CHECKUPS

A checkup with my doctor revealed a great report. I've lost 10 pounds since my last visit. My blood pressure was 120/80 and my heart rate was 58. I have a goal to lose another 15 pounds and keep it off. How much do I weigh? When I get back down to 185, I will tell you. That will take some discipline to keep up the exercise and push away from the table.

Checkups are good. It is good to check engine oil, tire pressure, air conditioning filters, and the list goes on.

What is the old saying, "Pay me now or pay me later"? It is cheaper and easier to do proper maintenance and checkups.

How many people have learned the health lessons too late? Too many pounds carried too many years and then pow! It hits them hard.

I have carried this extra weight just these last three years. Most of my life I have been real close to my "ideal" weight, but now I am headed back the right way.

Checkups are good. They show you right where you are. My doctor was real pleased. I am pleased too.

POSITIVE THINKING

Positive thinking works!

No, it doesn't guarantee that everything will be perfect, but it sure beats being blue and negative. Everyone has setbacks, bad days, and tough times. It isn't what happens to us that is the controlling factor, but rather it is how we react to life. Also, our positive choices point us in the right direction.

Monday when I arrive at church I found that someone had broken a huge glass window in our office. This is a glass wall approximately 8 ft by 10 or so. Someone had gotten into a fight as they walked by our church office and angrily punched their fist into the glass and knocked a hole in it. It didn't totally shader, but it was a mess.

Another passerby saw him do it and called the police and they caught the guy. He had to be taken to the hospital to get stitches and now is in jail. Was that dumb or what?

Well, when I was a young teenager, I actually knocked a hole in a wall because I was upset, but I learned. That isn't a smart thing to do. I had to learn. I pray that this guy learns too.

Positive thinking points us to a higher destiny. Yes, my day didn't begin so hot on Monday, but the glass will be repaired. Life goes on. A new day has dawned.

A 5 MILE RUN

Saturday I ran the 5m Ortega River Run. There were a couple thousand or so in the race and I finished about mid of the pack. I think I was the 959th person to finish and ran it in 54:03.

I could have finished higher but I started way back in the line almost totally in the back. That made me have to weave through several hundred runners as my pace was faster than they were running. Then because I started so far back, there were many more that I would have beaten if I had just started ahead of them as we were running the same pace.

Well, it was hot and humid. There more I ran the hotter it got. Whew! Sweat! More sweat! And whew again.

I learned that I need to hydrate my body more the day or so before doing longer runs. I need to leave off sweets. I need more carbs. I need to lose about 15 pounds.

The good news is that I did finish. I did not throw up. I had no ankle, leg, or back pain. All of that is really good as I had been battling muscle strains on my whole left side.

So the 15K Gate River Run is coming up in a little over a week. I need to run two long runs in the next week and then gear down. That is my plan. I will gear up quickly and then slow down and rest for the big event.

Finishing is a good feeling. It doesn't matter what we're doing. When we finish there is a feeling of completion, productivity, and satisfaction.

I plan on finishing the race. I mean the big race. The eternal race. With His help, I will finish strong.

NO PAIN

Have your ever seen a jogger with a smile? I haven't, even thought I have jogged for years. Jogging is work. It is sweat. It is stinky. It causes pain.

Since the end of last year, I have been training for the upcoming 15k Gate River Run on March 12. That is 9.3 miles. Whew!

During my training I have grunted and groaned. There has been pain and more pain as I have been attempting to get my body back into shape. This will be my fourth run, but it has been several years since my last run. So I have had to work to make it happen.

Three weeks ago I strained muscles on the left side of my right ankle. Man it hurt. After a couple of my runs I couldn't walk. Something had to give. I rested it some and sought insight how to quickly overcome the injury.

First, I prayed. Wanda prayed. We asked God for healing.

Second, I changed some poor running habits. I quit running on concrete sidewalks. I added a cushioned insole to running shoes. I changed my running gate with shorter strides.

It worked!

No pain, even after running 7 miles!

Prayer and common sense is a winner. Prayer works. Using your brains can help too.

THE BIG IDEA - PT 2

So what is "The Big Idea" for guys, or for girls to understand about guys?

It is all about investing in his ego. Even humble men have egos. That is why God said that women were to submit to their husbands. They were made with the need for respect, to be honored, to be given esteem.

In the previous post, I wrote about guys investing in the emotional bank of their gals and gave a short list of little ideas that support the big idea. Remember, when you read the following list that I wrote to the guys first. Thankfully, when Wanda read my list, she told me that I do almost all of them. I know I need to do a lot better, but I am trying.

Here goes my attempt on offering some little ideas for "The Big Idea" for the ladies:

Be happy with what he loves.

Don't belittle it or complain about what he loves.

Honor him.

Don't nag him into doing your short list.

Brag him into it.

Compliment him in front of others.

Never belittle him.

Make time for him to do what he likes.

Cook what he likes.

Give him the TV turner with a delicious piece of pie and coffee.

Take care of the details of the home.

Make him feel he is the king of the castle.

To get time, tenderness, and touch,

Give him good food, and peaceful home, and hot romance.

Let him sit in his nothing box.

Don't complain about it.

Give him thirty minutes when he gets home from work to unwind.

Complete him.

Don't compete with him.

Be happy without making him the source of your happiness.

Accept his shortcomings and love his strengths.

Talk more about his victories and talents.

When he finally talks, be a good listener.

Support his dreams.

Pray for him.

Let him lead even if he stumbles.

If he doesn't do what you want, be happy and let him come around to it.

Live Song and Solomon.

Build him up.

Build him up.

Build him up so more.

***

Oh, by the way, Wanda already understands "The Big Idea." She is fantastic!

A PAUSE TO REFRESH

I promised to write the "Big Idea" for men for today's blog, but I haven't finished writing it yet. So, it will happen Wednesday.

This weekend has been beautiful, just gorgeous.

Wanda and I worked briefly in the yard on Friday and went for a short ride down to Favor Dykes Park just south of St. Augustine and Saturday. They had a Florida Cracker Day with exhibits of old Florida. We stopped on the way down and got some barbecue and ate it while listening to some bands play.

While eating we keep hearing sounds of rifles shooting off in the distance. Later, we walked through the outdoor exhibits and heard more shooting. Actually, as we walked closer it was a man dressed in 1800 garb cracking his whip. It sounded just like guns going off. So that is where the term Florida cracker came from.

Riding "Big Red" is therapeutic. It helps get my mind off the worries of the day. Wanda is such a sport to ride with me. Fun! Fun! Fun!

THE BIG IDEA

Here is a great idea that works. It is not original and comes from a compilation of several sources. It is an investment program. It brings high yields. Never fails. Is Biblical. Fits every culture. Impacts every budget.

No, it is not Am-Way. Or a new calling card plan. You don't have to have a group meeting. But it does pyramid.

It is relational banking. This is how it works.

You daily put deposits in the emotional bank accounts of others, especially your spouse and children. You pour them in until the accounts are overflowing. It requires mere moments of time and often not the biggest efforts.

Want some idea of how to make "The Big Idea" work?

Here goes.

Guys,

Compliment her profusely.

Build her up.

Do the little things without having to be asked.

Take out the garbage.

Vacuum the carpet.

Make the bed.

Cook breakfast.

Be romantic.

Kiss her softly.

Tell her you love her.

Tell her often that you love her.

Send her a romantic text.

Take her to a new restaurant.

Bring her some flowers.

Write her a love note on a day that is not her birthday or other special day.

Do something kind for her family.

Listen to her.

Talk to her.

Talk some more.

Put the TV tuner down.

Like, now.

Let her choose the channel.

Put on some cologne.

Wear what she suggests without gripping.

Listen to her idea with respect.

Being willing to let her have a different opinion without you getting irritated.

Say something nice to her in front of others.

Hold her hand.

Open the door.

Think ahead to what she likes and do it.

Do it without complaining or expecting a reward.

Get the idea? I mean the "Big Idea?"

Do you think this will work? I know it will. It will drive her crazy over you. Her emotional bank account will overflow right into you.

So, what is the "Big Idea" for the ladies. That comes on Monday.