“You may not be able to change your environment, but you can always change your mind.”  Alan Cohen

How willing are you to change your mind?

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little.  (Phil. 4:11; NLT)

I’m passing along a powerful story that I received earlier in the month.  The message it carries is profound and poignant.  Enjoy!

A Public Proposal
by Alan Cohen

It was after 11 p.m. — the overbooked flight was already an hour late for takeoff, and the crowd was getting grumpy. If ever there was a chance to practice peace in the midst of annoyance, this was it.

Finally we were herded onto the plane and I settled into my seat, with hopes of getting some shuteye. As soon as we reached cruising altitude, the flight attendant’s voice boomed over the P.A. system: “Ladies and gentlemen, one of our passengers would like to request your assistance with a special event he is planning when we land.

Dave in seat 17B is going to propose to his girlfriend, who is meeting him at the gate. He would like you to help him deliver some flowers to her. If 24 of you would each get one rose from Dave and give it to his lady before he gets off the plane, you can participate in his proposal. Dave will show you a photo of Heidi… to make sure the right lady gets the flowers.”

Ah, what a wonderful idea! I wanted to participate, but I was seated too far from Dave to get to a rose before the other passengers. When we landed, however, I was one of the first off the plane, and I positioned myself off to the side to watch the romantic spectacle.

Sure enough, there stood a lovely young woman waiting for her man. One by one, passengers exited the aircraft, each with a red rose in hand. With a smile, each person delivered a flower to Heidi, who shyly received them. Then the passengers formed a semi-circle behind Heidi, waiting for Dave and the Big Question.

Finally all the passengers had left the aircraft — except for Dave. The flight crew exited, but the groom-to-be was still conspicuously absent. Then the pilot and copilot emerged. They closed the door behind them, commenting, “Well, I guess that’s it for the night.” The crowd stood silently, watching, waiting, and hoping. Had Dave chickened out?

Suddenly, with all the aplomb of a Hollywood epic, the airplane door swung open one last time, now to reveal a handsome young man in a bright sailor suit. Dave had arrived. The audience breathed a welcome sigh of relief.

The knight in white, carrying yet another dozen red roses, strode proudly to his lady-in-waiting (who by now looked like Miss America, flowers piled to her nose). Tears streamed down her cheeks as she nervously watched her man approach, knowing full well what was about to happen.

Dave presented her with the flowers and ceremoniously dropped to one knee. The audience was rapt. By now it was nearly 1 a.m., but no one was going anywhere. Over 100 people fell silent and watched with awe.

Then he did it. He really did it. Dave produced a glittering gold ring and asked Heidi, “Will you marry me?” Of course she would. She tearfully nodded, and he slipped the ring onto her quivering fourth finger. With that, a great cheer and burst of applause went up from the jubilant crowd. The ovation reverberated through the silent airport, and probably still echoes today.

One by one, the group congratulated the couple and then we all made our way toward baggage claim together. The corridor was filled with laughter, chatter, and storytelling. People were happy.

Then something very profound occurred to me: the entire crowd had been transformed. Over a hundred people who had been tired, impatient, and frazzled two hours earlier, were suddenly awake, joy-filled, and playing with each other. Such is the transformative power of one sincere expression of love.

We have been told that energy and fatigue depend on the time of day, how many hours of sleep we have had, stress, environment, age, and many other factors. Yet here was a group of people who had been awake for a long time, traveling under stressful conditions in an unnatural environment, yet they had more energy when they got off the plane than when they began!

Energy and happiness have little to do with what is going on around you, and a lot to do with what is going on inside you. You can find yourself in ideal conditions and be miserable, and you can be in the most adverse conditions and soar. Environment and physical factors may influence us, but attitude makes or breaks us. You may not be able to change your environment, but you can always change your mind.

Joy is the wild card of life; it supersedes every other formula for success. If you can find a way to create joy, you can rise beyond all external factors. If you can play at whatever you are doing, you are the master of your life. And if you should ever have the occasion to make a public proposal, you can take a planeload of 100 bugged and weary people, and turn their evening into a party they will never forget.

Prayer Power
Lord, we thank you for the ability you’ve given us to change our physical and emotional situations by simply choosing to change our attitudes.  Oh that we would learn to walk in that knowledge and understanding day by day.

Link of the Day
Alan Cohen’s website

Blessings on you as you purpose to change your environment by changing your mind.
 

“Your mind is going to be working on something or other.  That’s its nature.”  Robert Fritz

What does your mind tend to work on most of the time?

My mind reels; my heart races. The sleep I once enjoyed at night is now a faint memory. I lie awake, trembling.  (Isa. 21:4; NLT)

Here’s yet another little gem that I’ve gleaned from the book by Robert Fritz that I’m currently reading (Your Life as Art) — The nature of your mind is to always be working on something.  Here we go again…should you allow it to choose the task of its own liking and just go along for the ride (victim) or should you guide and direct it to be working on something of your choosing (responsible)?

Interesting thought, isn’t it?  Recall that earlier this week we talked about the advantages of being a creator instead of a problem solver.  Some people take great delight and pride in solving problems.  (Is it possible that they’ve just never been exposed to the idea that solving problems is a distant second best?)  Fritz contends that, left undirected, your mind is naturally going to choose to solve problems and thereby engage in all the activities normally associated with problem solving, e.g., fretting, worrying, pondering, dreading, brooding, and struggling.  Sound like fun?

The alternative, again according to Fritz, is to “give your mind a bigger, more productive tension to work on.  If you don’t, naturally it will gravitate toward the problems because it is trying to resolve the conflict the problems provoke.”  He uses the word tension, and if you’ll recall from the 6/20 DG describing the creative process, that tension naturally comes from a clear articulation of a desired future and the current reality.  His use of the tension is as a friend, drawing you toward your desired future.

So, you can fall prey to the “tyranny of the urgent,” i.e., dealing with the day-to-day problems we all face — those things we are trying to “avoid, eradicate, or eliminate.”  Or, by simply making a clear decision about what it is that you desire along with a clear description of what the current situation is, your mind will automatically begin to gravitate toward resolving that larger tension and thereby focusing on “creating, building, or producing.”

Hmmmm, makes me think of  Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you life and death…therefore choose life.” 

Have a better than fantastic weekend!!!

Prayer Power
Lord, we are so often caught up in fretting, worrying, pondering, dreading, brooding, and struggling.  Your Instruction Manual tells us clearly not to do that.  Yet it has become a way of life for many.  Grant us the grace and the faith, to be able to de-stress and be more purposeful in believing and acting on the promises You have made to us.

Link of the Day
Your Life as Art

Blessings on you as you chill this weekend and focus on defining your true desired future.
 

“At one time coconut oil was a significant part of the American diet.”  Cherie Calbom

What changes are you making with your eating habits that will reap dividends for years to come?

The priest is to sprinkle the blood against the altar of the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the LORD.  (Lev 17:6; NIV)

Last week I introduced coconut oil to you all.  That may have been a first introduction for some of you.  Others may have heard or read controversy around coconut oil.  For years we as Americans have been told to avoid anything with tropical oils, thinking it would send us to the nearest ER with a massive coronary.  As with all stories, there are two sides to this one as well.

There is a lot to this story but I’ve tried to distil it down to small, readable bites.  During WW II, when the Japanese occupied most of the Philippines and the South Pacific, supplies of coconut oil were cut off for several years.  Americans were forced to turn to alternative sources of cooking oils.  That’s when many of the polyunsaturated oils came on the scene.

Then some research studies emerged which said that eating saturated fats causes high triglyceride levels.  The research claimed that ALL saturated fats raise cholesterol levels and should be eliminated from the diet, including coconut oil.  However, modern research has proven that not all saturated fats are the same.  As I mentioned last week coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs).

When you digest MCTs, they’re immediately transported to your liver to be metabolized. They don’t get stored in your body cells like typical fats. These fats follow a ‘healthier’ pathway in your body.  MCTs don’t raise cholesterol levels or contribute to heart disease.  We now know those old studies were done on hydrogenated coconut oils, a highly processed form of coconut oil completely different than virgin coconut oil.

Research also shows that the vegetable oil industry spearheaded an aggressive campaign to discredit saturated fats and promote polyunsaturated vegetable oils.  The media flooded the public promoting polyunsaturated propaganda.  Dr. Bruce Fife writes about the refining process of these oils.  “The oil is separated from its source with heat and hydraulic pressure.  After the first pressing, the remaining pulp is treated further with additional heat, pressure, and petroleum solvents.  The oil is then boiled to evaporate the toxic solvents.  Chemical preservatives are added to retard oxidation.  Modern processing removes all of the non-oil components of the seed, making the oil colorless, tasteless, odorless, and completely lacking in nutrients.”  These oils are also known to cause inflammation in the body.  Inflammation causes breakdown at the cellular level.  Not pretty.

If you’ve not experimented with using coconut oil yet, I believe you’ll be in for a delight.  What are you waiting for?  Send me an email if you have questions about this unsung hero.

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You for all of your good and wonderful gifts.  We thank You that You have provided what we need to walk in divine health.  May we be diligent in seeking out truth and walking in what we learn.

Link of the Day
The Great Fat Debate – Why Virgin Coconut Oil Is Best

Blessings on you as you look into making an oil change.
 

“Your life is not a problem to be solved. It is a creation in process.”  Robert Fritz

Why do so many people love to solve problems?  Is that the best thing?  Why or why not?

Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.  (Gen. 1:26a; NLT)

I’ve often heard it said that men tend to be problem solvers.  In fact, it came out in a recent marriage seminar that Sharon and I attended…something to the effect that often when a woman tells a man about a problem she’s having, she doesn’t necessarily want a solution–she just wants to talk about it.  Where we men often get into trouble is that we don’t want to talk about it.  We just want to solve it.  “Why are you telling me all this if you don’t want a solution?”  Ever been there?

I’m getting some really fresh, new perspective from this book by Robert Fritz that I’m currently reading (Your Life as Art).  Check out this quote, “A problem solving orientation limits your creative process.”  Wow!  Say that to your favorite engineer–and duck!

Fritz’s logic utilizes four interesting arguments.  First, when we’re focused on solving a problem, we are motivated to do so because we are trying to move away from something we don’t want.  To see the the fallacy in that approach, check out the 6/18 DG.  On the other hand, we are motivated to create when we are trying to move toward a desired end.

Second, it’s the problem that is driving our actions–not the desired future.  That is unquestionably based on focusing on what we don’t want.  How many times have we beat on that horse?  Remember, what you focus on, grows.

Third, and I love this, if we are successful in driving away what we don’t want, there is no guarantee that we will correspondingly replace it with what we do want.  Recall the amazing fact that most people can’t begin to tell you what they do want…they can only tell you what they don’t want.  It was that great American philosopher, Yogi Berrra, who said, “You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.”

Finally, Fritz says, “problem solving can lead to mindlessness.”  Now I’ve been accused of many things, but it’s been a few days since anyone accused me of being mindless.  Seriously, if you spend your life reacting to circumstances, you might as well be mindless.  If you had half a mind, why not focus it on what you do want and apply that thinking and creativity toward achieving your desired future.  I believe all would agree that such a strategy would be far more gratifying than spending your life solving problems.

There is absolutely a time and a place where it is appropriate to solve problems.  “But that place should be an exception to the norm.”

Prayer Power
Lord, as I reflect on this idea of being a creator rather than a problem solver, I see that it is much more in line with being made in Your image that we utilize our gifts and abilities to create.  Guide us as we redeem the time that we’ve all spent focusing on the work of the enemy rather than on the work of The Creator.

Link of the Day
Robert Fritz on The Problem

Blessings to you as you begin to make this fundamental shift away from focusing on your problems.
 

“We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.”  Socrates

How do you respond when introduced to a new and different food?  Why is that?

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (Ja 1:17; NIV)

Tabouli or (Tabouleh) is a Middle Eastern Arabic salad dish.  It is traditionally made with bulgur wheat, fresh parsley, tomatoes, and onions with an olive oil and lemon juice dressing.  As our final picnic food for the month of June, I’d like to introduce you to tabouli, with a twist. 

Rather than using the traditional bulgur wheat, today’s recipe uses a grain called quinoa.  Quinoa, pronounced KEEN-wah, is an amino acid-rich grain that has a fluffy, creamy, slightly crunchy texture and a somewhat nutty flavor when cooked.  Years ago when I was ill and was allergic to most common foods, I discovered quinoa as something I could tolerate.  I ate a lot of then.  It’s only in recent years that it has become more well-known and easy to find.  You’ll find it in the health food section of your grocery store along with other grains such as oats and bulgur.

Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is a complete protein, meaning that it includes all of the essential amino acids.  Quinoa is also a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, and phosphorus, all of which are vital minerals our bodies need.

Here are some tips for preparing quinoa.  A substance called saponins coats the quinoa seeds.  Even though cultivation and processing removes much of the saponins, I find it is still necessary to thoroughly wash the grain to remove any remaining residue.  I place the grain in a mesh strainer and then run water over it for a few minutes, gently rubbing the grains together with my fingers.  Then I place the quinoa in a bowl and cover it with “good” water and allow it to soak for a few hours.  I then drain that water off when I’m ready to prepare and cook the grain.  This soaking makes it easier to digest and reduces the cooking time.   Cooking directions are in today’s recipe.  When cooking is complete, the grains become translucent, and the germ of the grain will partially detach itself, looking like a spiraled tail.  It has a mild flavor and can be used as a breakfast cereal or in place of rice in other dishes.  Enjoy!

Prayer Power
Father, we continue to be amazed at Your goodness and Your mighty hand of provision for us.  We thank You for your moment by moment blessings.

Link of the Day
Quinoa Tabouli

Blessings on you as you experiment with eating tabouli and/or quinoa.
 

“A positive argument is as weak as a negative argument, and we need something more substantial than action that runs off our emotions, good, bad, or indifferent.”  Robert Fritz

Are you motivated to action more by fear of what you don’t want or by the promise of what you do want?

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live!  (Deut. 30:19; NLT)

The last couple of DGs (6/18 and 6/20) have centered around setting a properly stated goal that motivates you and then taking appropriate actions steps to move you toward that desired future from your current reality.  Inspiration for those thoughts and for today’s DG come from an excellent book I’m currently reading entitled Your Life as Art by Robert Fritz. 

Today, I’d like to key in on that word “motivates.”  There are a couple of commonly used techniques to motivate us to do things we wouldn’t ordinarily want to do–one is with a threat of punishment or negative consequences (the “stick”), and the other is with the promise of a reward or a positive outcome (the “carrot”).  Various schools of thought prefer one over the other, but Fritz explains why neither work very well for very long.

Let’s start with the stick.  Led by a vision of a very undesirable outcome, we are motivated to take action we would probably not otherwise take in order to head off that particular outcome.  Doing that action makes us feel a little better because we were pro-active in heading off the terrible outcome.  Now that we feel better, will we continue that defensive action long enough to truly make a difference?  Well, we might for a while, but each time we take that action, we feel a little less threatened by the threat and eventually, the unpleasantness of the defensive action becomes greater than the threat of the outcome that motivated us to action in the first place.  So over time, the threat ceases to motivate.

The carrot, on the other hand, is equally unreliable as a long-term motivator.  The carrot relies on the inspiration that comes from thinking about all the great things that will happen to us if we will just consistently take that action that we would probably not otherwise take.  The problem with this is that inspiration is fickle–sometimes it’s there in great measure and sometimes it’s missing in action.  On those MIA days, it’s often easier to just not do what we need to keep doing to get the carrot.  And to make it worse, inspiration-driven action reduces the inspiration over time just as the fear-driven action associated with the stick gradually reduces the fear.

According to Fritz, the way out of this dilemma is to learn to “think hierarchically.”  That simply means to recognize what’s more important to us and what’s less important.  If the positive outcome we desire is more important than the discomfort of the actions we would rather not perform, then we will be motivated to do those actions anyway.  All this points to the need to carefully determine and define your desired future or your goal.  When chosen with care, the goal will provide all the motivation necessary to cause the consistent action necessary for success.  That’s one of the reasons why adopting someone else’s goal for you is so dangerous.  Chances are that the motivation to “push through” will dissipate over time.

Prayer Power
Lord, give us the grace to be able to accurately define and articulate those things that are truly most important to us.  Help us to recognize and break free from goals others have established for us.

Link of the Day
Robert Fritz on Change

Blessings on you as you dig deep to get at your most significant desires.
 

What are you trying to create in your life?

He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze.  (Exodus 35:32; NLT)

A couple of days ago (6/18 DG), I wrote about the importance of stating a goal, or describing something you desire to create, in terms of what you want instead of what you don’t want.  In other words, the goal should not be a statement of what you’re wanting to move away from–it should be a statement of what you want to move to.  I also made the statement that it is important to be able to articulate specifically what you want to move away from, but just not as part of the goal statement.  Allow me explain myself.

Sharon and I are studying a new structure that we’re learning in the context of our wellness business.  We’re excited to realize that it’s not only applicable to that business, but to our coaching business, and to almost any other area of our lives where we want to move from our current reality to a desired future.  The process is called the creative process and has been developed over the course of several years by Robert Fritz, widely recognized as an expert in the area of structural dynamics.

It’s an incredibly powerful proces while amazingly simple at the same time.  You start by stating your goal or desired future.  And of course, that’s what we’ve been talking about up until now.  It must be a goal stated in terms of what you want, not what you don’t want anymore.  I won’t go into it here, but a goal should be a SMART goal to be effective (SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time specific).  With me so far?

Next, you need to articulate the current reality, or where you are now.  I believe you can see the necessity for this–for example, if your goal is to go to Chicago, it would be helpful to know whether you’re in Virginia Beach or in Los Angeles.  Otherwise you’re feet might get pretty wet.  It’s in this step of articulating current reality that it’s entirely appropriate to state what you want to move away from.  In actual point of fact, the more dissatisfied you are with your current reality, the more power (Fritz calls it “structural tension”) you will have to move toward your goal.  So there is an actual advantage in making what you don’t want sound as unlikable as you can while still being truthful about it.

Then finally, the last step in the creative process is to define a few action steps (along with dates) that will move you toward where you want to be.  They don’t have to be big, gargantuan steps…they could be quite simple and small steps.  An amazing fact is that, over time, the even the smallest of steps will add up to that big gargantuan step.  If you ‘re not too sure about what steps to take, follow the Nike commercials, “Just Do It!”  Just do something…anything.  Action is the magic key to goal attainment.  Of course the action has got to be moving you in the right direction. 

And that’s the beauty of the creative process.  What if you find your action steps have been taking you in the wrong direction?  Simply stop doing those action items and replace them with ones that are going in the right direction.  No failure!  No condemnation!  It’s just a learning process.  It’s growth!  You’ve learned that what you were doing is going in the wrong direction.  Just make the change.  No big deal.  Isn’t that simple?  And empowering?  All you need to add is a little support in the form of accountability and you’re off and running toward fulfillment of another goal.  Hallelujah!!!

Prayer Power
Father God, help us to see that since we were formed in Your image, that we were designed to create.  Encourage our hearts to step out and utilize that God-given capability.

Link of the Day
Robert Fritz on Structural Tension

Blessings on you as you begin to see yourself as responsible for creating your current reality.
 

“Coconuts may make you think of rich desserts-and calories-but the truth is far more slimming!”  Cherie Calbom

If there was an oil you could use for your daily cooking needs that helped protect you from heart disease, cancer, and other degenerative conditions, and strengthened your immune system, and helped you lose weight, would you want to know about it?

The vine has dried up, And the fig tree has withered; The pomegranate tree, The palm tree also, And the apple tree — All the trees of the field are withered; Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.  (Joel 1:12; NKJ)

If you’re read some of the recipes on our website, you’ve no doubt seen my recommendation for using coconut oil.  I know many heads cock and eyebrows rise when I mention coconut oil.  “Isn’t that bad for us?”  Or, “Isn’t that fattening?” are two questions often raised when I mention using coconut oil.  In reality, coconut oil is one of the healthiest, most versatile dietary oils in the world.

Coconut oil is a stable, healthy saturated fat that is naturally free from the harmful, trans-fatty acids. It contains medium-chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid, which supports the immune system and helps to cleanse the body of toxins and other pathogens.  Coconut oil is different from other oils commonly used in America.  Most American oils are made from seeds such as soybeans, canola (rapeseeds), safflower seeds, sunflower seeds, and cottonseeds. These seed oils are predominately made of triglycerides containing long chain fatty acids.  This difference affects how the body utilizes the oil.  Because of the ease in how medium chain fatty acids are digested and metabolized, coconut oil can be used even when people have compromised digestive systems.

Because of the structure of the oil, coconut oil is burned for energy rather than being stored. This tends to increase the bodies metabolism. People with under-active thyroid glands often discover their basal temperature becomes normal from the use of coconut oil, especially when combined with a healthy diet and life-style.  According to Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and author of several books about coconut oil, this oil is the healthiest oil on earth.  Modern research actually validates this bold statement.  Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.

Today’s link features Dr. Joseph Mercola teaching about the benefits and value of coconut oil.  While he offers coconut oil on his site, I usually buy coconut oil from a different source.  Wilderness Family Naturals and Tropical Traditions also offers coconut oil.  You may find some in health food stores.  Look for organic, or extra virgin, cold pressed oil.  The oil will be solid and white at temperatures below about 75 degrees.  When the weather is hot as it’s been here the past several weeks, the oil will become a clear liquid.  I use coconut oil for anything requiring a heated oil such as sautéing vegetables, scrambling eggs, or making a stir-fry.

Next time I’ll chat a little about how and why coconut oil got such a bad name.  In the meantime, begin exploring your local health food store or internet for organic or extra virgin coconut oil.

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You for providing healthful and beneficial fats for our bodies.  I pray that our readers will do their due-diligence and learn about the benefits of using coconut oil in their diets.

Link of the Day
Here’s the Smarter Oil Alternative

Blessings on you as you begin to explore using coconut oil.

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”  Lao-Tzu

Where will you be one year from today if you do not change your direction?

And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  (Phil. 4:8; NLT)

What life goals are you pursuing?  Are you wanting to shed some pounds, or perhaps wanting to lower your blood pressure, or just have fewer and fewer headaches?  Or, are you simply wanting to attain good health?  Can you see a difference?

Look at another major area of challenge for many folks–finances.  What financial goals are you going after?  Are you wanting to get out from under all these bills that seem to come in so frequently, or are you wanting to reduce your large mortgage or monthly car payment?  Or are you simply wanting to achieve financial freedom–whatever definition you put on that term?  Can you see the difference?

Yes, the differences are subtle.  They are small.  To some they may seem trivial, largely semantical, and maybe even nonsensical.  But I would like to propose that the differences are huge and will have a major impact on whether or not you ever attain your goal.

You see in one case they are stated as what you are running from, trying to avoid, unsatisfied with, etc.  In essence, they are stated from a rather negative point-of-view.  On the other hand, the other goals are stated in a more positive manner, i.e., what it is that you are running toward, wanting to bring into reality. 

Did you know that most people can’t answer the simple question, “What do you want in life?”  They can easily tell you what they don’t want, but can’t begin to tell you what they do want.  Their response to the question will always be stated in terms of what they don’t want.  Isn’t that sad?  Where is their focus?  Obviously, it’s on what they’re dissatisfied with.  We’ve talked before about how what you focus on multiplies and grows.  Are you beginning to see the problem here?

When defining a goal, you want the focus to be on where you want to be rather than on where you are.  Don’t misunderstand me, both are important, and in one of the upcoming DG’s we’ll talk more about the importance of really getting a handle on where you currently are.  But for the goal articulation step, the focus should always be on what it is that you are wanting to see.

Prayer Power
Lord, help us see that how we say something can be even more important than what we say.  Sometimes our rational minds just can’t grasp that something so insignificant as how we say something can possibly have any bearing on the outcome.  Give us the grace to recognize that we don’t have all the answers just yet, and begin to accept the reality that our subconscious mind is orders of magnitude more important in our daily lives than is our conscious mind.

Link of the Day
Personal Goal Setting

Blessings on you as you rephrase some of your goals in terms of what you want rather than what you don’t want.
 

“Chicken salad has a certain glamour about it. Like the little black dress, it is chic and adaptable anywhere.”  Laurie Colwin

What one thing can you do this week to make a positive deposit in your health?

Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl.  (I Kings 4:22-23; NIV)

Continuing with our picnic theme this month, today’s recipe highlights chicken salad.  Most people enjoy chicken salad and many people have a favorite recipe.  I can still recall the first time I had “gourmet” chicken salad on a fresh croissant at an upscale restaurant in downtown Rochester, New York.  I’m not sure if the elegance of the surroundings made it so memorable or if the chicken salad really was that good.  Chicken salad can be simple and it can be elegant. 

According to Wikipedia, chicken salad was first made by Liam Gray in the New England state of Rhode Island in the late 1800s. His original recipe consisted of leftover chicken, chicken drippings, an oil/egg mixture and small seedless grapes.  In one form, diced or shredded chicken (dark or white meat, or a combination of both) is dressed with mayonnaise, mustard , or sour cream. Fruits and vegetables may be added such as diced onions, bell peppers, celery, grapes, or apples. Some cooks add other seasonings, which might include curry powder or dill pickles.

I’ve varied the ingredients I’ve used in chicken salad throughout the years.  A few years ago, I discovered the delight of adding curry powder to chicken salad.  If you enjoy the taste of curry powder, you’ll like the distinctive flavor it brings to chicken salad.  Grapes add sweetness to the salad and pecans add a nice crunch.

As a side note, I always try and buy organically grown grapes as commercial grapes, especially imported ones are sprayed heavily with pesticides.    If you can’t locate organic grapes, then wash the grapes with a produce wash found in health food stores or in your local grocery store.  I use one called Bi-O-Kleen Concentrated Produce Wash.

Prayer Power
We thank You Lord for Your wonderful provision for us each and every day.  We thank You that Your mercies are new every morning.

Link of the Day
Curried Chicken Salad

Blessings on you as you enjoy some chicken salad.