“A friend is someone who helps you up when you’re down, and if they can’t, they lay down beside you and listen.” Unknown

When is the last time you missed hearing something important because you were so busy? What was the outcome?

My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19; NLT)

This came to me a couple of weeks back and I thought it would make a great Friday story. As coaches, we’re trained to listen. Those of you who have known me for some time can remember that listening was not one of my strong suits. Now that I’ve been coaching for a little more than eight years, I’ve made significant improvements, but I recognize that I’ve got a ways to go yet. As Andrew Wommack, one of my mentors, says, “I ain’t there yet, but I’ve left.” This story will likely show you, just as it showed me, that maybe I’m not quite as far along as I thought.

Who is he?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Read the rest of this entry »

“The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth…or watch your food – just watch it, don’t eat it.” Edward Koch

How well are you doing with staying active during these winter months?

Because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Prov 3:12; NIV)

Our friend Gary enjoys life to the fullest. He embraces all that he does with great gusto! Last summer he was diagnosed with high blood pressure and was prescribed a common hypertensive drug which he began to take. Gary will be the first to confess that he was also carrying around some extra weight. He made the decision to do something about the excess weight and the high blood pressure.

Gary and his wife joined the gym where Jerry and I work out. He started with a rather vigorous routine on the recumbent bike. Due to a serious knee injury that occurred over a year ago, his knee has some residual damage. Gary needed to be cautious about how and what he did to begin his exercise program. But he was diligent. He worked out in the mornings on the bike and then returned at the end of the day with his wife to work on the weight machines. He also made some dietary changes, consumed less food, and “cut way back on the sodas.” (BTW, he didn’t ask for my advice — he probably knows I would have been a little more firm about his dietary choices.)

Gary consistently monitored his blood pressure, and after a few short weeks, his readings were drastically decreased. He was soon able to decrease and then completely stop the medication. His blood pressure remains stable and “textbook.” He hit a few rough patches in December with his exercise, but he’s been back at it for several weeks now.

Jerry and I also have the pleasure of seeing Gary on Sunday mornings at church. There is less and less of him to see each week. He looks strong, healthy, and smaller! He’s dropped several waist sizes and keeps cinching in that belt. He says he still has a number of pounds to lose, but he’s well on his way. Amazing what a little consistency and determination can do. Way to go Gary! We’re all proud of you.

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You that You are always with us, guiding, directing, and protecting us. We thank You for the wisdom and knowledge that You provide for us.

Link of the Day
Low Glycemic Eating

Blessings on you as you remain consistent with what God is calling you to do.

“My ongoing prayer for you as my client will be that God will clearly define for you the path you are to take and that every day and every decision will be in partnership with Him.”  Sandee Strunk

What one thing could you do to take better care of your health, starting today?

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  (Romans 8:28; KJV)

As our dear friend and Internet specialist, Dr. Randy Peck frequently says, people like to read short stories of success and transformed lives.  Another quip I’ve heard from a successful entrepreneur is “Facts tell, stories sell.”  Not that I’m selling anything here other than hope and encouragement for your daily lives.  This is another story of healing and hope. 

I had heard Sandee’s name mentioned several years ago in conjunction with the coach training organization that Jerry and I are a part of.  I knew she had a successful counseling practice and had recently moved to the DC area.  We first met at a dinner where several other coaches were in attendance.  Sandee was warm and approachable.  However, I could tell that she didn’t feel well.

Sandee recently shared with me that several people had mentioned my name to her along with telling her some of my story.  It was also suggested that she contact me.  Several months after that dinner meeting Sandee did contact me.  I learned that although she had been a successful business owner, Christian counselor, and busy wife and mother, she had also struggled with health challenges for a number of years.

Although Sandee has a solid foundation in nutrition and wellness, she wasn’t able to cross her current hurdle.  Allergy symptoms had reared their head with a vengeance bringing with them severe fatigue, malaise, and “foggy” thinking.  At one point in her quest for regaining her health, she was forced to close her busy and successful counseling  practice.

I was able to come along side Sandee and offer resources, books, websites, and other little tidbits that had helped me to regain my health.  She made some dietary shifts and also began a solid nutritional supplement regimen.  Like me, her recovery took some time.  However, she’s now gone many months without getting a sinus infection, which is a great improvement from before.  She has stamina and energy to be a successful coach and writer.  She has an e-commerce business along with a wellness and nutritional business.  Since she has a passion for writing, she loves coaching others who have a book inside them that needs written.  Gone are the days of dragging herself from one room to the other and not being able to continue with a stream of thought.  She’s also able to exercise and has been able to lose weight and become more fit.  Oh, a 30 pound weight loss I might add!

What a joy and privilege it has been to walk alongside this “success story!”  Sandee has also become a dear friend.  Way to go girl!

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You for Sandee and the many lives she touches each day.  Bless her business in a rich and abundant way.

Link of the Day
Living Waters Coach

Blessings on you as you seek to find answers to becoming as healthy as you can be.