“What other people think of you is none of your business.”

How much time did you spend yesterday just sitting alone…in silence?

Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.  (Psa. 46:10; NLT)

I enjoy good quotes.  And I love great photography.  Particularly of kids and animals.  Today’s link is a Powerpoint presentation sent to me by a friend that hits all three of those “love” buttons.  Seemed like a great segue into what promises to be a magnificent weekend.

Now that I’ve gotten through Brian Klemmer’s The Compassionate Samurai, I’m really eager to start something new.  I’ve been listening to some great new (to me) teaching on the brain over the last couple of days.  I want to share that with you.  I’ve also been reading an incredible book called The Shack.  I’m sure many of you have already read it.  I’ve got some pretty strong opinions (all positive) on The Shack that I’m eager to share.  And I’ve also been reading another fantastic book that delves into several more of those “universal laws” that I’ve never seen before.  I’ve got so much exciting stuff to share…I feel like a kid in a candy store.

One final quote from today’s link…”No one is in charge of your happiness except you.”  How true that is!!!  Make it a fantastic weekend.  It’s always your choice.

Prayer Power
Lord, life really is good and we are definitely too blessed to be stressed.  Thank You for being so good to us.

Link of the Day
Enjoy the Ride

Blessings on you as you slow down, relax, and enjoy the ride.

“When your value system and corresponding actions become congruent with the call of God on your life, you will become unstoppable!”  Sharon Graham

How does the “rhythm of your life” coincide with your values?

To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding,  (Prov. 1:2; NKJ)

What do you do every day that’s part of your daily routine?  Do you call your children each morning?  Or perhaps you call your parents every evening?  Maybe it’s just a short, “Hi, how are things going?”  Maybe you have a special grandchild that you stay in touch with routinely.

One friend of mine packs lunches every evening for her husband and other family members for the next day.  Another couple who we’ve known for years spends time together each evening in prayer for their friends and family.  It’s like clockwork for them.  Hopefully, you’re flossing and brushing your teeth at least once a day (at least the teeth you want to keep).

Many of you have a daily discipline of spending time with our Heavenly Father, perhaps reading a daily devotional or motivational book along with reading Scripture.  Life develops into a rhythm and for the most part certain actions are performed every day.

May I propose to you that exercise can also be a part of that daily rhythm?  For many of you, it is.  For others, with some effort, it can become that.  Jerry writes a great deal about how our thinking affects our actions and outcomes.  May I challenge our non-exercisers to not think of exercise as something “I have to do!”  Exercise is something we GET to do.  It’s a privilege.  We’re granted only one physical body.  And as the saying goes, “Where are you going to live when your body wears out?”

Having spent time with my mother over Christmas, I again wasn’t able to do my normal exercise routine.  I was so eager to return home and get back to the gym.  My body really missed the exercise.  After a couple of days of once again working out, I realized how much this is a part of me.  It’s part of the rhythm of life.  It’s something I GET to do and my body rewards me by working more efficiently and staying strong.  What can you do to make your body sing with happiness?

Prayer Power
Father, thank You for our amazing physical bodies and all that they can do.  May we seek You for how to give them the best possible care that we can.

Link of the Day
The Benefits of Daily Exercise

Blessings on you as you learn to include exercise into your “Rhythm of Life.”

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” - Shunryo Suzuki-Roshi

What was the last occasion that led you to say, “Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt?”

A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.  (Prov. 15:14; NLT)

Epitaph for the average man or woman:  John Average Man.  Born 1900.  Died 1940.  Buried 1983.  Think about it…how many over 40 John Averages have you encountered?  Some die even earlier.  Some die when they graduate from college.  Some when they graduate from High School.  You’ve probably figured out that I’m not talking about physical death here, but instead, emotional, spiritual, or mental death.

You see, you’re either growing or you’re dying.  If you refuse to grow because you’ve “been there, done that,”  or because you’re tired of learning, or any of a thousand other reasons (aka excuses), you’re dead!  Oh, you might still be taking more than your fair share of room on the planet or breathing more than your fair share of air, but you’re dead nevertheless.

The last character trait of The Compassionate Samurai covered by Brian Klemmer in his latest book is Knowledge, or a constant eagerness to learn.  I’ve heard it said that the instant you decide you know something, you stop learning.  Contrast that with someone who has a beginner’s mind.  That person will humbly admit that there is always more to learn.

Also note that a beginner’s mind can learn just as effectively from someone half his chronological age, from someone who is in a subordinate role, from people with significantly lower IQ’s, from people they don’t know, and/or maybe doesn’t even speak their language.

A beginner’s mind doesn’t mean you don’t know anything.  On the contrary, it simply means that in spite of what you already know, you’re willing to approach the subject with brand-new eyes.  Take what you know, put it on the shelf and hear the other person as if you were a total beginner.  Then when all is said and done, you have every right to choose to reject everything you heard, accept part of it and reject the rest, or replace your old understanding with the new.  The beginner’s mind does not mean you’re gullible.  Rather it means that you humbly admit that you just might not know it all.

Give it a try.  You might just learn something.  And for sure, those around you will respect and appreciate you more than ever before.

Prayer Power
Lord, grace us with the humility to have a beginner’s mind toward everything…including our understanding of You.  There is so much that we don’t know.

Link of the Day
Beginner’s Mind

Blessings on you as you purpose to listen to other people with a beginner’s mind.

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“Health is a large word.  It embraces not the body only but the mind and spirit as well…and not today’s pain or pleasure alone, but the whole being and outlook of man.”  James H. West

After reviewing your overall health in 2008, how would you like your health to be different at the end of 2009?  What changes are you willing to make?

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father…(Prov. 29:3a; NIV)

Yes, the time for New Year’s resolutions, fad dieting and joining a gym are upon us.  What changes will you be making as you begin a new year?  How do you want 2009 to be different for you than 2008 with regard to your stamina, your energy levels, and your sleep?  There is a lot that you can do to turn the rudder around on your own health cruise ship.

As I’ve been pondering recipes and thinking about the upcoming year of Daily Grams, I was reflecting somewhat on my own health metamorphosis.  Even though we’ve eaten a healthy diet of whole foods for many years, my food preparations have changed as I’ve learned more about how foods affect the human body.

When I began eating a whole foods diet in the late 1970’s (I know that was before many of you were a twinkle in your Daddy’s eye), there was precious little information available about what constituted healthy eating.  I did a great deal of trial and error.  As I’ve mentioned before, I ate a vegetarian diet for a number of years.  Yes, we ate a lot of vegetables and fruit but we also ate a lot of grains.  Whole grains were thought to be a health food panacea.  They still are in many circles today as well.  I literally have an entire recipe box full of bread, muffin, biscuit, cracker, and scone recipes.  Some may ask, “Why aren’t they posted on your blog?”

When I’ve created recipes for the blog, I’ve attempted to use the most whole food ingredients possible.  I avoid using (and eating) refined carbohydrates.  I choose and create recipes that use lean, clean protein avoiding pork products and shellfish.  I use lots of vegetables and fresh fruits.  I also use various legumes (beans) and many nuts such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts.  Organic dairy products also find their way into my kitchen.  For years I avoided all dairy but I now do use specific organic dairy products.   I also choose to use foods lower on the glycemic index so that’s why you rarely see white potatoes in any recipe.  Here’s to a healthier YOU in 2009.

Prayer Power
Father, we are so blessed by the New Year that You have granted us.  May we seek You for all that we are to be about during this upcoming year.

Link of the Day
Cashew Curry Dip

Blessings on you as you enjoy some cashew curry dip!

I just got word that the first of a series of articles on Complementary and Alternative Medicine that I’m writing was just published on Ezinearticles.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine, aka CAM, appears to provide the only reasonable solution to the exploding level of fear and anxiety that is consuming our modern society.  The stress and disease that emerges as a result of all that fear and anxiety creates an unacceptably high cost that has exacerbated the crisis in our modern health care system.

Click here to check it out.  I believe you will find it interesting.

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.  Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.  We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”  Maya Angelou

What is holding you back from living up to your potential?

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.  (Acts 4:13; NLT)

Continuing with the list of character traits of The Compassionate Samurai from Brian Klemmer’s latest book, we start 2009 with the next to last trait on his list, courage or boldness.  Webster defines courage as the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult or painful, instead of withdrawing from it.  Klemmer points out that to do something when you’re not aware of the risks is not courage.  Courage is acting in the face of fear.  He writes, “If you have fear, welcome to the human race.  The minute you care, there’s fear.  That’s okay.  It’s natural.”

We all have fears.  The key to success in life, the key to being all that God calls you to be in this new year, is to realize that much of that stuff that we’re afraid of is only the fruit of our overactive imagination painting the worst possible scenario.  I’m sure you’ve all heard the acronym FEAR–false evidence appearing real.  The trick is to face those fears head-on and do what you have to do–even if you are afraid.

You can’t spend your life trying to shelter yourself from every single hurt that may come your way.  “The person who tries and keeps on trying will eventually get to where (s)he’s going.”  We all need to move on from the lowest point in life–mediocrity.  “Mr and Mrs. Average can be defined as the best of the worst and the worst of the best.”  We aspire to better in this new year, and believe that you do too.  You certainly have the God-given potential to excel in 2009.

Prayer Power
Lord, we are forever grateful for the courage You demonstrated to make the ultimate sacrifice for each and every one of us.  I’m sure our imaginations can’t even begin to comprehend the price You paid.

Link of the Day
How to Overcome the Fear of Failure

Blessings to you as you purposely face one of your fears head on this week and step out of your comfort zone.

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“One of the keys to abundance is having a solution oriented mind set.”  Brian Klemmer

What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you encounter an obstacle?  How about when you are presented with an opportunity?

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.  (Luke 11:9,10 and Matt. 7:7,8; NLT)

The eighth character trait that Brian Klemmer covers in his latest book, The Compassionate Samurai, is abundance.  Given all that is going on in our world right now, abundance is a very timely topic and it seems that everybody is writing about it…except the journalism community.  (BTW, the Link of the Day is a fascinating blog post made by a close friend of ours who has a graduate degree in journalism.  I urge you to not miss it.)  Klemmer adds some interesting bits of wisdom to this topic, but one that particularly stands out to me is when he writes, “Before abundance manifests in a tangible way in your life, it must first manifest in your mind.  If abundance never takes root there, then you’ll probably never experience it.”  Hmmmm…abundance seeds anyone?

So my post will instead be more about the opposite side of an abundant mind set, i.e., the scarcity mind set.  This is clearly the view of the masses during this chaotic time in our history.  “There just won’t be enough to go around!”  “I will have to make major adjustments to my lifestyle just to exist,” etc.  Folks, I’ve been there.  I’ve experienced the fear that comes from worrying about finances…even during good times.  When the enemy has your mind going in a downward spiral like that, it’s almost impossible to pull out of it by yourself.  But have you ever noticed that most of the stuff that we worry about never happens?  Sure, uncomfortable things happen, but pretty rarely is it ever as bad as our overactive imagination made it out to be.

Here’s the tip from Klemmer that I’ve been going around the barn to get to.  When faced with either an obstacle or an opportunity, how often do we look at the circumstances we can see and ask, “Can I do this?”  It’s an amazing fact that the words, “can I” usually lead to reasons why I can’t.  Even if we can, that combination of words will make our minds seek all the reasons why not.

The solution?  Add a single word to the question.  Ask instead, “How can I do this?”  That one little word, “how,” will cause your mind to create a solution rather than search for a problem.  This may seem so trivial and insignificant, but it’s just these kinds of “tweaks” to our thinking that will, over time, move us from the limited thinking produced by scarcity to the reality of abundance.

Speaking of abundance, The Coaching Pair is going to take the rest of the holiday week off and enjoy some abundant down time.  We’ll be back next year.  Make it a wonderful New Year’s celebration by imagining how great 2009 is going to be.

Prayer Power
Lord, we thank You that Your Word tells us in no uncertain terms that Your are an Abundant God.  Indeed, we are a blessed people.  We are grateful for all that we have and look forward to an abundant future.

Link of the Day
Don’t Believe the Hype

Blessings on you as you reflect on all that you have to be grateful for.  Take some time and make a list.

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“Appetizers are the little things you keep eating until you lose your appetite.”  Joe Moore

What changes will you be making in your self-care in this upcoming new year?

He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.  (Ps. 22:8: NIV)

I’ve never really done much with appetizers, dips, and spreads.  I know there are many cooks who focus on these little party teasers, developing lavish and beautiful recipes.  Personally, I didn’t want more “things” to eat.  As long as I’ve been on the road of healthful eating, I’ve concentrated on making the meal a tasteful experience.  At gatherings with lots of “before the meal” treats, it’s very easy to overeat.  Folks are standing around chit-chatting and popping in the sausage balls and cheese and crackers at record speed.  Once the meal is served, people may already have a semi-full stomach.  With more food and courses available to eat, people can easily eat too much.

However, a simple dip or spread with fresh vegetables can be a healthy addition to a nice meal.  Today’s recipe comes from our dear friend, Karen Cochran.  Karen and her husband, Evans are both retired school teachers.  (They retired at young ages!)  Now, they travel the countryside in their 5th Wheel, jaunting from one Blue Grass Festival to the next.  Karen plays the bass and Evans plays the Dobro, (a beautiful, steel guitar held on the lap).  I’ll let you know when they cut their first recording.  It’ll be great!

This salmon spread is easy to make and very healthful.  I found red sockeye salmon in a can from Natural Sea in our local grocery store, in the health food section.  It’s wild, premium Alaskan salmon.  Be choosy about the salmon you buy.  Don’t buy farm-raised salmon.  Fresh lemon juice and horseradish give this spread a great flavor.  Feel free to add more horseradish if you enjoy the taste.  I’ve served this spread with crudités. Don’t be fooled by this fancy word.  Crudités (pronounced CROO-da-tays) are fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, red pepper strips, cauliflower, and broccoli.  Whole grain crackers are also good with the salmon spread.  However, finding whole grain crackers without partially hydrogenated oils and preservatives isn’t always easy.  And one can tend to over eat crackers much easier than fresh vegetables.  When was the last time you said, “Oh, I ate too many carrots?”

Prayer Power
Father, we are so grateful for 2008 and for a new year about to commence.  May our lives honor You in all that we do and say.

Link of the Day
Sassy Salmon Spread

Blessings on you as you enjoy a healthy appetizer.