Heres to You and 2017: Building your core

It's the beginning of 2017 and a revolution of energy has sparked within each of us.  We are ready to be our new selves tonight!  We feel like Tina Turner after she left Ike or Beyonce when she belted out "I'm a Survivor."  Some of us feel like Angela Bassett after she burned up a car in the movie, Waiting to Exhale! Without a doubt, we are ready! 

​If you are reading this blog, you are already embarking on a journey to a better you.  The energy you have will naturally die down, so you've got to build your foundation now.  It's now or never people.  

Let's face it, working out gets boring.  A random craving for a soul gratifying meal will come.  There will be a day when you don't feel like going to work.  A time will come when you've climaxed and started rolling down the hill like Charlie Brown and friends.  That is okay.  My sister once told me to find my center.  A personal trainer I had before told me to work most on my core.  Friends, your core can be a lot of things by way of your body, mind or soul.  I strongly suggest being neutral to all these components.  Hence, solidifying your core.  When you get ready to roll down that hill, don't worry because you can get back up!  Charlie Brown always did anyway! Ha!

​I suggest to you to water your garden. Live yourself some flowers, Laugh at yourself. Smile at yourself. Talk to yourself.  Read aloud to yourself.   Build your core. 

Last year, two of my friends bought me books that are helping me continually grow: (1) Daily Gratitudes: A Journal to Record The Good Things In My Life (2) Jesus Calling.  

I never realized how much I had to be thankful for until I started writing it down.  When I first cracked open this book, I just stared at it and wrote very shallowly what I was thankful for as if I deserved the world.  Wrong.  It forced me to dig deep and really see and understand the who, what, why and how of being thankful.  It strengthened my core! Book #2 gave me a better sense of God's presence.  Its devotionals are written as if Jesus himself is talking to you! The author, Sarah Young says, "I have written from the perspective of Jesus Speaking, to help readers feel more personally connected with Him." So the first person singular ("I," "Me," "My," "Mine) always refers to Christ; "you" refers to you, the reader." If you are anything like me, sometimes deciphering biblical language can be a challenge.  I, actually, still utilize my teen study bible!

If your New Year's energy has compelled you to run to the bookstore, I encourage you to add these two to your lists!  Perhaps, even buy them for your friends.  We could all use some core practice.  Even, those with a six-pack have to continue to work!  Having this strength will enable you to slide down the hill and get back up again.  

P.S. If you have trouble finding what you are thankful for, here's a list to get you started! 

​Thank you for reading!  Happy New Year! 2017 is yours!