Spring Power Playlist

We are now further into spring, and even though there are still days that feel like winter there's been much improvement in our Ohio weather.  I am able to get outside more often to walk/run and still do indoor workouts on those other days.

It's been a crazy month and a half, going to so many wakes that I hope and pray there are no more for a LONG time.  I even found out an old friend of mine passed away months ago...from cancer at age 51.  She and I were really close for a long time and then life got in the way.  Needless to say, it was a complete shock that a woman so positive and full of life is gone so soon.  I'm still trying to process this one - almost like I just had a nightmare and it isn't real.  Except...it is.

So I added some power songs to my workout playlist, to lift my spirits and keep moving forward on my journey of faith, fitness, and life.  Annette would be the first to tell me not to wallow in the sadness and just get on with it.  And since she was a fellow Parrothead, of course I included a little Buffett in my list!

Here is my latest playlist:

DONE. - The Band Perry
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Live for Today - Natalie Grant
Walk Away - Megan Hilty
Troublemaker - Olly Murs
People Like Us - Kelly Clarkson
Set Fire to the Rain - Adele
I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons
One Particular Harbour - Jimmy Buffett
Boys 'Round Here - Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies & Friends
Jump Right In - Zac Brown Band
Lay All Your Love on Me - Amanda Seyfried/Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia movie soundtrack)


Please share the songs that get you moving as well.  Let's power up this spring and live life to the fullest!

Easter's Fresh Start - And a Brand New Month!

Yesterday we celebrated Easter Sunday - the day that Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified, giving all of God's children forgiveness of their sins and a fresh start in Christ.  We get to do away with past mistakes, and look to the present and future to be the people God created us to be.

This year, Easter's renewal is followed by April 1st...a brand new month, with a chance to improve upon what we did last month (or in the months before) and strive to be better.  Better at our relationship with God and relationships with others, better at breaking bad habits...really, better at whatever we have discovered we need to be better at - and what God had told us we need to do to be better for His purpose.

I know for me (and most of you who read my blog) this includes being better at health, fitness, and nutrition.  There are times we don't do well in these departments, but we need to shake that off and start fresh.  Did you eat a lot of Easter goodies yesterday?  Did exercise fall by the wayside as you prepared for the celebration of the Resurrection - including both religious activities and fun stuff for the kids and other family members? 

I gave up diet soda for Lent, already knowing it was bad for me yet having had a problem giving up the addiction in the past.  I decided giving it up for Lent would cause me to do it for Jesus - not myself.  With this mindset (and plenty of prayer), I was successful in staying completely away from it from Ash Wednesday all the way through Holy Saturday.  On Easter, I had one sip of Diet Pepsi...and one sip was it.  It didn't taste all that great, so I didn't have any more.  But I know addictions can creep back up if you're not careful.  So I'm continuing to abstain from diet soda from Easter on, still as a sacrifice to God who gave me a body, mind, and soul that I need to take care of for Him.  I also need to cut back on sugar again after those Easter treats!

No matter what happened, you don't have to stay in that rut.  Ask God to help you out of it and into His grace.  You are forgiven for your sins...AND any slacking off you may have done taking care of your body - God's holy temple. 

It's the day after Easter...so remember all that Jesus has done for you, and take April and RUN with it!!!