Monthly Archives: December 2014

Unbroken and Undefeated

Worry is a waste of time
(Courtesy of Jill Blakeway)
 

We are at the threshold of a New Year.

2015.

Already?

I know. Where did 2014 go?
 

We say this every year and yet we still ask the same question. It seems that time goes by too fast. Then again, I guess this thought could be argued depending on what kind of year we’ve had. If it was a good year, it probably did speed by. But if it wasn’t, if we were forced to deal with a lot of difficult challenges in our life, time may have lagged on. As in, “Will this year ever end?”

Nevertheless, we have little choice in the matter. It doesn’t help to worry about the things that we weren’t able to achieve or the little idiosyncrasies that took over our hopes and aspirations. Either way the change is going to happen. So we might as well buckle up and enjoy the ride.

It’s a brand new year and a fresh slate—a chance to hit the restart button! An opportunity to take on a positive view or perhaps set new goals for a brighter future.

Are you feeling inspired? After all, inspiration is the spark that can set our new goals on fire. If you’re looking for a little encouragement, let me share with you something that I know you’ll find inspiring.
 

Unbroken and Undefeated.
 

What do these words mean to you?

First impression may tell us they mean the same thing. But if we take a closer look, we find that even though these two words share a parallel meaning, they embrace a whole different significance unto their own.

When we think of Unbroken, we think of someone who is constant, steady, undying, someone who has run the race with endurance. Someone like Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini, for which the book and new movie was written about.

On the other hand, Undefeated can take on a whole different meaning, that of someone who is unbeaten, invincible, determined and steadfast. Someone who is resilient, a survivalist, someone like author Laura Hillenbrand.

Why do I say this?

It’s not like Laura Hillenbrand has written a plethora of novels. Quite the opposite actually. She has written only two.
 

Seabiscuit and Unbroken.
 

Equally successful, both books revolve around subjects whose lives were found Unbroken and Undefeated. Both were stories that told an unforgettable journey into extremity, a testament to the resilience of both animal and man.

But what some of you may or may not know is that Laura Hillenbrand suffers from a very debilitating illness. It is what’s kept her from writing more than two books thus far. No telling what the results would be if the woman was healthy.

Laura suffers from what is now known as ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For her, most days are considered a success if she manages to take a shower on her feet. Even during a two year period while writing her current novel “Unbroken”, which took her almost a decade to write, she never left her home. In fact, for several of those months, she never left her room.

Yes, in the carefully calibrated world of Laura Hillenbrand, every reaction has an equivalent and opposite reaction. For an example, she might agree to an interview but skip a shower. Her energy is finite, and she typically has enough for one activity per day. Yet, her writing has been a riposte to anyone who had ever associated CFS with laziness.

Many journalists have been quick to point out the irony of Ms. Hillenbrand’s work: “A woman for whom walking around the block constitutes a marathon writes about the finest specimens of physical endurance.”
 

A woman who has proven to be Unbroken and Undefeated.
 

And therein lies the story behind the stories: Laura Hillenbrand’s unique ability to tune into each of her characters and show how they overcame the many tragedies in their life. They say to write what you know. If that is true, I think Laura Hillenbrand’s example is a wonderful source for true inspiration!

So worry not my friends. Do not hold back. Hit the reset button. Go after those new goals with passion and enjoy the ride!
 

So what do you think? Are you ready for the New Year? Have you set new goals for the future? Have you read one of Laura Hillenbrand’s books? Do you remember watching the movie “Seabiscuit”? Have you had the opportunity to see “Unbroken” yet?
 

Cheers everyone! I hope that life is treating you well. And as always, thank you so much for all your support and wonderful comments!
Karen

 
 

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The Hay Isn’t Just In My Jeans!

#SundayPunday

(Photo courtesy of HooplaHa Media/News/Publishing)

Ha, ha, ha! Gotcha! What in the world am I talking about?

Well, I found this picture on my Facebook feed a couple of weeks ago and it made me think about a documentary that hubby and I had watched on Netflix.

Have y’all watched “GMO OMG” yet?

You know how much I love healthy food. I even think Kale is Sexy as a Rockstar! 🙂

Yet, after watching this film, I wondered how many of us out there are concerned about what we eat. How many of us are having issues with our health and wonder if there is a correlation between what we eat and how we feel? How many of us are concerned about where our food comes from and how it is handled?

I had an interesting discussion with my doctor last week after finding out I have a auto-immune disorder. I won’t go into the nitty-gritty of my health issue here. Let’s just say I realize I have to make a change in my lifestyle. I need to be more proactive as to what I take into my mind and body and the things that I eat.

Food matters

For most of us, this is a daily challenge. And for most of us, we do our best to stay within a healthy range as to what we drink and what we eat. But what I find difficult to understand is, while most of us are doing our upmost to watch what we take into our bodies, our food supply is being tainted right before our very eyes.

There, I said it. Our food supply is being tainted my friends.

Hay now, it’s not my wish to play Debbie Downer here. You know how much I hate to play that role. But this subject is important. Too important not to mention.

Thus, may I say, OMG GMO!

Oh wait. That’s “GMO OMG.”

Here’s an introduction to the documentary:

“Today in the United States, by the simple act of feeding ourselves, we are unwittingly participating in the largest experiment ever conducted on human beings. Each of us unknowingly consumes genetically engineered food on a daily basis. The risks and effects to our health and the environment are largely unknown. Yet more and more studies are being conducted around the world, which only provide even more reason for concern. We are the oblivious guinea pigs for wide-scale experimentation of modern biotechnology. GMO OMG tells the story of a fathers discovery of GMOs in relationship to his 3 young children and the world around him.”

You mean humans are being used in a wide-scale experiment for modern biotechnology?

Is it me, or does this sound like the preface for a fiction novel rather than a true life story?

Filmmaker and father Jeremy Seifert took on a huge undertaking in his search for answers about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and how they affect our children and the health of our planet. His journey took him to Haiti, Paris, Norway, and even agri-giant Monsanto when he poses perhaps the ultimate question about what we eat: Is it still possible to reject our current food system, or have we already lost something we can’t get back?

Oh no, no, no. I realize this job isn’t for everyone. But the hay isn’t just in my jeans!

I would like to invite you to take a moment and watch this brief preview:

Hmm. What to do, what to do!?!?

As for me, I’m sticking with organic. Because you know, I think it’s sexy like Kale! But if it’s at all possible, buy from local farmers and farmer’s markets. Of course the best situation would be to grow our own veggies if we have the time and needed space.

But hay, if we’re concerned about what we eat, or have issues with our health and wonder if there is a correlation between what we eat and how we feel, we’ll do whatever it takes to stay healthy, right?

That’s what I thought you’d say. 🙂
 

So what do you think? Have you made any healthy changes in your life? What are your thoughts on the GMO issue? Do you think this is having an affect on the environment? Are organic foods available in your neighborhood? What kinds of food do you and your family enjoy?
 
 
Cheers everyone! I hope that life is treating you well. And as always, thank you so much for all your support and wonderful comments!
Karen

 

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