Monday, November 10, 2008

Be Still ... and Be Beautiful

Sometimes to get in touch with our inner beauty we need to be still and get quiet. I have discovered an awesome way to do that.

I just finished a little routine that I often do in the morning or anytime of day really. The one thing I did differently today was that I set the routine to relaxing spa music. Wow! Did that ever enhance the experience. So much so that I just had to share it with my dear readers.

The activity that I'm referring to is a 5 minute morning yoga routine. The video is at the end of this post so you will get to see it and even give it a try. It's only 5 minutes!! I hope that you discover as I have that it truly impacts the whole person - body, mind, spirit.

1. Body: This activity will get your body moving in a very gentle way. It's energizing yet calming and it just plain feels good. Plus done on some regular basis you will see and feel physical changes.

2. Mind: Your mind will relax and let go of all the tensions of life. It will sooth the stress brain waves that cause us to do crazy things like overeat.  

3. Spirit: You will feel so nurtured that your spirit will sing. A little activity like this will speak mounds of love to your inner self.

In body, mind, and spirit your body will thank you. You will be surprised at how something so small can not only add a bounce to your step but actually be healing. Depending upon your day and where you are, it can even give you warm fuzzies. I've had that experience! =)

Try this simple 5 minute yoga routine with calming spa music in the background. (See my Amazon Picks for suggested music.) Let me know if you walk away feeling relaxed and beautiful from the inside like I do.  

What kind of things do you do to get still and quiet?

"Be still, and know that I am God." ~~Psalm 46:10




Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Choosing to celebrate Obama's victory.....

The last 24 hours have been so emotionally exhausting. Since the announcement of our new president I have been so weepy. I haven't been sad, really, just somber. My heart has felt so tender towards Obama, McCain, our country, the black community, the Christian community, etc. My heart has felt tender towards the event in its entirety.

I admit that I am a McCain supporter and I am disappointed, however, what I have been feeling the last 24 hours still didn't make sense to me until this evening. I didn't totally understand this tenderness and, goodness, all the tears. From the get go of electing Obama I knew that my job would be to support him and pray for him. One friend asked me several times what I was afraid of with Obama in office. I couldn't explain myself well.

Finally, after getting out in the fresh air it hit me. I'm not afraid at all. This is what I know. On a spiritual level I have been feeling and sensing that something significant has happened. You may being thinking ... well duh! lol But I'm not solely referring to the obvious. I'm referring to the unseen ... I'm talking about in the spiritual realm. I can't really explain it completely as I only have a small piece of the puzzle. But I just know that it is. And as I am to know these things and act He will direct me. I have peace in that.

My 20 year old son wrote a fabulous note on facebook today. I invite you to read it, think about it, and comment on the wisdom that he has beyond his years. I ask that you join him and I to pray for our new president, our country, and for one another.

By the way... he is a Christian who voted but voted for neither candidate.

On Unity, Collaboration and The Pursuit of Godliness

So it's the 5th of November (remember remember the 5th of November...) and that crazy election just got the results in a little over 14 hours ago.

Obama is officially the next President of the United States of America. Kudos to him. He worked hard for it and won by a land slide. Also, history was made yesterday as he is the first black US president. That's pretty amazing.

But, I must say I'm incredibly disappointed by a lot of people's reactions to Obama (I'm not going to call him B. Hussein Obama or Hussein Obama to make a point, because a man cannot help what his name is and this is a foolish thing to use against him) being elected. ESPECIALLY Christians. Here are some of the Facebook status' I have seen in the last 12 hours. (They're all quotes. I'm keeping the profanity to make a point.)

"xxx apparently lives in a country full of fucking idiots. Good job, everyone."

"xxx didn't vote for the muslim!"

"xxx is excited to see how bad this country gets over the next 4 years."

"xxx knows the end is near."

"xxx is fucked as an American."

I'm sad to say that some of these have come from proclaimed Christian's mouths.

Aren't we as American Christians supposed to be uniting under God as such? The president is in God's hands and we need to support him as our leader and spokesperson. I'd be saying the same thing about McCain if he had been elected.

We need to unite as Americans and as Christians. We need to be proud of our heritage and our country, regardless of what party runs our government for the next four years.

Obama is a child of God, just like you and me. He needs to be in our prayers continuously to make good decisions for this nation.

I'm not going to look at this as some giant mistake the American people have made, because God is in control of this situation, and whether you agree with Obama or not, he needs your support and God's support.

Maybe you're right, maybe he's the worst thing to happen to America - but that won't be proven for some time. And, if he's as "evil" as the Christian community is saying he is, and he's going to mess up this country as much as they think he is, then I think we need to find a new God to worship because according to what's being said the current God can't handle Obama.


We need to unite as Americans and love people, including our President. He's a human being who has just as much sin in his life as everyone else. He just happens to have a lot more responsibility than most.

Pray for our president. Pray for our country. Pray for each other.

Written by Justin A. Nixon, my son! =)