YTG

Walking away from a conflict is sometimes the best  gift that we should give to ourselves and to others. Too often we are afraid to lose face, and remain within the confines of the conflict longer than we should.  The longer we stay the more powerless we feel, and the more powerlessness that we feel, is the more angrier we become. We end up acting in consequential manner that goes against who we are and more importantly can be damaging to whom we strive to be.

There is no shame in walking away because, in many ways, it helps us preserve our dignity and strength. We cant fight every battle or win every war, sometimes just walking away is to acknowledge a "truce" of the matter. : I did not win and you did not lose; and we both gained. In Walking away, we become victorious without the feeling of defeat. That happens when walking away becomes your choice, the Victory of DeFeet

  After 2 years of following my mantra of "No seconds, sugar snacks" my weight leveled off at 160 pounds.  Currently I am  maintaining at and between 160 and 164 pounds.  Using the "turtle " method of losing and getting to a desired weight was kind of mercurial. But it gave me the advantage of "tuning in" to my "body talk". So much so that immediately after a meal I could almost accurately estimate my weight. Now that is not magic its just being consistently mindful of my eating habit and style.  Eating should become a life style and some days I do push pass the boundaries, but, I remain conscious that doing so 2 - 3 days in a row will create unconscious changes. The changes in weight  may not be as significant as would be, the change in habit. Just as quickly I could soon forget my style, and before I realize it, small change  slips past my "awareness gait". . Now that may seem like work, it is, but not a lot. I think of that body builder, that athlete I so admire, who is focused on maintaining the optimum physique and skills.  I try to remember that I was not just changing my body, I was replacing habits by changing my mind. 

Every night just before I go to bed I get on the scale and write it down. In the morning when I rise, again I get on the scale and write it down. I find a consistent 2 Pounds  ( difference) lower in the morning. Those action, at first, seemed meaningless and and some what frustrating. Longitudinally  I began to learned to feel the ups and downs of the pounds and kept my goal in focus. It later became my habit. 

I am mindful that each individual has their own proclivities, and that there are no cookie cutter ideals.  I learned to bite into a donut and then throw the remainder into the garbage. My thought was this, waste it there or waist it here. Better still, avoid it. I never gave up ice cream, I just restricted its presence to outside treat.    It has since been re-welcomed at home.  

My A1c came in at 6.0

Children are essential to life not just because thy are our replacements but that they they serve up that added flavor to our living. Without them living would be a drag with nothing but work. It is the child in us that allows us to be nonchalant and free spirited. This new entrant into our lives brings energy anew. 

Building strong families on that sturdy platform called love

Fathers, It not enough for your children to know of you or for them to just be aware of your presence.  You must not only be the provider of the sperm that fertilizes the egg that produces the child that we now see. Make a concerted effort to participate in the motion of their lives. It is important that  do things for and with them . That is your gift to them.

Marriage is important to the well being of the individual and to  our society. We can call it anything we chose but its value still stands. It is true that the rate of marriage is decreasing, but that because they are calling it something else.  The principle of declared commitment remain solid.