Total Customized Fitness

A friend sent me an excerpt this morning that hit home. We've been working on relationships this past month & the role of "victim" comes up frequently. We can be victims of many things-crimes, physical assaults, verbal abuse, accidents...the list is literally endless.

But, the worst victimization of all is created in our own minds. I see this regularly in my own life & in others when we blame our thoughts & actions on the external environment. It can be as minor as breaking a promise to ourselves so that someone else will feel better....we tell ourselves that we "had" to do something for the betterment of another person. This is super prevalent in choosing unhealthy behaviors & justifying them. I know. I am guilty of this too.

That is why I love this quote & Victor Frankl's work so much. Even in the midst of the most atrocious circumstances, he still maintained control over his own mind, his own world.

I am humbled & awed by this ability. And, oh so grateful to be reminded of when I have let myself slip into victimhood, and, most importantly, how I have the ability to slip right out of it.

Simple? Yes.
Easy. Not at all.

But, if Dr. Frankl & so many others could do it in such circumstances, then I certainly can too.

From my friend:
https://lnkd.in/gqcYEHd

The Mason-Dixon Line. The Berlin Wall. The 38th Parallel.
The fence in your yard.

We have geographical boundaries.
And we have mental, emotional & physical boundaries.

Or at least we try to.!
With access to technology and constant communication, it is easy to get sucked into other people's words and literally, put their needs before ours. It's easy to blur the boundary lines.

We inherently can tell the difference when someone is giving a healthy boundary, versus when they are trying to intimidate or manipulate us.

"If you need to smoke in here, then I'll step outside," is a clean boundary. Especially when it is said with genuine neutrality or empathy.

"If you don't put that cigarette out, then I'm going report you," is a threat.

And..drum roll. "If you smoke in here, then I will report it to the boss," can also be a boundary.

It's all in the intention, which is clearly articulated with tone of voice, body language &, of course, action.

So, set your intention.
And, start with you.
What boundaries do you need to create the healthiest body & mind? Start with the non-negotiables-family & friend time. Time for your wellness - your sleep, meals, exercise and down time.

Then, practice sharing them.
And practice keeping them.

Yummy!!

Do you ever use lime, cocoa, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, mushrooms or anasazi beans in your chili?

This Sweet Potato Pumpkin Chili is really a cross between stew and chili, but whatever you call it, it's yummy! 😋

The cocoa powder and canned pumpkin aren't detectable, and make it more delicious and healthy.

The mushrooms add a savory flavor, and because they are cut in such small pieces, they aren't obvious. However, they can be pureed if you have any mushroom-haters. The two types of potatoes give this chili a stew-like quality, while adding interest and more great nutrition.🍠 🥔

I love using dried anasazi beans in this chili, but any type of bean works.

This recipe requires a lot of chopping, but it makes enough to freeze and it's awesome chili.

If you're afraid of spicy heat in your food, don't skip the jalapeño peppers, just add two jalapeños without the seeds, which adds flavor but not heat. 🌶

This chili is a real winner in both taste and nutrition, and with all the umami in this chili, you won’t miss the meat!

https://foodswithjudes.com/recipe/sweet-potato-pumpkin-chili/