Inspiration- and A Visualization

Day 16 is (was, since I'm behind AGAIN) about someone who inspires me.  Truth be told, there are many people who inspire me in a general sense like G-Norma, Rachel Ray, PW, and various other amazing women (and men) that I've come across in life that have some wonderful Godly qualities that I'm still learning to possess.

Alas, I think it's really cool that I'm just getting around to writing this blog today (May 18, not May 16) Because yesterday the 17th, we had a Mississippi State Staff Conference. I found great inspiration in this event which completely surprised me. This fantastic lady, Janie Walters, taught a course on Public Speaking, and she was also the Keynote speaker at the conference.



Though she was at a public university speaking on the topic of Optimism, her Light just couldn't help but hsine. The Light I'm talking about.. it's the kind that scares darkness. It's cool. Anyway, she really inspired me yesterday for several reasons.

1. He relentless faith
2. Her contagious attitude and humor.
3. Her perspective and outlook.

Example: During our "class" she talked about "seeing" yourself succeed (as in while giving a speech etc) to help calm yourself and all. We did a silly little exercise with our eyes closed to "see" ourselves doing X,Y,Z...
THEN! She said something that blew me away.. She said

"How many of you have been dieting your whole life?" (2/3 of room raises hands) "Me too, and that's one of the biggest reasons you don't succeed; you can't see yourself thin. All the pictures you have of yourself, you are plump, and everytime you look in the mirror, you see yourself the size that you are."
The point she made was that you go farther and do more than you usually would if you really "see" yourself doing it/being it.

I thought about that pretty much all day and I visited her website earlier today and found a little article that was just perfect for me all over again... Lighten Up Challenge (Go all the way to the bottom of this page, and read the challenge.)

This is something that I really want to do. I've been struggling a lot lately with this and I've come to the conclusion a while back that really losing weight is a spriritual issue for me, and many others I think.
I want to jump on board with this challenge and tithe 10% of my body to the Lord. I can't think of a more literal and practical way to present my body as a living sacrifice than this right now.

I so want to do this and I've been so inspired.. Like never before. I really hope that the 10% will be a jumping off point for me. I will really need some encouragement, but I want to walk in the Spirit as I trust the Lord to help me in this journey.