Quitting smoking, getting healthy, losing weight, being a better person....

All of the above represent change.  I've been there, done that, a hundred times.  What was the final, proverbial 'straw'?  I couldn't tell you.  I'd love to say I finally "gave it to God" and everything fell into place, but the truth is I have prayed and prayed and did what I thought was giving it to God a million times.  

At some point, I would always tell myself the addiction, whether to cigarettes, food or being an @#$@hole, was stronger and I would just get by with being who "I am."  Isn't that familiar?  Being who "I am!"  The lame thought that you can accept me for who I am and a fat smoker who is occasionally rude is part of me.....and believing it as we say it.

The truth of the matter is in that statement, you're calling God a liar.  He created us in His image and I haven't read any Scripture referring to Him as a rude, fat, smoker.  That's not who you are.  It's not who I am.  And knowing that is half of the battle.  HALF.  OF.  THE.  BATTLE.

The other half is change.  Training your mind and body to do something other than what it's used to.  Instead of I'm bored, let's eat or smoke, there needs to be an alternative and it needs to be repeated, pardon the pun, RELIGIOUSLY!

It's easy to talk about that being your last pack of smokes.....with a cigarette in your hand.

It's easy to talk about losing weight and getting healthy.....when you're stuffed from eating the entire pie.

It's easy to talk about being a better person.....when you're feeling guilty about yelling at your kids.

Bottom line is this:  Talk is cheap.  Healthy, positive ACTIONS please Him.  I'm in the business of pleasing Him.  It's a daily struggle and one I have accepted will be with me for the rest of my life.  But today I look at the struggle as a reminder of how better off I am, instead of a reminder that I'm struggling.

I pray that struggle on all of you.

After all, a nicer, more healthy, smoke free you, looks MUCH better thru the lens!

Peace!