Draw the Line

This song says so much about me, my friends, and why we feel the things we do and the way we do them are important. It's great work from an unsung master of Punk Rock, and I figured it was high time it had a video.

#Mamavation Monday: Wheat is now my enemy

So the saga of wheat in New Orleans ends with me being super sick and swearing wheat off for life, like forever.

After my last Mamavation post, I went to the doctor and got some bad health news.  My blood sugar was 120 after a 12-hours fast.  That is so not good, like a few more points and I would have been pre- diabetic.  My blood pressure was up.  My weight was up 5 lbs!  In general my usually healthy wheat-free self was trying to cleanse itself and as a result I was going through the wringer.

One comment I did not expect to hear was that I was gluten intolerant.  Now before you jump, I went wheat-free for my daughter. I was nursing and when I ate wheat she broke out.  I never when wheat-free for myself or even for DH who also has a wheat allergy.  Why was this shocking?  Well I think in the back of my mind I was thought of being wheat free as an optional piece of my life.  I could go back to eating like a "normal" person at some point.  This experience has taught me that is not the case.  I need to not only be wheat free but gluten free; I wasn't expecting that.  How did we go from a household with two wheat allergy sufferers to where everyone has some wheat issue?

I am finally feeling better.  I had some tests run today and I'm waiting for results.  I suspect my blood sugar is back to normal.  My blood pressure is back to normal.  I've lost all 5lbs.  My thirst is back to normal and my energy level is returning.  Lesson learned, stay away from wheat!

Non-Negotiables

This is actually an assignment that I had to turn in last semester.  I sparked a lot of discussion for our group and really made me think about where I draw my own lines.  Just wanted to share.

My personal non-negotiables are flexible.  I think being inflexible leads to a person’s inability to forgive themselves for falling short.  We all fall short and as such we need to be able to forgive ourselves for times we don’t stand up, we stay silent, and in general violate our personal non-negotiables.  I honestly believe that a person’s inability to forgive themselves leads to refusing to allow others into our lives because we fear being seen as a fraud to ourselves and then in turn to them. 

1. I will treat others in a matter that makes them feel seen, heard and valuable.  When I fall short I will examine why I failed and how I can do better next time.
2.  I will treat myself as I feel that I should treat others.  I cannot treat others better than I treat myself.  If I don’t begin with being my best to myself then others will see my efforts as disingenuous and/or as a means to take advantage of me.
3.    I will be grateful for the life I have even when it seems to be going in a direction I do not like.  Being grateful will require me to stop and exam my attitude towards in the world in general and this will allow me to refocus myself on bring positive change into the world.
4.    I will listen without judgment realizing that I can only see through my own life experiences and that I cannot judge what others due since time, circumstance and life experience are different for everyone.
5.   I will practice forgiveness of myself and others.  Anger and grudges only serve to hurt me and if I keep hurt within me then I cannot keep the first four non-negotiables.