Monday, January 16, 2012

Believe - accept as true, trust, have faith in

BELIEVE - Transitivo (spanish) - accept as true, trust, have faith in


When things are going well, it is easy to believe. But when things start to go sideways, or fall completely apart, you lose faith. You have difficulty remembering what and why you believe. When you see someone struggling, it is hard to say the words they need to hear so they will continue to believe.


Niagara Falls has thehighest flow rate
of any waterfall in the world and at one point has a vertical drop of more than 165 feet and is about 2600 feet across at the widest point. 1 Mile = 5280 Feet, almost 1/2 mile across. There are several falls that make up Niagara Falls, who knew. The image I had in my mind was one falls. I regress.




For a couple of summers in the mid-19th century, many thousands of Americans thrilled to the exploits of a Frenchman who, on several occasions, crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He was called Blondin, or sometimes The Great Blondin, although his real name was Jean Francois Gravelet. On June 30, 1859, he made the first transit of the gorge below the Falls.




After that first walk, he did it quite a few more times, always adding some new daredevil element. Blondin crossed Niagara Falls on stilts, on a bicycle, blindfolded, at night… one time he pushed a wheelbarrow along the tightrope; in the wheelbarrow was a stove. When Blondin reached the middle of the tightrope, he got out the stove, upon which he cooked an omelet. He ate the omelet and then completed the crossing.


I first heard of Blondin’s exploits at Weight Watchers. The leader cited Blondin to illustrate the difference between mere beliefs and actual faith. He told a story that may or may not be factual, but the gist of it was that Blondin was discussing with an associate the next variation for crossing Niagara Falls. He had hit upon the idea of walking that tightrope, 160 above the water, while pushing someone in a wheel barrow.


Blondin asked his friend if he thought it was possible. “Of course,” the guy said. “After what you have already accomplished, it should be no problem to cross the Falls with a person in a wheel barrow.”


Blondin nodded his agreement and then responded: “Will you be that person?”


Although the WW Leader's point about having the courage of our convictions was made in a health context, but it applies to ethical, political, matrimonial, and spiritual issues as well.


The WW Leader asked if we would get in his wheel barrow?


Did we believe and have the courage of our convictions. The Leader went around the room and asked each person what did they believe. I heard....



  • I believe I can eat healthy, exercise and enjoy it and be happy with life.

  • I believe the WW plan will help may change my eating habits and improve my health.

  • I believe that drinking water is essential.

  • I believe I can stand up to my friends when they say "don't worry about it, you are beautiful as you are."

  • I believe my weight doesn't definite me.

What do I believe?



  • My lifestyle can be based on eating healthy and getting activity and I will be a happier, better person for it.

  • My eating and activity directly influence my self esteem and how I handle other things in my life.

  • My family and friends will always be there for me and keep me from drowning in the well.

  • I can find a job that will allow me to maintain my priority of family and friends, give me financial security and enrich me as a person.

  • I can have patience.

  • I can find inner peace.

  • How successful I am is not what is important (albiet weight loss, employment, etc) - it is what I learn that matters most.

  • Balance is key to success and happiness.

What do you believe? When you first start something - marriage, Weight Watchers, a new job, gym routine, the Lord Jesus Christ - you have a belief. You are passionate! You know you believe and you can do what it takes to act according to that belief, no matter what.


I'm writing my beliefs down and tweaking them as I learn so when times get rough, they will be there to remind me.



























Sunday, January 15, 2012

...I know I just got to get started

I just applied on line for Weight Watcher leader.... we will see what happens now. I'm not stopping there... I am off to surf the world wide web to see what else is out there. To infinity and beyond....




















Don't you just love Buzz!




Now I am ready!!