Living A Fear Based Life

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Coco

Every week I look forward to the #WYCWYC podcast, and every week it leaves me with so much to ponder. A few weeks ago, Carla shared how she generally does not live a fear-based life. I know there are a few things that scare me, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I am living a fear based life. 

Living a Fear-Based Life
With my kids, I fear every phone call or late-night text message. I had to ask a friend not to text me late at night because that little chime makes my heart race. This is a learned fear. I’ve gotten that “meet us at the E.R.” and “I’ve been in an accident” calls. 

With my work, I am afraid to say “no” to clients, or even ask for a reasonable deadline. Our firm emphasizes client service and we are reminded that our clients can take their work elsewhere if we don’t meet their demands. I am learning to say “Can I get you that next week?” but it is stressful to even make that request. 

With cycling, I have gotten over my fear of one particular hill, but there is an entire path I am afraid to ride on because I’m not sure I can make it up its steep, twisty inclines without falling. I’ve tried running the route to demystify it, but that’s only reinforced my doubts. 

Custis Trail

Every bump makes me fear bloody knees!

I don’t have much fear about running (except this one), but when one of our MRTT leaders asked us to share what motivates us to run on those days when we don’t feel like it, my first answers were negative: fear of sliding into a slump of inactivity, fear of little “d” depression, fear of feeding that depression and gaining weight ….

I even approach my book selections with fear. I waited to read The Lovely Bones until my daughter was a bit older than the main character and more recently I had Still Alice downloaded on my Kindle for a few weeks before I was brave enough to read it. (The Lovely Bones was not as sad as I feared, but Still Alice definitely hits too close to home!)

Happy Couple

The only two areas of life where I don’t live in fear are my relationship with my husband and my faith in God. With those solid foundations, I have to wonder why I am living such a fear-based life and what I really am afraid of. 

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Are you motivated by fear in any aspects of your life?

Posted in Life | Tagged , | 23 Comments

Meeting The Gardener On Easter

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Coco

Alleluia!

Happy Easter! Each Gospel recounts the resurrection with a slightly different focus. They all have Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb to attend to His body, finding the stone rolled away from the entrance, and seeing that the tomb is empty. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, an angel appears and explains that Jesus has risen from the dead. In John, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene himself, although at first she doesn’t recognize Him. 

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

John 20: 11-16

I like John’s story so much, because Mary’s emotions and reactions seem so real. 

I like John’s story so much, because she doesn’t recognize Jesus at first. 

I like John’s story so much, because she thought He was the gardener, and accused Him of taking Jesus away. 

I like John’s story so much, because I can feel the love in Jesus’ voice when He says, “Mary.” 

I like John’s story so much, because it reminds me that God does not desert us, that His love is reflected in the friends, family, and strangers who surround us, and that if we listen for His voice, we will hear Him calling our names.

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Posted in My Faith | 5 Comments

The April Ultimate Coffee Date

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Coco

Thank you for joining the Ultimate Coffee Date on such a busy weekend! Make sure you thank my co-hosts Deborah and Lynda, and stop by other blogs in the link up to say “Hi!”

The Ultimate Coffee Date Link Up

(Use the code above to grab the Ultimate Coffee Date badge for your blog!)

If we were having coffee, I would have to ask if you saw my Friday Five post from yesterday. I don’t want to repeat myself, but I love my new shoes and am so excited to be going to Fitbloggin’ in June–I would love it if you would join me!  You can register here. <<not an affiliate link 😉 Continue reading →

Posted in Coffee Date | Tagged | 33 Comments

What Is Good About Good Friday?

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Coco

Today is Good Friday–the day we remember the Crucifixion of Jesus. Why is a day when we remember such a dark event called Good Friday? According to Wikipedia, the etymology is in dispute, but usually is attributed to the use of the word “good” to mean pious or holy. (That’s what I was taught.)

Good Friday

But there is good news in Good Friday. One of the many symbolic messages in the events of Holy Week is that Good Friday is not the end of the story. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, My Faith | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Joining The April Pin Party

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Coco

Today I am joining the Pin Party hosted by Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean blog. Pinterest can be a great forum for amplifying the reach of your posts, and it’s so fun to see what others are Pinning. Please follow me on Pinterest and Pin any of these posts you and your followers might like. 😉

Pin It Party!

I’ve selected Pinnable posts on a variety of topics, from fitness gear to recipes to blogging. Happy Pinning! Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, Food | Tagged | 12 Comments