Mary Pierce

TODAY’S LAUGH: I went to my doctor awhile back and whined, “I’ve been on this weight loss program for a YEAR and I haven’t lost any weight!”

She checked my chart and said, “Well, no, you’ve lost a whole KILOGRAM since last year.” I got a little excited until we did the math. “So you’re telling me that for a whole year I’ve weighed, counted, measured, sweated and fretted,  and I’ve lost 2.2 pounds? That’s… um… 35 whole ounces. Woo HOO! I’ll gain that back just driving past McDonald’s on the way home!”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Has it happened to you too? You hit a wall in life and, no matter how hard you try, nothing changes. Maybe it’s your weight or another health struggle. A relationship issue or a work challenge. Whatever. You can’t make progress in the direction you want to go.

My doctor, after we stopped laughing, gave me some great advice. “What you’ve been doing isn’t working.” (Duh.) “Take a good look at what you’re really eating. You’ll be surprised.” I did. I was. I changed to a new approach as she suggested, and I feel better than I’ve felt in years. And I’m actually losing weight now, too. WOO HOO! (Contact me for the details.)

THE KEY: Realizing that I’d been doing the same old thing over and over and expecting different results. (That’s “insanity” defined.) I changed my MIND about my health and now my life is changing.

So that “thing” in your life that doesn’t change? Maybe it’s true for you as it was for me: What you’ve been doing isn’t working. Try a new angle. Get a new perspective. Don’t whine and cry a minute longer. Pray, think, research, consult, study, investigate, imagine… If you can change your mind about whatever it is, you can change your life, too. Promise!

Thanks for your friendship. Now go bless someone else today…

P.S. A HUGE thank you from DaMama to all who supported our walk for Alzheimer’s last Saturday. You’re the best!

TODAY’S LAUGH: When DaMama came to live at our house four years ago, some of my friends were shocked. “YOU? CAREGIVING?” They weren’t being mean; they just knew me. I’ve joked that while some have the gift of giving, I have the gift of receiving. (Who will “givers” give to otherwise?) My motto has always been, “I care, but not that much.”

So NO ONE IS MORE SURPRISED THAN I AM that caregiving has changed me fundamentally. I’m learning to care. Actually care.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT:  I’ve “cared” in the past, of course. My heart went out to Katrina’s victims and to the families of 9-11. I’ve wept and prayed for the victims of dozens of other disasters–natural and otherwise. I’ve cared, but to be honest, not that much.

Not ENOUGH to actually write a check. Not ENOUGH to donate my time. Not ENOUGH to actually put myself out. (You’re probably nicer than I am, more generous, more giving–but I’m learning.)

This time–watching the Ike devastation–I’m doing something. And you can too. The American Red Cross needs us. Call 1-800-Red Cross or go to redcross.org. Give money. Give blood. Give time as a local volunteer. I’m sending my money today.

Another thing I’m doing locally. Our Alzheimer’s Association is having a “Memory Walk” this weekend (9/20/08) and I’ll be walking with KT, Joey & Charlie in honor of DaMama, who is teaching me–one of her last lessons maybe–how to care enough to actually do something. (Click here to donate to help all DaMamas and Papas out there.)

There are so many needs out there. Be a blessing to somebody else and show you care by sharing your time, talents or resources–your blessings–today. If we each just do a little, together we’ll make a BIG difference!

TODAY’S LAUGH: I had coffee with a friend the other day. She hates computers. “I hate all that online stuff,” she said. “I’d never be on ‘My Face’!”

“Do you mean MySpace? Or Facebook?” I asked.

She got huffy. “MyFace… Spacebook… what’s the difference? IT’S ALL A BIG WASTE OF TIME!”

I changed the subject to gardening, something we could both love.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT:  Online social networks. You’re either “for ‘em or agin ‘em” it seems.

I love being a writer and working alone, but I also need people contact. And “MyFace” provides just that. A quick click and I’m connected with friends and family, and just as quickly I can disconnect and get back to work.

For this work-at-homer, MyFace is my “coffee break.” It’s my water cooler. It’s my happy hour.

It is a brave and, for my friend, a scary new world. It’s a world moving at the “speed of byte.” But scary as it may be, if we plan to stick around for the next few decades, I don’t think we have the option of “opting out.” What do you think? Do you love it or leave when it comes to online networking?

I love being part of it and MyFace–or actually Facebook –is where you’re welcome to connect with me, anytime. (Click the link, stop by and say hi!)

May all your connections–online or off–be joy-filled today!

TODAY’S LAUGH: This time of year I hear my father* saying, “Time to buckle down!” And I obey, even though he’s been gone forty years.

Ah, I love the idea that my kids, years and years from now, will still be hearing my sweet voice reminding them–ever so gently: “GET OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR! YOU’LL RUIN YOUR DINNER!” And they’ll hear me saying the classic, “IF YOU FALL OUT OF THAT TREE AND BREAK YOUR LEG, DON’T COME RUNNING TO ME!”

And of course they’ll remember their favorite (and mine because it taught them to argue very quietly), “IF YOU KIDS DISTURB US PARENTS, YOU’RE ALL GROUNDED!”

The best part is that someday they’ll be saying the same things to their kids. Now that’s what I call a legacy! (Yes, the beat goes on and on and on…)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Our wisdom carries forward. My father’s fall advice was right. September IS the time to “buckle down.” Summer is over. Play time is done. School is back in session. It’s time to get back to work. To be honest, it’s a relief when the season changes and I no longer feel that summer pressure to be outside having fun.

It feels good to “buckle down” and get back to work on my projects. How about you? Do you feel it too? What are you buckling down to these days? May you find rich rewards and deep satisfaction in your work this week.

///And it feels good–a privilege and a blessing–to be interviewed on Christian Women Online by the Book Buzz reviewer Laurel Wreath. (Free books there too!)

/// AND it feels good to say “THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!” by giving away books to the winners in the final “August Meltdown.” CONGRATULATIONS to Kessea and her friend JoDean; Judy S. and her friend Nancy; and Kathy P. and her friend Rhonda. (Email me with your choice of book and your shipping instructions.)

May you be blessed just as you have blessed my life today! Enjoy the season!

*DaMama says this picture makes DaPapa look like a mobster. Which he wasn’t. I don’t think…

Listen to “Time to Buckle Down” on WHEM Christian radio.