My First March for Life

Last weekend I went to the March for Life in Washington D.C with a group of about 400 young people. It was an amazing experience not at all what I expected but amazing. I will go again for sure next year. The number of people who attended was insanely incredible. You could barely walk! Another thing that amazed me was the number of religious and seminarians. I mean compared to the number of lay people there wasn't that many but you usually don't see them all together in one place like that. I got to meet one of the brothers from EWTN. I was ecstatic! The day after the March we went to Arlington Cemetery and the Natural History museum. Arlington was so beautiful, the whole city was beautiful. I never imagined it would be. I thought big city, tall buildings dirty streets but instead there were trees and clean streets and giant buildings. Amazing! There is so much to see there. I saw the IRS building, the White House, the capital building, the national Basilica, three of the Smithsonian museums and many more things I can't remember. One thing that struck me as strange and quite a moronic thing was how if you walk through the city everywhere you come across quotes which speak of freedom and liberty and how no cause is more noble but the same folks who read these words every day and praise them allow abortion to be legal. What is wrong with our countrymen? What is wrong with us? We must stop this. It is unacceptable. It is un-American. It is anti-God.

Welcome to my Kingdom!

I just wanted to say hi and thank you to all my new followers. I hope to welcome you each individually but since I have been so negligent I thought a group welcome necessary. I hope you enjoy my randomness. I look forward to seeing yours!

Beating Winter Blues

Last February I decided that I was tired of being an old winter couch potato and resolved to get in shape. I started running every day. At first I couldn't even run around the block (we have a ridiculously short block so it was particularly embarrassing). After a month of plugging away at it though I was able to run a mile, the next month two. The next three. By August I could run six miles and was fit enough to go on a walking pilgrimage.
Going from being an anti-exercise person to a 10-K runner didn't happen overnight but took a lot of hard work and perseverance. It was worth it though from the joy of completing my first mile up to the thrill of running 10. I honestly can say I would do it again if I had too despite the "tears and bloodshed"(I'm just teasing but I did fall a few times). Here are tips that helped me overcome those obstacles we all encounter when trying to get in shape.

1) Just do it! I know your too tired or busy or you don't feel like it, it's too cold, but just do it. Once you get started you might actually find you enjoy it.

2) Don't over do it in the beginning. You can't expect to go from a quarter mile to ten overnight.It doesn't happen. You've got to be patient.

3) In the beginning you don't want to overdo it but just as importantly don't be a wimp. Be willing to challenge yourself.

4) Set goals. My goal was what I called "a mile a month". Every month I ran another mile. End of March I was running one a day, April two, May three etc...

5) Have variety in your workout schedule. I made the mistake of running every day down the same route. I got so sick of it.

6) Pray while you exercise. Whether you like to say the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet or just ad lib with the Lord include him in your exercise routine.

7) Choose a sport that is challenging but fun or two, a challenger and a fun one. For me running is a challenge but I love the thrill it gives me when I reach a new goal or run a different route. My "fun-fun" exercise though is aerobic dance and my all challenger is strength training with weights.

8) If ever I really don't feel like exercising and start naming off all the excuses I will list all the positive things about it; lifts my mood, energizes me, gives me some time to be alone etc...

9) As well as being good for your body exercise can improve you mentally. People who exercise are usually more energetic then those who don't and it has been proven to relive symptoms of depression and melancholy.

10) Even if you are the world's biggest couch potato(which I'm sure your not) you may find that you actually enjoy exercise and it may become for you a new hobby so to speak or area of interest in your life.

I hope this post is a help and not a hindrance to anyone trying to put more physical activity into their day. And for those who are not I hope it is an inspiration to go out there and try it!

Top 10 Stress-Busters

Everyone at some point in there life has to deal with that dreaded word...STRESS. It usually happens somewhere in that stretch of time when you go from being a care free child to a more mature person. I have had my share of stress no more then anyone else but I know what it is. This is my top ten list of how to deal with STRESS or just beat the blues when your feeling down.

1) Exercise. This is my top stress, blues,anxiety,and frustration reliever. Any kind of exercise is sure to cheer me up but my favorite form is running!

2)Singing. There is something about singing your heart out that makes you feel happy. Just sing from your soul and let it all out. It never fails to lift me up at least a little.

3)Writing a letter. Writing to a friend always makes me feel better. I don't necessarily have to write about my problems it just reminds me that I'm not alone I've got a support group.

4)Acting like a kid again. Whether it be tree climbing, reading my favorite picture books or playing hide and seek returning to the past puts life in a different light and helps me escape my troubles for a while.

5)Talking. It can be to your parents, your sister, yourself, your dog sometimes even the guy you meet on the bus but talking over your troubles almost always helps.

6)Talking a warm shower. Aaahhhh! Nothing better for soul and body.

7)Hot Tea. Add a tablespoon of honey and a little bit of lemon for a soothing afternoon or evening drink.

8)Journaling. Sometimes my feeling are all mixed up and I just need to sort them out by writing them down before talking about them.

9)Watch or read LORD OF THE RINGS! Sorry I am a total LOTR fanatic. I just love it.It makes life so much more endurable.

10)Prayer. I saved the best for last. You may not always get emotional relief from prayer but if you ask you will receive and God's grace will get you thru anything life dishes out whether it be college, job searching, loss of a loved one, depression or failure. God grace is enough for me. Go to the fountain of grace the Sacraments for a powerhouse of graces!

Please feel free to comment. What are your top stress-busters?

G.K. the Wise

Answer to this all ye relativists!

"Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies just because they become widely excepted."~G.K.Chesterton