Inspired . . . to run!

I am overflowing with so much joy and excitement right now because today I ran further and longer than I ever have before without stopping! I ran 1.5 miles this afternoon and for someone with Cystic Fibrosis, that is a major milestone. Never in a million years did I think that I could run that far and not die; I never imagined that I would enjoy it either!

When I was in 7th grade I participated in track. I hated it. My dad was a track star in his high school days and I know that he was hoping the dream would've been passed down to me. It was not. I hated running, practice was boring, the bus rides to track meets were too long and noisy, and the only thing I enjoyed about track meets was the fact that it was one GIANT PICNIC in between each race! I was not an athlete; I was there for the socializing and the eating.

I don't consider myself an athlete today either, but I am becoming very passionate about wellness. I have been working out with a personal trainer for 1.5 years and I've been diving into the world of nutrition. Through numerous Juice Plus conferences I have learned valuable information about nutrition that has made a tremendous impact in my lifestyle and my health. I give God all praise and glory for my health and I am thankful that he has provided me with tangible solutions to establishing better health. I credit my great achievement of running to Juice Plus and to the fact that I exercise on a daily basis. I am seeing amazing results in my health and I am determining to forge ahead mightily! I'm sure my doctor is going to flip tomorrow when I tell him this exciting news!

If I can accomplish something like this, I know without a doubt that you can accomplish whatever you set your heart on. As always, be blessed, be healthy, and be inspired!!

Once Again

I am a person that strongly believes in baring my soul to others in order to inspire them. With that in mind, I share the following piece of my history - how one of the first songs I wrote came to light and how the lessons revealed in that song continue to surface throughout my journey on earth.

In 1999, after being suddenly dumped by someone that I really loved, I broke down. It may not have been apparent to everyone around me, or even to this other person, but inside I was devestated and broken. Instead of burying these feelings to the depth of my being, I let myself feel it all to it's fullest. I dug deep within myself and allowed the full measure of pain, betrayel, and regret to be experienced, and then I curled up under God's arms and allowed him to sew my broken heart back together again. The result was one of the first songs I ever wrote, entitled "Once Again."

Several months after writing it, when the wounds were starting to scab over, I was asked by one of my teachers to submit it for my Honors English class as a special project. I was excited and willing to do so, until she informed me that she wanted me to record myself singing it so the entire class could hear it. This was a scary thought for me because my ex was in this class and I wasn't sure that I was ready for my feelings to be put out there for everyone to see, especially him. I decided that if I truly wanted to become an artist in the future, I needed to get used to the idea of letting people into my inner most thoughts, so I went forward with it. (It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.) Little did I know that only two years later this song would end up on my first recorded album. I have decided to share the words of this song with you:

Once Again

copyright 1999 and 2001 Mandy Brakel and Lonely Moose Records

Broken hearted, lost beyond control

Tears have started and I can't seem to let go

Of the pain that's dwelling deep inside

But Lord, I know what's happened is right

chorus

Once again, I'm coming before you

Once again, please make my heart brand new

I'm always trying to do things my own way

Once again, I'm down on my knees, Lord I pray

Once again

I know you're fed up with the way I've come to act

Taking my whole life into my own hands

But every time I've come to find

That Lord, your way is always right

Lord, I know you hear me

I know you know my every move

Now I'm giving it all back to you

Fast forward to 2008. I have recently discovered that the words of this song still ring true to my heart. Situations may have changed, but many times I find myself feeling the same way. I keep trying to take my life into my own hands, manipulating situations to fit my idea of perfection. Whenever I do that, I find that I only screw things up. I make them worse and I lose sight of where I am going because I let my selfishness take over.

As a woman of God, I am devoting myself to living his perfect will for my life and sometimes this is not an easy thing to do. Recklessly abandoning my agenda and diving into God's exciting adventure is not always the story book life that I envisioned. More often than not, it's easier, and less painful, to regress or stay in one spot than to move forward. I know that there will always be times in life where, once again, I have to come before God and let him make my heart brand new. There will always be times when I am broken hearted or feel lost beyond control. The exciting thing is that this only happens when growth is taking place and I am so thankful that God is always there, ready and waiting to pick me up, strengthen me, and encourage me on his desired path for my life.

Thank you for letting me share a piece of my heart. I hope this testimony is refreshing for you. Be healthy, be blessed, and be inspired!

The Traveler's Gift - Decision #1

I recently read the book "The Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews and I have challenged myself to commit to memory and heart each decision from this book for 21 days at a time. Wow, talk about revealing sleeping giants and learning how to tame them!

THE BUCK STOPS HERE

For the last 11 days I have been waking up every day and going to bed every night by applying this decision to my life. I walk into my bathroom, look myself in the eyes through my mirror, and repeat the following:

1. I accept responsibility for my past.

2. I control my thoughts.

3. I control my emotions.

4. I am responsible for my success.

5. The buck stops here, with me, Mandy Lynn Anderson.

I have realized many amazing details about myself since I have been doing this. For one, I have discovered that I have a tendancy to dwell on my past way too much. Lately I have been reliving memories and wallowing in things that never were and I have wasted precious time, therefore delaying my own success.

I recently also had the revelation that I have not forgiven certain key people in my past, including myself. Well no more missy! From now on I am going to make a conscious effort to forgive myself and anyone else who comes to mind. I plan on forgiving these people every single day if I have to until finally the grasp is released.

This exercise of the mind is proving to be a valuable technique that I do plan on pursuing for the rest of my life. I am not proud of the fact that I somehow manage to hold on to thoughts, emotions, and events of my past and let them slow me down while trying to attain greatness. I am, however, thankful of the fact that I have not yet reached my desired potential. I am blessed to have this opportunity to dig deeper into the depth that is my soul, knowing full well that I will be stronger on the other side.

I encourage you to get this book and dig deeper within yourself to discover potential you didn't know was buried. You'll thank yourself for doing so!

As always, stay healthy, be blessed, and be inspired!