I love challenges. Especially ones that I think I’ll succeed at and enjoy…because if I don’t think I’ll do well or like what I’m doing, I just don’t do it (I don’t like failure). I came across a great one today, and the unique thing about this challege is that I’m not going to like it, and I’ll probably fail, but I think it’s worth the effort.
Paige at Running Around Normal suggests a complaint-free February! I’m jumping on the bandwagon for the following reasons.
1) Phillippians 2:14 says, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning” (English Standard Version). Mybeliefs should be evident in my actions. This means I should not be complaining. Even more poignant is Luke 6:45: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Ouch. What I say speaks VOLUMES about the posture of my heart! But God shows love and grace to me that I don’t deserve, what do I have to complain about?!
2) My heart is clearly full of something negative because I feel like most things out of my mouth that may or may not appear on this blog are negative. It’s been weighing on me about the past few posts being slighty downer-posts. I was so happy to see Paige’s post today because it gave me the impetus that I needed to fix this. I want this to change!
3) I haven’t been feeling my best lately and it’s because I haven’t been treating my body that well. I have been eating crap and therefore feeling like crap. That is becoming apparent in my attitude. I am a firm believer in the “garbage in, garbage out” principle. I’m going to try much harder to stop my incessant snacking and make smarter, healthier choices so that I feel better and portray a much more positive Abby. Because normally, Abby is positive (just don’t ask my family!).

Who is with us?!

I’m happy to report that there is no more pain in my Achilles! After I iced it and massaged it a bit it was a little tender, but by morning it was 100% better! Woot! My body still functions after all! I was beginning to wonder.

I also went for a test run tonight to see how my foot was holding up. I did a 2 mile run with no pain or soreness, and then I came home and jumped on the bike for another 10 minutes. This was followed my some serious stretching, abs, and icing!

Julie, my Lost blend, has sent me the Blogger Beautiful Award! Thank, Julie! As part of this award, I’m going to share seven things you probably don’t know about me, then pass this on to seven other bloggers. However, I’m going to do this one post at a time. So over the next seven posts, look for seven facts and seven beautiful bloggers!

Fact #1- I began college as a Nursing major! I knew that I loved science and I loved books, so my mom suggested being a well-read nurse and I ran with it. I was accepted into the Pitt School of Nursing and loved all of my sciences courses but none of the nursing ones. I even had a semester in clinicals. I knew it wasn’t for me. So many nurses are unhappy and overworked and take it out on their patients. I did not want to be that nurse, and I knew that I would be if my heart wasn’t in it. And then I ended up in Classics and Philosophy.. I know it’s misleading, but these are not creative fields of study. Think ancient history and logic…and really they are all-encompassing degrees because so much of our society is influenced by Classical cultures, and almost all of our subjects and areas of thought began as the “simple” study of philosophy.

Today, I’m sending this award to PAIGE because she has a beautiful heart which is apparent in her challenge for a complaint-free February!

Speaking of Nursing, Mish, a nurse in training, the soul and personality behind Eating Journey, is hosting Self Love month and she asked me to participate! Mish has such a heart for all people and a strong desire to promote positive body image and self awareness as she shares her struggles. She is so insightful and has much to offer her readers. I love her blog, and if you’re not a reader I highly recommend becoming one!

Wow, no pictures? I’ll leave you with this one, because I think my dog is just so darn cute! This picture was taken just a few days after I got him in January of 2008! Since then he’s gained about 75 pounds..CRAZY!