Living with grace

  Today's Mantra: "Happiness lies in the power and sweet simplicity of virtue"
 Have you ever heard someone say 'if only we were rich we would be happy' or 'all our problems would go away -- if we had more money' ? Recently someone I care about made both of these statements, in seprate conversations, quite publicly. I felt a twinge of regret on her behalf as soon as I saw her words. Happiness and peace do not come from wealth. The messages bombarding us daily are that sexual appeal, fashion, cars, houses, cosmetics, alcohol, cigarettes, Ritalin, Percoset, lavish living, and/or money will make us happy. Popular consent does not equal good.  It is true that security and stability can come from provident living and fiscal responsibility. Living within our means equals less stress and worry over debts we can not meet. Yes, life sometimes throws a curve ball -- a sweet relative of mine is very young and battling cancer. The financial strain on her family (they have little insurance) is great -- and those experiences are difficult and painful. I do not mean to diminish or trivialize the needs of those in such situations. However, I do believe that the idea that things bring happiness -- a house we can not afford for example -- is wrong. Seeking to fill our souls with things and popular approval leads us down a path to personal and fiscal bankruptcy, as evidenced by the current  situation in our great nation. If only more people would come to understand that happiness comes from the choices that govern our behavior, thoughts and desires.
 "....The Kingdom of God is not a democracy. Wickedness and righteousness are not legislated by majority vote, Right and wrong are not determined by polls or pundits, though many would have us believe otherwise. Evil never was happiness. Happiness lies in the power and sweet simplicity of virtue....."
--- Gordon B. Hinkley

“I would like to be remembered as someone who accomplished useful deeds, and who was a kind and loving person. I would like to leave the memory of a human being with a correct attitude and who did her best to help others.”  -- Princess Grace  This is exactly how I feel!

Yesterday's menu:

Breakfast: vitamins, Kashi Almond and Flax Granola Bar, a banana and 16 ounces of water.

Lunch: Chipotle burrito bowl -- NO rice, black beans, carnitas,  pico de gallo, corn salsa, lots of lettuce and guacamole. 32 ounces of water with lemon. 

Snack: Apple and banana

Supper: 1 small slice of cheese and olive pizza; mixed greens, cucumber, tomato salad with no dressing, one piece of watermellon. 16 ounces of water.

Workout:
I did all of my errands yesterday on my bike. I towed a trailer (the one that Margaret and Katherine used to ride in when they were toddlers) and loaded it up with groceries and other purchases as I went along. The ride was great. Manhattan is laid out nicely. There are a lot of hills -- but I enjoyed the ups and downs. It was good to feel my muscles pushed to the limit and then still keep going. All in all I cycled 10 miles.  I must say a small prayer of thanks -- the Kansas wind did not show up yesterday. I am not sure I would have made it the last three miles, with my trailer completely full, if I had to battle the wind!

You may have noticed that I have added a book review feature to the blog. If you are like most of the women I know you have at least three diet books sitting on your shelf (not including the cookbooks -- like weight watchers or Suzanne Sommers) and several workout videos of different genres. I thought, since I am going to be working out and tracking my diet anyway, I should read through some of those promise making books and see what I like and don't like. Then I will tell you all about it. If I like the book I will give the program a try and report back how well it works. I will do the same for workout dvds and videos. Maybe I can save someone $25 on a diet book!