Life's Treadmill by Belinda Burston

Our summer series of articles from guest bloggers continues with Belinda Burston of Whatever He Says blog

Until lately, I was on a treadmill that had nothing to do with fitness and I didn’t know how to get off. My lifestyle was hardly an inspirational model for others.

I was overwhelmed by my busy life. I told myself that soon things would settle down, but weeks went by and the pace didn’t let up. It didn’t occur to me that I was responsible for any of this.

My home and habits were in bad shape:

· I was not getting sufficient rest

· My finances were two months behind

· Every storage space in our home bore testimony to the “make room by pushing and piling,” philosophy, including the fridge and I hated the disorder

· I wasn’t taking time to plan and prepare healthy meals

· I ate junk food late at night for energy

· I told myself I didn’t have the luxury of time for exercise

Then a sudden health crisis resulted in emergency surgery and a recovery time of several weeks. Some major plans had to be cancelled. I had no choice but to stop completely.

I consider this crisis as a gift from God. It was an opportunity to stop the insanity. I knew that I didn’t want to go back to life as I had been living it. Slowly, I regained my sense of peace and my soul and spirit healed along with my body.

A quote from Peter Scazzero, in his devotional book, The Daily Office (p.15), summed up the essence of my problem:

“It was a favourite theme of C.S. Lewis that only lazy people work hard. By lazily abdicating the essential work of deciding, and directing, establishing values and setting goals, other people do it for you.”

My lessons and commitments:

1. I have a finite store of energy that must be respected and stewarded. I will no longer push myself beyond healthy limits

2. I choose to get adequate sleep and relaxation in order to replenish my energy

3. I am responsible for the state of my schedule; for what I say yes to and take on. I will grit my teeth and say no. Even to good things that I would love to do, if there is no spare room in my schedule

4. We are blessed with an abundance of healthy food in Canada and I will invest time in planning and preparing meals that nourish my body and keep it strong for life

5. Exercise is energizing and important to maintain fitness for the long haul. I will incorporate it several times into every week—my preference is walking our family dog or my Leslie Sansome exercise DVD, Walk Away the Pounds

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Belinda is a manager in the field of Developmental Services. She is a member of The Word Guild and of the Writers Nest writing group, and she blogs at http://www.whateverhesays.blogspot.com/

Her favourite verse is Hebrews 12:12 & 13:

So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall, but will become strong.