Plateaus....

pla·teau   /plæˈtoʊ or, especially Brit., ˈplætoʊ/ Show Spelled [pla-toh or, especially Brit., plat-oh] Show IPA noun, plural -teaus, -teaux  /-ˈtoʊz, -toʊz/ Show Spelled[-tohz, -tohz] Show IPA, verb, -teaued, -teau·ing


–noun
1. a land area having a relatively level surface considerably raised above adjoining land on at least one side, and often cut by deep canyons.
2. a period or state of little or no growth or decline: to reach a plateau in one's career.
3. Psychology . a period of little or no apparent progress in an individual's learning, marked by an inability to increase speed, reduce number of errors, etc., and indicated by a horizontal stretch in a learning curve or graph.
4. a flat stand, as for a centerpiece, sometimes extending the full length of a table.
–verb (used without object)
5. to reach a state or level of little or no growth or decline, esp. to stop increasing or progressing; remain at a stable level of achievement; level off: After a period of uninterrupted growth, sales began to plateau.
–verb (used with object)
6. to cause to remain at a stable level, esp. to prevent from rising or progressing: Rising inflation plateaued


That is the way I feel about a lot of things right now...my fitness level/weight loss seems to have "plateaued", my career is DEFINITELY on a plateau and my personal life is either plateaued or going downhill.

Where do I go from here? What is God wanting me to learn from all this? I keep trying to listen but I don't hear anything (or sometimes I hear things I don't want to--I'm working on accepting His discipline)

So what's the plan of action? Well, I don't know. For now...keep doing what I'm doing.

1) Focus on my kids
2) Step up the exercise plan and cut out more of the bad stuff...
3) Keep my eyes and ears open for jobs/ways to earn extra money
4) Keep writing
5) Keep reading and learning
6) Keep my eyes, ears and heart open to God's direction
7) Eliminate the negative, focus on the positive
8) Surround myself with supportive, happy people
9) Keep looking ahead--I have a lot to look forward to and I have to remember, it's not on my timing, it's all on God's timing and His timing is perfect.
10) Forget about my own problems by helping others solve theirs. In the grand scheme of things, mine are not so big.
11) Keep being grateful for what I have.
12) Don't take the little things for granted
13) Praise God every day for SOMETHING
14) Remember that I AM somebody special
15) Treat others like THEY are somebody special, because they are.

One of my sweetest, most patient, dearest, most positive friends shared this devotion on her blog a week ago...only I wasn't ready to hear it. I am now. Thank you, Shalita!!!! I love you so very much and I don't deserve a friend like you but I thank you for being my friend anyway!


The Lessons of Tough Times

My devotion from a couple of days ago really spoke to me as I am sure it will speak to some of you going through tough times right now:


No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 NIV


In the midst of adversity, you may find it difficult to see the purpose of your suffering. Yet of this you can be sure: the times that try your soul are also the times that build your character. During the darker days of life, you can learn things you're unlikely to glean during sunny, happier days. Times of adversity can--and should--be times of intense spiritual and personal growth.


The next time Old Man Trouble knocks on your door, you don't have to throw him a party...but remember that he has lessons to teach that you don't want to miss out on. The trouble with trouble isn't just the trouble it causes; it's also the trouble we cause ourselves if we ignore the things trouble has to teach.




The size of your burden is never as important as the way you carry it.
~~Lena Horne

Be blessed!