Peace From Within - By Trish Berg

I have been there. I have gone to a family dinner or event with angst in my heart, defensive and at the ready to attack someone, anyone, who said something inappropriate or hurtful to me or anyone in my immediate family.

Yes, I have been there. And let me tell you it is not a nice place to be.

When you enter a family event or dinner with that kind of angst and anger, you are bound to explode at someone or let the anger build up inside so you blow up at your own family later.

I love my family, but people are people, and we are all different, so there are bound o be challenges...

And though my family has not changed, I have. I can not control those around me, I can control myself.

I can change my heart.

For example....I have some family members who never, and I mean never, ask me about my life. My teaching or writing, or anything going on in my life. I used to let that hurt my feelings. No longer.

I have made the decision to be free of that angst by recognizing that my self worth does not come from what others say about me or to me. No pat on the back or ego boost from words will make me any more than what I am.

My self worth comes from God, from striving to be what He wants me to be. Period.

So, how does that make me peaceful and joyful at family events?

Simple. I realize that I am not there to get my ego stroked. I am there to BE WHAT OTHERS NEED ME TO BE.

I am there for them. For Jesus. For Jesus to use me anyway He wants to bless others and point them towards His love.

And though that may sound idealistic, it is rather practical. Here are five ways you can find peace and joy from within at your next family event, just in time for Christmas.

5 Ways To Find Peace From Within At Family Events

1. EXPECT NOTHING - Enter the event with the expectation that no one will ask you about your life. Let go of that expectation. Do not set yourself up for disappointment.

2. MAKE IT ABOUT THEM - Make your time at this event about others, not about you. Ask others about their lives, their jobs, their hobbies, their interests. Make all of your conversations outwardly focused on the people you are talking to, and bless them with your interest.

3. PRAY - Pray before you go to the event that God can use you to bless those you come in contact with. Pray for God's peace and guidance, that He give you the words He wants you to use.

4. TIME IT - Set a time limit to stay at the event, and stick to it. Speak to your spouse ahead of time and decide how long you will be at the event. We will go to your mom's from 6 pm until 11 pm, and then we will head home. Having a time frame will allow you to be in the moment and know when you will head home.

5. KEEP IT SIMPLE - Keep your conversations simple and surface related. Don't dig deep into current events, politics or faith. A family event is not the right time to dig deep into any hot topic area, and doing so may set you up for an argument or uncomfortable conversation. So, go with several light hearted topics in mind, keep it simple and fun.

Tips to a Healthier Christmas- Trish Berg

Ok- this may be the toughest post I have ever written. I am not sure I have a good game plan. I love the Christmas baking and cooking, and probably eat way too much fromThanksgiving to New Years.

But, I do exercise. I try to go to step aerobics class 3 times a week, as usual for me, during the holiday time. And I add in a jog or walk or to each week as well.

My theory is go ahead and eat what you want, but try to eat in moderate amounts. And exercise more to burn off those extra calories.

Sorry of that sounds lame. I know. Not a great tip form me this week.

But I do have some fantastic ways you can exercise during the holidays. this is from a post on my Tip of the Week that goes out every week. (You can sign up for free via my website.)

5 Tips to Staying Healthier This Holiday Season

1. SALAD DRESSING - Did you know that the cap to your favorite salad dressing is 1 tablespoon? So, if the serving size is 2 tablespoons, pour 2 cap-fulls onto your salad and you have kept those calories down.

2. SAUTE IN PAM - Many of you already do this, but you save a ton of calories by simply sautéing your food in PAM instead of butter or oil. And they have a variety of flavors, too!

3. NIBBLE NO MORE - If you are like me, you nibble as you cook. Those calories can add up fast and you end up overeating without even thinking about it. Here’s a great tip. Simply chew sugar free gun while you cook. No more nibbling, calories saved. (Chewing gum also works late at night when you are watching TV and have the urge to snack.)

4 .CHOCOLATE CRAVE - When you are up late at night wrapping presents or baking and you get that chocolate urge, grab a bowl of Special K Chocolate Delight cereal instead of candy. It has more nutrients, fewer calories, and will fill you up and satisfy that chocolate craving.

5. PLAY OUTSIDE - No time to go to the gym to exercise? Well, simply take your children sled riding. You will get plenty of exercise walking up those hills. Or grab a girlfriend, bundle up and go for a winter walk. The air will refresh your spirit and the exercise will refresh your body.

Most of all, don’t stress about things, especially exercise and dieting. Binge diets never work for long; you have to think long term. Keep your goals reasonable and attainable, make it a family affair, and make it fun. Being healthy is a journey not a destination. When you backslide, and you will, just start fresh again, and again, and again.

And here are some neat FAST FACTS on how many calories you burn every day

How Many Calories Does THAT Burn?

• Walking 30 minutes burns 149 calories
• Grocery shopping for 30 minutes burns 122 calories
• Fast dancing for 30 minutes burns 171 calories
• House cleaning burns 216 calories every 30 minutes
• Mopping your kitchen floor burns 153 calories every 30 minutes
• Kissing burns 1.2 calories per minute
• And even brushing your teeth burns 6 calories in 2 minutes
• washing the dishes or ironing burns 77 calories
• Even playing cards burns 59 calories
• And for all you couch potatoes out there, watching a 30 minute sitcom burns 36 calories (Must be all the laughing…)
* Data from The Calorie Control Council

So the best advice? Reduce your calorie intake, and burn more calories by doing more stuff. Break out those Christmas CD’s to start dancing in the kitchen as you chew gum and bake, and pucker up and kiss the ones you love!

Enjoy the journey- Trish
www.TrishBerg.com
Psalm 118:24

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Brenda's Christmas Cooking Tip

What's my cooking tip? Don't!

Take the family out for dinner at a restaurant and relax! The holidays can be like holidaze and often we need to nurture our family-together time. This is a picture of my goofy family having a goofy time while building memories.

Tell me how often you spend time together at a sit-down meal? According to Traits of a Healthy Family, eating together at least three times a week is considered a strength. I hope you can claim that. If not, make it your new year's resolution. . . for the kids' sake.