A Late Good Morning to All,

I slept a little later than usual this morning....answered some of your emails (I always enjoy)..as well as your posts.

Yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time contacting the members that I did not see on the weekly weigh-in spreadsheet. I really do want everyone to have success in this journey and I think being accountable on the weigh-in spreadsheet helps us do that.

Some of you have contacted me to let me know you are not able to join us on the spreadsheet...some are having some challenging health issues...think you are not the gender (male) that would fit with us...belong to other groups...too much going on....new work-out program that may cause bulking and weight gain. I have invited them anyway to read our daily posts and to contribute if they like. They could still be of help to us. We all have a story to tell that might be needed to be heard by someone.

I want to thank all of you who will not be taking part in the weekly weight-in's for sharing with me what is going on in your lives and your reasons for not joining us. I honor your choices and hope we still will hear from you from time to time.

Good-Star Days

"Maybe one of these days I'll be able to give myself a gold star for being ordinary, and maybe one of these days I'll give myself a gold star for being extraordinary---for persisting. And maybe one day I won't need to have a star at all." Sue Bender

"I haven't yet gotten to the point where I don't need gold stars: gleaming, golden, five-pointed proof that I've accomplished something that was a bit of a stretch, especially if it was remembering to treat myself with the loving kindness that seems so much easier to give to others. Back in the days of blackboards and chalk, gold stars came in a small cardboard box. You'd take the lid off to find five hundred gold, paper-foil stars, stiff with dry glue backs. Running your fingers through the small pile of possibilites, you'd hear the rustling of self-worth. Nowadays gold stars get pulled off self-sticking sheets. You don't even get the taste of success on your tongue, but I love them just the same."

"Gold-star days are very different when we give them to ourselves. When you give yourself a gold star, sticking it to an empty calendar block, the star twinkles, winks and whispers "Good for you girl!" I particurlarly like to give myself gold stars when Im embarking on a new self-nurturing pastime or reviving one that has fallen by the wayside: walking, creative movement, healthy eating, writing my dialogue pages, meditation, slowing down, balancing work and play. The spirit may be willing, but all too often the flesh gets sidetracked.:

"The extraordinary days don't need gold stars. But ordinary days sure can be brighter with a shiny, five-pointed pat on the back."
Sarah Ban Breathnach

"Stress spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!" Author Unknown

I add to that....As you can see...stress spelled backwards is just part of the word desserts....a good point anyway!