Being Mother Theresa or something like it........

I love Mother Teresa.  She has always intrigued me with her love for all, unconditional.  She did exactly what God had planned for her.  She was unassuming, grateful and full of service.


To that end I wish I could be more like her at times.....and other times I am not so sure.


In my life, I listen to people and if I hear I can fix something or help with something, I try to do it.  It is what I was taught by example and in Church.  I love my faith.....just in case you could not tell!  To that end, I tend to overextend myself and do too much.  Yes, I now believe, I cannot do everything.  I am not responsible for everything.  I cannot do it all......and lastly, the world will survive.


I met up with a friend recently and was talking (rather listening) to what she felt she needed to do in a new chapter of her life.  She looked at me and said, "I am doing what I need to do; I cannot be freakin' Mother Teresa!"  That left a HUGE exclamation point in my head.  And it made me think.......feeling like I had the world on my shoulders with commitments  to work, charity, and my own life.  I was feeling like I was running from one thing to another, being a savior!  In reality I was just wearing myself out.


Today I called the Relay for Life Corporate I 88 group and resigned my Chair position for the Survivor tent.  I felt the weight of the world fall off my shoulders.  I am still participating BUT I don't have to coordinate food, get people in the right places being left out of fun with my team.  I will play and walk with my team.  I am very excited about this!  We have a great time, a great team, and we will raise money is support of celebrating more birthdays.  And the world did not end........


I mentioned this last time but I needed to put closure to it ......I have been long affiliated with Jazzercise and have supported the o'dark hundred class.  I have been with these ladies in one manner or another for 21 years.  My cohort retired and a business decision was made not to have a class manager at that time slot,  The owner, who I greatly respect, assured me I will always have a place to dance when my foot and ankle are ready.  Let me step back a bit.....I have been getting up JUST to open the class and meet with my friends, I was not dancing.  I had a responsibility to the class, I committed to be there to help out.


I respect that the owner is making changes; that is what life is about.  Initially I did not have time to process this information......I had a sick dog, I had a friend in hospice, and my life was very busy.  I lost the friend and the dog and now had time to let the change sink in.  Let me first say that CHANGE IS HARD......I did not have to get up at 4:30 to support the class; I lost who I was again.  I was mad, sad, angry.....and once that all passed I found relief.  I did not have to get up early, I had an opportunity to go back to the gym and work on what felt good to my foot and my body AND my spirit.  I am getting something done, I am feeling stronger both mentally and physically.  This change was a kick in the pants I needed to move on.  I FEEL GOOD  and the world did not come to an end,  I am not trivializing the amount of change or the gratitude I have for the chance to get my body back in working order.  There was a whole lot more going on but I find that I found peace with the changes that came.  A greater power was telling me to take care of me and afforded me the opportunity without the guilt.


I am learning that I am a good cog in a wheel but I don't have to do it all AND I don't have to do it alone.  The world will not stop if I choose to slow down and take care of me.  I am equally important to all the others I support.


That being said, I want to share one of my fun comfort recipes.  It is a wonderful dessert to share over the warm summer celebrations:

Berry Trifle

1     angel food cake torn into pieces
6     cups mixed berries  (if fresh berries are used, sprinkle with sugar to make a juice)
2     containers fat free  or low fat lemon yogurt
1     8 oz container cool whip


Tear the cake and place it in a bowl or the container it came in.  Toss the fruit with the sugar unless you are using frozen fruit; if using frozen make sure it is completely thawed.  Mix the 2 containers of yogurt with about 6 oz of cool whip.

Take your pretty trifle bowl and place half the angel food cake on the bottom, drizzle half the yogurt mixture, and finally half the fruit; repeat the layer.  Take the last little bit of the cool whip and put a large dollop on the top with fresh mint leaves.  Let sit for 30 min or so, keeping it cool.

It is a very refreshing, light and easy dessert.  ENJOY!


Until next time.......