O, Spring, Wherefore Art Thou?

"Spring comes as a long awaited friend that rejuvenates your soul with her very presence." (unknown)

I remember very little about the play Romeo and Juliet, but one thing I do remember, and I think just about anyone can quote, are the famous lines that Juliet chanted.

 O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

That's kind of how I'm feeling about the word "Spring" this year. It's like the long awaited return of a dear friend or lover. It just can't get here soon enough. 

Everyone has different expectations of the reunion of the long awaited "Spring", as well. Some rejoice at just celebrating the official date (March 21st) that rings in Spring. Others relate it to vacation time (Spring break). Some anticipate the change in weather - probably shouldn't hold our breath on that. 
For me, this is Spring:

• New life - My neice is expecting her first child in about 6 weeks. This will be my first "grand-neice"(yep, it's a girl.) Tomorrow I am going to attend her baby shower. What a wonderful celebration of life during the Spring season! 
• Colorful flora - I love flowers and being out in the garden! And I love color! I am daily anticipating the thawing of the soil, so flowers can begin to "Spring up" everywhere!
• Nature coming alive - For the past week, I have heard the birds singing again. And just the other day, a robin spent hours right out in front of my window, feeding, sitting, and just enjoying the beginning of Spring! (Also, I love robin eggs in a nest.)  
• Longer days, more sunshine - Already, I am seeing the difference in the days. We are on daylight savings time, so it doesn't get dark until around 7:30-8:00. And, even though there still are some cold, overcast, gloomy days, there seem to be a few more sunny days, too!                                                            
• Celebrating Easter -  Of course, one thing we can count on every year, as Spring approaches, is the Easter season! This is one of my favorite seasons! (I'll be sharing more on this subject next week.)

 Wishing you a blessed Spring.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, a time to remember and worship the King of Kings!

 Linking over to these blog hops:

Those Emotional “Ups and Downs”

Whoever says it's easy to be a woman needs to go through the hormonal challenges that we go through!

 

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Perimenopause, which means "around menopause," refers to the 2 to 8 years of changing hormone levels and related symptoms that lead up to menopause. (I've been one of the "lucky" ones to have been going through it, going on 12 years, now!) The most common sign of perimenopause is longer, often irregular menstrual cycles that are caused by hormonal ups and downs.

Perimenopause is a time of unpredictability. Menstrual and hormone-related symptoms are different for every woman. Some (lucky ones)notice few or no changes. And others have severe symptoms that disrupt their sleep and daily lives. As during the teen years, irregular cycles can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. Other common symptoms include mild to severe hot flashes, insomnia, cloudy thinking, headaches, heart palpitations, mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety. Some of these symptoms can also be related to aging and other life changes.

How can I relieve my symptoms?

I’ve tried several natural therapies and vitamins. The most effective approach to relief covers the foundation of women’s health: a deliberate diet, enjoyable exercise(which I've gotten away from), rest and relaxation, herbs and nutrients targeted to hormonal balance, and solid emotional support. Stress level also has a major influence, so learning stress reducing activities may help.

Also, it's encouraged to start with a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin-mineral complex. I use a set of supplements that were prescribed by a women's natural hormone replacement specialist at a local pharmacy. Such targeted nutritional support may be enough to begin healing your hormonal pathways. Most women find that adding high-quality nutrients and phytotherapy is enough. Others need more support to reach ideal symptom relief. Different women have different needs, so you may want to work with a practitioner to decide which added therapies would help you. (For me, these things helped some, but I still struggle with occasional symptoms, sometime severe.)

O.k. all you perimenopausal/menopausal women, please stand and take a bow!!! You deserve to be treated like a queen!! Also, any women with PMS or PMDD may join this group of sufferers!     

For a little humor, here is an old blog post from the blog "Ungirdled Passions" that had me laughing and crying all at the same time. Author, Tracy, describes her take on the hormonal issues we often face. And having a teenager, too!?! Oh, my, not good!!

All kidding aside, I really dislike this part of being a woman!! Guess I'm feeling several of the symptoms today and it sucks! Praying the Lord gives me some relief! Also praying for any of you out there in blogger-land that are also suffering. May we let this difficulty be something that will give God glory and each of us greater faith and strength!

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

Linking over at these blog hops:
On Your Heart Tuesday @ A Pause on the Path
Gathering at the Grace Cafe' @ Reflections of His Grace
 Heartprint Hallelujahs @ Heartprints of God
Faith Filled Friday @ Beholding Glory
Bless and Be Blessed @ Bible Love Notes
Sharing His Beauty @ The Beauty in His Grip

"It Takes Guts to Get out of the Ruts!"

I've felt this way before, but for some reason, this time I'm more emotional and sensitive. Maybe it's my swinging Peri-menopausal hormones. :/ (yes, I'm at that transitional age) Maybe it's the frustrations of broken promises and messed up plans. Most likely it's going so long without having any direction in my life.  Stuck in no man’s land — wishing things were different, yet wary of putting myself out there to get let down… again? Whatever it is, I'm feeling like I'm stuck in a rut.

"Stalled. It’s natural to feel this way when we’re in the middle of yesterday and tomorrow."

My post title comes from a quote someone once said:

"It takes guts to get out of the ruts."
Robert H. Schuller 

I guess, I really hadn't thought of it that way, but the one thing about being IN a rut is that it's not easy to get OUT of it.

Have you ever felt like this?

5 Signs That You're Stuck in a Rut 

 1. Absolutely everything is harder than it should be. Nothing is simple or easy. Every thing you try to do is a monumental effort. But, I'm reminded of the saying. . 

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 2. You feel like you’re constantly ending up in the same situation. You try so hard to change things yet the more you try, the more things stay the same.

3. YOU LACK JOY, YOU'RE TIRED, YOU LACK ENTHUSIASM 

DEEP DOWN YOU KNOW SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT. YOU MAY START TO FEEL ANXIOUS ABOUT THINGS, YET NOT EVEN REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE FEELING THE WAY YOU DO. YOU MAY EVEN FEEL TRAPPED OR HOPELESS.

 4. You worry about everything  You don’t trust things to go right and really with your experiences lately, why should you? You don’t have confidence in your decisions and you’ve lost touch with your inner self.

 5. Life just feels like it is a constant struggle.  Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally you are drained. You just go through the motions just to make it through the day. You just don’t know what to do anymore.  

I think we've all felt a few of these things, one time or another. . .

What To Do?

Job 17:9
“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” (NLT)

There is a way out, but it takes some effort (and guts), and the lack of energy that comes with feeling stuck in a rut won’t help. So it’s important to take small steps and as you see the results you will feel encouraged to keep going. 

1.  Change your Routine -  Try purposely changing your routine, with small things at first, like take a walk after work, instead of plopping down in front of the t.v.
2.  Spend More Time Amongst Nature - Take the time to just enjoy your surroundings and take it all in.(I try to have my camera handy, so I can "catch" the little things in picture memories.)
3.  Stop Negative Self Talk - When you catch yourself complaining or making negative comments in your mind, stop yourself. Replace negative self talk with positive reflections about your life.
4.  Mix with Positive People - Seek out positive and enthusiastic people - enthusiasm is contagious!
5.  Get into the Word - Many verses inspire us to Godliness, Fear of the Lord, trust, service, courage, kindness, authenticity and perseverance. The gospel reminds us that God is not out to get us. Instead God is for us. It reminds us that life is not about our self-fulfillment, but about our faithfulness to Him.
6.  Get Healthy- Start to work fresh healthy food into your diet and bring some exercise into your routine.
7.  Give something back - Contributing to others gives us a great sense of purpose in life. Where can you give more?
8.  Take Responsibility - Even if you can’t always control your external circumstances, you can always control how you choose to feel and react to them.

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It's gonna take some "guts", but I'm gonna work at getting out of my rut, starting today! If you are feeling in a rut, too, won't you join me in working your way out? (with a prayer for God's help along the way)

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7 )

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Linking over at these blog hops:
On Your Heart Tuesday @ A Pause on the Path
Gathering at the Grace Cafe' @ Reflections of His Grace
 Heartprint Hallelujahs @ Heartprints of God
Faith Filled Friday @ Beholding Glory
Bless and Be Blessed @ Bible Love Notes
Sharing His Beauty @ The Beauty in His Grip