The True Reason for the Christmas Season

Christmas is a time for the celebration of the birth of Christ, “Christ-mas” is a two-part word; Christ (the Anointed One) and Mass(a service which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) as Christians we remember that Jesus came to earth died for us and then came back to life to save us. Billions of people celebrate Christmas around the world, the majority are people like myself, who celebrate for religious purpose. For others, the celebration is centered around commercialism. 

Gift giving is a big part of the Christmas season. Many people will spend large sum of money to buy gifts for family and friends. The commercialization of Christmas entices us to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on gifts, some will spend money they do not have, in other words; incurring debt that could take years to pay off.  I encourage each of us to pause and reflect on the “true reason” for the season and on the truth behind gift giving.  The Gospels states that the Wise Men, who were distinguished, wealthy foreigners, visited the baby Jesus after his birth, bearing giftsof gold, frankincense and myrrh. As you open your beautiful wrapped presents this Christmas remember it all started with a celebration of Jesus birth!

The Creator of the Universe demonstrated His love for us by sending His only begotten Son 

in the form of a baby borne unto a Virgin, named Mary. The scriptures continue, “Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”! What great love displayed by our Lord! This is the miracle of Christmas. 

As we safely gather with our families and friends during this Christmas, let’s us not forget the “true reason” for our celebrations.  God’s desire is that we will come to the full knowledge of His Divine purpose and accept His “Gift” and be eternally united to His family! The “Gift of Jesus” is the true reason for the season.

This has been a most challenging year with the pandemic, political and social unrest, loss of love one’s, loss of jobs and coupled with the increase in stress and anxiety. What better time to look to the Creator of the Universe for peace, love and good tidings.!

May His Face shine upon you and bring you peace and joy.

Have a Blessed Merry Christmas!

What is Wellness?

Wellness is to assume responsibility for the quality of your life. It begins with a conscious decision to shape a healthy lifestyle. Wellnessis the complete integration of body, mind and spirit---the realization that everything we do, think, feel and believe has an effect on our state of well-being. Wellnessis an alternative dependency on doctors, drugs, to complacency, to mediocrity and to self-pity, boredom and slothfulness.Wellnessis an Attitude.  

To best describe wellness, I will share a traumatic personal experience which occurred more than thirty years ago….

As a young adult, I worked as a shift supervisor for a major manufacturing corporation in Augusta, Georgia.  One evening while at work, I entered a storage room, which had a large wooden overhead door, it was 12-14 feet high and weighed 600 pounds. As I came under the door, that evening, the door mechanism broke and it came crashing down, full force on top of my head. You don’t have to be a scientist to calculate that the weight and force was enough to have killed me. It was a miracle that I survived.  After a brief stay in the hospital, doctors did not find any broken bones, but I was left with excruciating pain in my head and neck, along with shattered emotions (due to fear of not recovering).

Before the accident I was your typical couch potato. Exercise was the farthest thing from my mind even though I was overweight, I was not motivated to exercise. After the accident, I experienced chronic pain and had difficulty relaxing the muscles in my shoulders and neck.  For more than six months, I went from doctor to doctor in search of relief and a strong desire to return to “normal”. I was on my way up the corporate ladder. The fear of not reaching my career goals and being crippled for life intensified the physical and emotional pain. 

My friends said that I would never recover and that I should sue the company. There was clear negligence for failure to fix the overhead door. I later learned that key personnel knew the door was faulty prior to my accident. But my desire was not to sue the company, I only wanted be “well” and to get on with my life and career. I was not looking for a “free ride".

To help with the pain and anxiety, doctors prescribed various pain killers and antidepressant drugs. But my emotional state worsens; the root of the depression was fear of not recovering. The company provided the finest medical care, but I did not want to be dependent on prescription drugs for the rest of my life. I was determined to be drug free!

One day I went to visit a psychologist; I will refer to him as an “Angel” sent by God. This “Angel Doctor” told me that he jogged for relaxation. I looked at him in disbelief and asked “you do what to relax?” He described how exercise helps the body and mind relieve stress. Up to this point, I had associated exercise as hard work, certainly not therapeutic or fun. Well I was desperate to try something besides prescription drugs. I went out bought a pair of athletic shoes and began to walk. 

As I walked around my neighborhood, I began to not only feel better, I was having fun. A short time later, while walking, I met a friend who motivated me to begin jogging. Within five months I was completely free of prescription drug, started teaching aerobics classes and participating in 10k road races. The rest is history, I became “sold out” on the benefits of exercise as a means to heal, and become well.  Other benefits of my new healthy lifestyle included weight loss, improve attitude, and increased energy.

 Now that I looked back on this accident, it was indeed my wake-up call to my life mission; which is to educate, and inspire others to improve their health and well-being. Wellness is a focus on the whole person, spirit, mind and body! Stay tune next week for part II.

To Your Health and Happiness,

Dot High-Steed is a Life Coach, who has over 25 years of experience in health/wellness, ministry, business and education. 

Dot may be reached at:  

oneononewdot@yahoo.com

https://www.successunlimitedwdot.com  

https://www.facebook.com/success2050

To Everything There’s a Season 

We all experience change and transition in life. Sometimes life is exciting, dynamic, and we feel on top of the world. And then just as natural seasons changes, our world can be turned upside down in an instant!

Life changes and transitions can be tough. Life seems to operate in seasons. Some parts of life are like spring: new beginnings, a fresh start, a brand-new job, or a creative opportunity. Starting things always feels so exciting, so invigorating, and so hopeful. Summer is when the living seems easier. Relationships are thriving, work seems effortless, and the pleasant days are long. Autumn brings a cool, refreshing change, but always a reminder of days lost and the reminder of what lies ahead. 

Life changes makes us remember (and long for) the past; we leave friends for a new chapter, say goodbye to a loved one, or move for another opportunity. And then, as certain as ever, winter arrives. The cold, bitter harshness of a season that tests the fortitude of us all. It poses the question: how strong are you?

When life's winter seasons fall upon you—through the loss of a loved one, the end of a great chapter in your life, or the termination of something you couldn't imagine ending—many times, we are overcome with grief. How did this happen? How long will this endure? Will I survive? Am I strong enough?

Winter has a way of testing the resolve of people, rewarding those with grit and determination with the hope of spring. When you find yourself in life's winter moments, here are three things you can do during this season of life.

1. Be Intentional. Purposely set your mind to be positive. Tell yourself “this winter season will not define me; this too shall pass”. Spring is on its way!

2. Trust your own resolve. You're a lot stronger than you think. Remind yourself of how you overcame past obstacles and strive to be even stronger. 

3. Tough times do not last, tough people do. Tough situations can add to our story and build character. Remember to surround yourself with supportive relationships and take care of yourself.

4. Understand the time and season. There are some people who are in your life only for a season.   Trying to hold on to friendship past the season causes the relationship to sour. 

King Solomon of the Bible understood life seasons, he wrote:

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:  A time to be born,

And a time to die; A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill,

And a time to heal; A time to break down,

And a time to build up; A time to weep,

And a time to laugh; A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain,

And a time to lose; A time to keep,

And a time to throw away; A time to tear,

And a time to sew; A time to keepsilence,

And a time to speak; A time to love,

And a time to hate; A time of war,

And a time of peace.

Let the peace of the Lord rule in your heart.

To Your Health and Happiness1

The Healing Power of Love

In our present day, many people are spurring bitterness and hatred based on differences in cultures, race, political views, religion and any other excuses they may find to justify their anger. We must come to a place to agree to disagree, for the sake of our children and their children and their children. We must pray and believe for civility, respect and peace for our Nation. It’s time to heal. Healing starts with our individual selves. It’s nearly impossible to help, and have empathy for others past your own disillusion and pain. If today you are hurting emotionally or physically, I have good news! The love of Christ can heal all hurts. True love for ourselves and for others can only be manifested through our love for Christ.God is Love.The Bible states in John 3:16, “ForGod so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. This includes having a good life here and now!

I am reminiscing a popular song, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love It's the only thing that there's just too little of What the world needs now is love, sweet love, No not just for some but for everyone. These beautiful lyrics initially sang by Jackie DeShannon more than 55 years ago still rings true today! The world needs more love, our country needs more love, we need more love! 

The healing power of Love can bring our Nation together. We are not Blue or Red, Republican or Democrats, these are only labels that we temporarily bestow upon ourselves to express our values. In the larger picture, we are all humans with the same needs and wants, with a desire to be fulfilled with love and peace.

A house divided cannot stand, a Nation divided cannot stand. We are the United States of America, the greatest country on earth. Let’s live up to our Pledge… We are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The second paragraph of the United States Declaration of Independence starts as follows: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. 

The Bibles states, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

May the Lord bless you, May His face shine upon you and give you peace!

God Bless America!
 

Dot High-Steed is a Life Coach, who has over 25 years of experience in health/wellness, business and education. 

Dot may be reached at:  

oneononewdot@yahoo.com

https://www.successunlimitedwdot.com  

https://www.facebook.com/success2050

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

At this time, many people are fearful and anxious with the events surrounding COVID-19. This unseen enemy has affected our livelihoods and wellbeing. During these time of uncertainty, I want to appeal to you to care for and protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children. The data is conclusive that when there is a major crisis, in this case a world pandemic, child abuse increases. Many parents are overwhelmed with the need to provide food and shelter, in light of being unemployed/ underemployed and they are required to homeschool with little or no training. Not in our recent history have children and teens been sheltered in their homes with little or no physical contact with their extended family, friends and teachers. This makes for a potential toxic and harmful environment for innocent children who depend on their parents and other caring adults for a healthy existence.

Children’s limited outside contact with others inhibits the detection of abuse. Schools have personnel who are trained to detect and report child abuse. The latest reports in the media indicates that child abuse is sadly increasing. No child deserves to be hurt or neglected. We know also well that children are violently injured physically, emotionally and killed by the hands of their parents and or caretakers. According to TexProtects, in Texas, more than 3 children die from abuse or neglect on average every week, 182children are confirmed victims daily, and more than 7 children are maltreated every hour.

There are four basic types of child abuse. Children being abused are likely to experience more than just one type of abuse: 

1. Neglect:Failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, medical, or emotional needs. Leaving a young child home alone or failing to provide needed medical care may also be considered neglect. Over 80% of child abuse cases in Texas and in the U.S. are the result of neglect.
2. Physical Abuse:A physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, such as bruises, fractures, or death. It also can include a genuine threat of harm even if there is no visible injury.
3. Emotional Abuse: An action that results in a marked impact on a child's growth, development, or psychological functioning. Emotional abuse includes extreme forms of punishment such as confining a child in a dark closet, habitual scapegoating, or belittling to the point that it results in noticeable effects on the child's daily functioning.
4. Sexual Abuse: Sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare. This includes fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or producing pornography.

How you can help?

1. If you see or suspect child abuse call the child abuse hotline: 1800 -252-5400.
2. Check in on your family, friends and neighbors with school age children offer assistance when it’s feasible.
3. Volunteer your time in schools and community based organization who provide vital services for our children.
4. Support legislation that provide the legal support to protect our children. 
5. Always provide love and care to children. They are precious to God and to the future of our world. 

Partial Reprint: TexProtects.org 

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Dot

Many of us are stuck at home due to the "Shelter in Place", "Stay at Home" mandate because of the coronavirus outbreak. This disruption in our daily routines can cause much anxiety and depression, heightened by layoffs and loss of income. 

Here are a few do's and don’ts’s to survival during this time:

Do maintain a schedule close to the pre-virus schedule

Do get plenty of sleep. Avoid staying up late and sleeping in late.

Do reach out to family, friends and co-workers through social media. FaceTime, ZOOM, and the "old fashioned" phone calls!

Do eat healthy and exercise daily. This is an excellent time to go outside and walk (maintain the social distancing).

Do something new! Those ideas and projects you have wanted to do, but did not have time. Now is the time.

Do keep your trust in the Lord! Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Don’t' over think and worry. Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 

Don't isolate yourself from others. Especially those that are close to you. Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two is better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

Don't over eat and or veg out in front of the television. Watching too much television can increase anxiety and depression with all of the reporting on the virus. 

Don't use drugs and alcohol as a means to escape. 

I hope this helps you as it is helping me to bring peace and stability during this difficult time. "This too shall pass". Keep the faith.

To Your Health and Safety!

In Times of Uncertainty…..

There is an invisible enemy among us! Namely, COVID-19, or more commonly called the Coronavirus. As many of you are aware we have in the past faced national emergencies, seen and unseen. To name a few, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Swine Flu, and 9/11. The commonality that we have manifested throughout these difficult times, is that we grow closer as human beings, we grow closer and stronger as a Nation. During these difficult and uncertain times, as Americans; we not only seek help and protection for ourselves but for others. As a Nation, we are strong and resilient because of our reliance on the Divine sovereignty of God. We must continue to stand strong and committed to words spoken by our 16^thPresident Abraham Lincoln, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” United we stand, divided we fall”.

We are all faced with massive uncertainty as we face the constant change to our daily lives: School and business closures, social distancing, workplace layoffs, restricted travel, just to name a few! We have never been in a situation like the coronavirus is presenting us with. When faced with much uncertainty, it is a rather normal human response to go into at least some degree of fear and anxiety.  Some of you may even be experiencing panic. We try to understand “why” this happening and make some sense out of it with our minds to give ourselves some degree of certainty and safety.  Attempting to figure it out is not the highest use of your mental energy. We must trust in the Lord and follow the orders and recommendations of our local, state and Federal government to help conquer this hidden enemy!  There is no need for panic and uncontrolled anxiety. “This too shall pass.”

To quote President Franklin Roosevelt, “This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days”. “These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men”.  

Verses from my favorite Biblical passage: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease”. The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name”.
    

To Your Health and Happiness!

Healthy Body by Dottie

Start the New Year with Your Own Personal Health Coach! 

Coach Dot will provide you with the knowledge and guidance to a healthier, slimmer you in 2020.

Program packages Includes:

•   Professional accountability and motivation
•   Personalized fitness assessments and goal setting
•   Personalized eating plans
•   Tailored exercise programs
•   Weekly monitoring in person and or online.

Dot High Steed is a Professional Health and Life Coach. She has more than 25 years of experience in helping others achieve optimal health and fitness.    #vision2020      See the new you in 2020!

Schedule Today your Free Consultation and a review of affordable packages.

Contact Coach Dot at:

830-719-5090 

oneononewdot@yahoo.com

successunlimitedwdot.com

The True Reason for the Christmas Season

Christmas is a time for the celebration of the birth of Christ, “Christmas” is a two-part word; Christ (the Anointed One) and Mass(a service which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) as Christians we remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life. Billions of people celebrate Christmas around the world, the majority of the people like myself, celebrate for religious purpose. For many others, the celebration is cultural, centered around commercialism. 

Gift giving is a big part of the Christmas season. Many people will spend large sum of money to buy gifts for family and friends. The commercialization of Christmas entices us to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on gifts, many will spend money they do not have, in other words; incurring debt that could take years to pay off.  I encourage each of us to pause, and reflect on the real reason for the season and on the tradition of gift giving.  The Gospels states that the Wise Men, who were distinguished, wealthy foreigners visited the baby Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As you open those beautiful wrapped presents this Christmas remember it all started with a celebration of Jesus birth!

 I will continue to expound on our Christmas tradition of “gift giving”. The Bible states that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, who came in the form of a man, borne a baby unto a Virgin, named Mary. This illustrates the greatest gift of all, the reason for the “Gift of Jesus”, is God’s love for all mankind. The scriptures continue to state, “that whosoever believes in this “Gift” shall not perish, but have everlasting life”! What great love displayed by the Lord! This is the miracle of Christmas, the love of God.

As we gather with our families and friends during this Christmas, let’s us not forget the “true reason” for our celebrations. Our natural families are a representation of God’s desire that we will come to the full knowledge of His divine purpose to accept His “Gift” and be eternally united to His family!

I would like to encourage all of us to follow the example set by God “to love our neighbors as ourselves”. To pray for peace and love for ourselves, our families, friends and all people of the world. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous, Happy New Year!

Peace and Love to All!

Dot High-Steed is a Health and Life Coach, who has over 25 years of experience in health/wellness, business and education. 

Dot may be reached at:  

oneononewdot@yahoo.com

https://www.successunlimitedwdot.com  

https://www.facebook.com/success2050

The Power of the Tongue        

There is a popular Proverbs that says “life and death is in the power of the tongue”. Our words are so powerful they can either create life or destroy it.  As a child, growing up, I would hear people say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but talk don’t bother me”. How far this is from the truth! The reality is that bones can heal and mend with medical attention and time. Hurtful and destructive words spoken to people can permanently damage their soul. The tongue is a small member of the body, but is a very powerful force used to give life or to destroy it. 

Some may say, “Dot, but these are just words, I don’t really mean to destroy anyone!”  Allow me to enlighten you. Words are a creative force. The Bible states that God spoke the Universe into existence. “And God said let there be light and there was light”.  We as humankind have in our DNA the same creative force, to speak words of encouragement, which bring light and life or to speak negative, hurtful words which creates gloom, doom and destructions.

In my coaching and teaching professions, I have worked with many people both young and old, who have been victimized and wounded by hurtful and negative words spoken by others. The most tragic, is to hear parents, teachers and caretakers, speak to and about children in a demeaning manner. They say things like: “you are a bad boy”, “you are so dumb, you can never do anything right!”, “why can’t you be like….?”, “you are not as smart as your sister”, “you are too fat”, “You are too skinny”, “You will never amount to anything!”, “you are just like your no-good Daddy”! Even if these negative words are not directly spoken to a person, they are set in motion to have a lasting negative effect on a person’s earthly existence. We must speak life!

Of course, the destructive power of the tongue is just not relegated to the children; marriages are wrecked, businesses and professional organizations are ruined, and Nations are toppled. And the list goes on and on. The tongue has also been likened to a “burning fire”. A biblical reference quotes, “And the tongue is a fire! It can be compared to the sum total of wickednessand is the most dangerous part of our human body. It corrupts the entire body and is a hellish flame! It releases a fire that can burn throughout the course of human existence”. What a poignant but true description of the tongue’s ability to destroy human lives. As a small spark of fire left unquenched can destroy a great forest, the small tongue, uncontrolled can destroy many lives. 

The tongue must be directed to steer clear of harm. Just as the Captain can steer a large vessel to avoid danger in the open seas and ocean, we must make every effort to discipline our spoken words. My mother would say, “If you can’t say anything good about someone, say nothing!”. In others words, if you cannot say anything good and encouraging, shut your mouth! Good advice Mom, for all of us.

Stayed tuned next week!  The Power of Your Words

To Your Health and Happiness!