"Backpacks are Life!"

This week we had the privilege of sitting under some great teaching from yet another adjunct professor...Glenda Bigalky.  Glenda shared a most important lesson..."What's in your backpack, controlling what you can." Fourteen years ago, when Glenda taught me this lesson, things turned around positively in my life. I believe that it was just as powerful for many HWU students yesterday.

Learning to control what we can and let go of what we have no control of, is a life changing lesson, but an on-going practice. Depending on what season of life you're in, the concept of backpacks is harder or easier to practice but always powerful. When we spend our time and energy focusing on the things that we have control of and letting go of the things we can't change, we become the best we were intended to be, and have more to give of ourselves.

Glenda focused on limits yesterday, reminding us that limits are good.  In this life, limits are set to protect us and keep us safe. Just like with the external limits we see in our world...stop signs, fences, no trespassing signs, laws, etc...we have limits about how much we should eat too.  We understand the limits that have been set up for us in the world to protect and keep us safe, but somehow deny the limits we're given regarding calorie intake!  The limits we've been given as to calories in and calories out, have consequences when they are abused, just like the consequences of stepping over the limits/laws in all the other areas of our life. 

It's always good to hear from Glenda. She gave us a lot to think about and facilitated great conversation after classes too.  It's good to be able to review homework with the other HWU students and compare notes. I'm happy to see so many of you participate after class.

Our winners for the week picked a good week to win! They were sponsored by two of our greatest supporters...Glenda Bigalky, MA and Barry Brandenburg, Attorney at Law. Thank you for your generous donation!

Noon: Team "A.O.C." Albert and Tim won with a 1.84% of weight loss for the week.

6 PM: Team "Shrinkies" Wendy and Sheila won with 1.95% of weight loss for the week!

Congratulations to you all and to all of you who are having such consistent weight loss! We've got 4 weeks to go and lots to learn before we end this semester!

This weeks assignment is to do the homework for week #3 of the workbook. "What's in Your Backpack ~ Controlling What You can." Doing the homework this week will help you understand Backpacks even better now that we've heard Glenda explain it for us! 

As we move into the last weeks of this Team Challenge, remember that every day is a day to make new commitments, live the life you want and do today what your future self will thank you for.  One day at a time is all we have.  Looking back is only to learn, looking ahead is to keep us focused on what we really want in this life!   Here's to controlling what you can and looking ahead.

Always encouraging you,

Letha