Will Power vs. Self-Control

I thought this was an interesting article in the Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
This could be helpful for people who made New Year’s resolutions in
changing unhealthy habits.

Willpower vs. self-control
It’s often taken for truth that making a lifestyle change is simply a matter of willpower. However, counting on your willpower alone to make a change is often a setup for failure. A more successful strategy is to reduce the need for willpower by relying on planning and self-control skills to make healthy behavior choices more convenient. These examples show the difference between relying on willpower and relying on self-control.

Willpower

• I’ll make a cheesecake for others in the house, but I won’t eat it.

Self-control

• I won’t make a cheesecake, but I can have a slice when I dine out.

Willpower

• I’ll keep liquor for guests, but I won’t drink it myself.

Self-control

• For a while – and perhaps forever – I will not have alcohol in my house.

Willpower

• I’ll stop smoking cold turkey.

Self-control

• Before I stop smoking, I’ll talk to my doctor about ways to ease withdrawal.

Willpower

• We’ll go to the buffet, but I’ll just have salad.

Self-control

• We’ll go to a restaurant that offers small portions and low-fat or vegetarian items

Willpower

• Although I’m tired in the evening, I’m going to get out and walk for 30 minutes every day after dinner.

Self-control

• I’m going to try to walk 15 to 30 minutes in the morning or at lunch. I’ll ask a friend to join me for encouragement

Messiah 1979 & 2006: Then & Now

What a healing experience it was for me to hear The Messiah at Wooddale. I thank Mary, Solveig, the soloists and choir for all their hard work to make it happen. The last time I heard it was at Orchestra Hall in 1979. It was one of the lowest points in my life. I was separated, and realized the day of the concert that I would have to be divorced in order to survive. I took my wedding ring off that day, and could not pretend any more that things were okay. I sat through that Messiah, angry at God. I felt He had forsaken me. Why was I in this difficult situation? Why couldn’t I live happily ever after?

Fast-forward 27 years, sitting next to my soul mate, having just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Thinking about our two wonderful daughters who will be coming home Friday. Thinking back on listening to The Messiah in 1979, and thanking God for all I went through that year that has made me appreciate all the blessings in my life today. I could not have ever imagined what God had planned for my life. I thought I knew how things should go in 1979. He knew best all along.

How were you feeling while listening to The Messiah? Are you at a low point in your life? Are you angry at God? Do you think He’s let you down?

Read these words from The Messiah: Come unto Him, all ye that labor, come unto Him, ye that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Are you at a high point in your life? Are you celebrating God’s gift of His Son
this Advent season? God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow in His love for us. Let us accept His love with joy.

P.S. Thanks to Roy Tyrer for “guilting” me into attending The Messiah. Just think what I would have missed!