Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

The alarm goes off. Quickly, you slam the snooze just praying for five more minutes. And, you get them but feel even worse after the alarm rings again. You get up, already feeling the dread seeping in. It’s not waking up that’s the problem, it’s facing whatever it is that makes you feel “just not right.”

So, what is it? Your relationships? The pain in your body? The boss that dries up your heart the moment you walk in the door? Is it the daycare that you just don’t feel right about or those five pounds you were going to lose? Maybe, it’s your finances? Whatever it is, you just wish the feeling would go away. You try everything to make it disappear. You explain away your fears, making excuses for things that just “aren’t right.” Or, you just ignore them.

And there lies the challenge! None of us can ignore what’s going on around us and to us. Everything that comes into your life has come for a purpose. Even the feelings that you just can’t shake, no matter what you do to be rid of them. You have been given a gift and these gifts can change the course of your life. It all depends on what you do with them.

It’s time for each of us to pay attention to our lives.  No more rationalizing, making excuses, or ignoring the problem. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Chris Bennett

Addictions may have good intentions.  Lifting weights is a good habit, but it may mask a release of stress, which could lead to injury if the body is pushed too hard.  Running is a great addiction, but any runner or athlete for that matter will tell you that pavement and knees ultimately do not mix without moderation and tender loving care of your body.

What is your addiction?  What is the one habit you can or cannot be without?  Life is a consistent rotation of addictions, good and bad. The idea though, is to admit when one addiction is harmful no matter what the associated pleasures may be, and embrace a balanced state of mind and body.  After all, “good” addictions like running can help us have at least a little serenity each day.

Find a positive habit that allows calm for just a few minutes, or even a few seconds. People struggle with this concept, as simple as it may be. Addictions themselves can bring into true light what it means to make every day count. Fixations of addiction are mere masks of determination. The direction of the determination is left to the addict.

Good addictions are not limited to exercise.  Read More »