Will Power

I've discovered that I can access my blog from work! Most sites (facebook and the like) are blocked, so I was a little excited to find I can still share my thoughts with the world ;). I have a large chunk of plan time between my morning and afternoon classes, and then again when the afternoon kiddos leave, I don't use up all that time to plan so I'm often left trying to pass the time until I can go home! So, one of the biggest changes I'm making in my life regards my nutrition and exercise. I come from a very active family, but the past few years I've watched myself do less and less to stay fit. Now here I am, weighing much more than I should, and I want to make changes. There is no miracle diet out there for me, or anyone for that matter, I know it means making the right choices. I've actually been doing quite well, and I'm planning a trip to the gym after work to get back on track there. I'd been very consistent in my workouts before the holidays...Anywho, that's not my point. I heard (or read I don't remember) once that each person only has so much will power "assigned" to them. That's why some people may be really good at holding their tongue or controlling their temper, but don't do so well when it comes to spending money or eating right. The idea was that you could put all of your allotment of will power into controlling yourself well in one area, or maybe spread out that allotment and just do ok in many areas. For a very long time I thought that maybe this was true. That I'm putting all my effort into controlling myself in other areas, and that is why I struggle with eating right and exercising like I should. I've decided this is a cop out. Part of the problem I see with the world today is that everyone is looking for someone or something else to blame for what's wrong in their lives rather than accepting any personal responsibility. We're kinda trained to be that way too..with different therapists, and "wise" persons telling you it's not your fault, you were just raised the wrong way, or your teachers didn't give you an opportunity or whatever. Maybe some of those things are in fact true, and have had some effect on you, but you control yourself. I don't think we can sit back and let our circumstances just happen and then point the blame at anyone and everyone else. It's our own fault for sitting there and letting it happen. As the saying goes, "Every time you point the finger there are three more pointing back at you." I think you can build up will power, and it starts with accepting that some of what's wrong is your own fault from decisions you've made or failed to make. I realize that in some instances things are beyond your control, but don't let life just happen to you and then get mad at everyone else. And coming from the perspective of someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus, I have access to the One who has all the will power in the world and will lovingly share with me if I only ask.