#beginwiththeendinmind

[beautifulreflections]

Blog Post 4: Looking back to move forward.

Blog Post 4: Looking back to move forward.

This week I’m remembering the why. I truly believe your willpower will only be as strong as your why. So, I’m taking you back to my why, which takes us back almost six years to the birth of my second son. It was a beautiful day, when He was born with His big brown eyes and brown hair making me the proud mom of two healthy boys. Except I still remember the nurse coming in every hour and pricking my youngest son’s feet. It was horrible. I was tired, He was tired, my husband was tired, and all I wanted to do was sleep, but the nurse had to check His blood sugar.

Why? Well because I had gestational diabetes all during the pregnancy leading up to the birth of my second son. My Dad had triple bypass surgery about three years ago, His mom had type 2 diabetes and later developed Alzheimer’s, and my aunt has type two diabetes as well. The gene pool clearly wasn’t flowing in my favor and the sickness seemed to trickle right down to me. The symptoms were low mood and a lack of energy, but I was mom. So, I chalked it up to job description. I mean, all moms are exhausted right? Apparently, these were warning signs of what was to come, I just didn’t know that at the time.

I ate sugar free chocolate pudding every day after dinner to curb my sweet tooth in a healthy way and took walks when my sugar was especially elevated. After I had my son, and after the heartache of hearing Him cry when the nurse checked His blood sugar, I moved on with life, sweets, and all. But a couple years ago I was diagnosed with chronic gastritis and acid reflux. So, this is when I became a vegan. I let go of the meats and cheeses, filled up the fridge with vegetables, and watched many documentaries about how diet is connected to overall health. My favorite documentary is still “What the Health” by Kip Anderson. In this documentary, Kip uncovers the secret to reversing chronic diseases.

After years of living a vegan lifestyle and seeing the health benefits including clear skin, good digestion, and overall increase in energy, I began to get lax in my efforts and became a vegetarian, and now I eat meat again. The point is that those habits are only as effective as my ability to maintain these healthy eating choices consistently and over a long period of time. Now I am focusing on eating healthy foods overall. I’m pulling back out those old but loved vegan recipes including crispy tofu with quinoa and steak seasoned zucchini. I even put some of the candy from my Christmas bag into the communal candy pile for someone else to devour. This may sound small to you, but it’s a big deal for me.

I said no to Super Bowl brownies and key lime cake last night, as well as all the diet sodas that I used to love. My favorite soda used to be cherry coke zero. The point is that Americans, myself included, consume too much sugar. I know I did, and I now must come up with a game plan to leave the sugar where it needs to stay, on the shelf for special occasions. According to the American Heart Association Americans on average consume 20 teaspoons of sugar per day while the recommended daily amount of sugar is 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Beverages make up most of our sugar consumption at a whopping 47% which include soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and tea. The second leading cause of excess sugar comes from snacks and sweets at 31%.

The point is, sugar consumption has gotten way out of control, especially in the United States, and we need to be aware of the risks associated with excess sugar which include chronic inflammation, tooth decay, acne, advanced skin aging, weight gain and obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, brain loss, cancer, and premature death. Sugar though sweet can be deadly. It’s recommended by John Hopkins Medicine that we avoid sodas and other sugar sweetened beverages, reach for fruits instead of candy, cookies, or other sweet treats, read ingredient labels, and watch for sugar aliases. As it turns out, smoothies with no added sugar still taste sweet because that’s how they are made naturally. If we stop and think before we run to the sweets isle, in the future we will be happy with the choices we make.

            “Always begin with the end in mind.” - Ellen Muth

References:

“How much sugar is too much?” American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much

Ndumele, Chiadi. “Obesity, Sugar, and Heart Health.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/obesity-sugar-and-heart-health

[operationsinsider]

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is a book written by Stephen Covey. Stephen Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker, who was widely recognized for his work in the field of personal and organizational effectiveness. The book provides a comprehensive guide to developing personal effectiveness and leadership skills. The author argues that by developing these skills, individuals can become more successful in their personal and professional lives. The book is divided into three parts: the first part provides an overview of the 7 habits, the second part examines how to develop the 7 habits, and the third part looks at how to apply the 7 habits in different areas of life. Go to operationsinsider.com to read the full summary including the key takeaways of this book. Link for summaries or purchase in BIO Like❤️/Share✅/comment👇/follow👉@operationsinsider #opex #operationsinsider #wasteattack #waste #StephenCovey #personalEffectiveness #organizationalEffectiveness #leadership #selfImprovement #productivity #success #habits #principles #character #values #proactive #BeginWithTheEndInMind #FirstThingsFirst #ThinkWinWin #SeekFirstToUnderstand #SharpenTheSaw #business #professionalDevelopment #Bestseller #author #keynoteSpeaker #businessman #coaching #emotionalIntelligence #timemanagement (hier: Air India Airlines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CovDgcHo8Rq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[marcaccettaseminars]

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND. -Stephen Covey #beginwiththeendinmind #goals #businessquotes #lifequotes #quotes #stephencovey https://www.instagram.com/p/BwmktI0gzp1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5zsaunl3dns0

[thepropertyhuntress]

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Sipping and Chilling 🍸#realestatelife #goodlife #mindset #findyourpassion #breakthrough #findyourbreakthrough #youhavetostartsomewhere #beginwiththeendinmind #begin #you #youchoose #youdecide #create #createyourownpath #createyourreality #createthelifeyouwant #createthelifeyouwanttolive #dream #dreamsdocometrue #beginner #beginning #happyhumpday🐫 #thepropertyhuntress https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHz7imFlcG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6dft5bo2yth5

[maxyeo]

"One Day Your Life Will Flash Before Your Eyes. Make Sure It Is Worth Watching." - Gerard Way It is usually what we did (Happiest or Saddest Moment) or did not (Regrets). Even before our dying moments, we tend to reminisce our most intense moments (Happy ones or Sad ones) in life from time to time... The question would be "Why live in the past instead of making the effort to create happier moments?" Or Imagine we are there, at our own eulogy, what would people say about us? And realize that what they had to say is because of what we did. So in a sense, we are responsible for our eulogy - Not just What we did, but how the actions were interpreted. While, I am one who wouldn't mind getting negative feedbacks, corrected, or "sorted out", as long as it makes sense to me. But, if are someone who mind what people had to say about you... 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀... https://productivemax.com/success-psychology/death-motivation/ #LifeFlashedBeforeMyEyes #BeginWithTheEndInMind #EndGame #EndGoal #LifeGoals #LiveALifeWorthLiving #DyingMoments #Reminiscing #ReminiscingMemories #Reminisce #IntenseMoment #IntenseMoments #CreateAHappierYou #HappierMoments #OurEulogy #NoRegrets #StartWithTheEndInMind #StartWithWhy #WhenDeathComes #YOLO #YODO #YouOnlyLiveOnce #YouOnlyDieOnce https://www.instagram.com/maxyeo7/p/CXU2ZOxJDP8/?utm_medium=tumblr

[nakedhumanorg]

◆ ● EXAMS ● ◆ FOR ARTICLES VISIT http://nakedhuman.org . . . #inspirationquotes#fortheexam#bytheexam#totheexam#sanity#dontrushup#onestepatatime#ridewithyourmind#beginwiththeendinmind https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GBN8Opn2J/?igshid=1uhqht0jny0fg

[jpwalters]

🗝"Every goal you achieve begins with a plan."🎯 ”Design Your Life for Success.” Lifestyle and Interior Design by Jim Walters, JP Walters Design . . . . . #spaceplan #furnitureplan #beginwiththeendinmind #jpwaltersdesign #homeretreatcollection #designerquotes #liveyourdream #thegoodlife #designyourlife #dreamhomes #artofliving #thegoodlife #interiordesign #dreamlife #customdesign #designinspiration #palmspringsdesigner #sandiegodesigner #custominteriordesign #interiordecorating (at Palm Desert, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQGJ2YHXy1/?igshid=13bzcg0k1oodp

[nezlifestudios]

Begin with the end in mind. - Stephen R. Covey . . . One of my favorite quotes. Also how I approach many things in life. I listened to his book years ago and that’s one thing that really stuck with me. I’ve used it successfully in starting my business, doing workshops, selling art, you name it! . Do you have a quote you live by? . . . . 🎨 @decoart 📸 @emilybensonconsulting . #instaartist #virginiabeachartist #fluidartist #acrylicpouring #acrylicpainting #nezlifestudios #nezlife #acrylicpourjewelry #fluidartjewelry #ruby #magenta #jewelry #yellow #plant #itsthelittlethings #beginwiththeendinmind #757art #757artist #handmadejewelry #handmade (at Virginia Beach, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/nezlifestudios/p/BvSr_VmDUre/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=29p29tz1dga6

[ramiontherocks-blog]

The second habit in Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is to begin with the end in mind. When it’s all over, what will you want your story to be? What do you want to be remembered for? What do you want to give back? What difference do you hope to bring to the world? If you define this for yourself, many of your decisions going forward become clearer. Whenever I find myself struggling I come back to this question. The question of my impact; of my gift to the world and how I can serve. I’ve had my fair share of distractions in life but lately I’ve been more focused than ever because I’ve reconciled with my truth. I see my horizon and I know what I want. I want to inspire. I want my life to be an example of being true to myself. I want my legacy to be of someone who worked hard and never gave up on achieving the life of his dreams. I want to travel and document and share and create art. I want to be good and have fun. I want a love that sets my soul on fire. I want to devote myself to someone and build together. I want to start a family; to raise children that are curious and ask questions. Children who are strong, maybe rebellious, and have the courage to seek out everything that life has to offer. I want to make connections and offer kindness. I want to meet the darkness with the light. I want to fight for what is right. I want to grow old with you, whoever you are, and be confident that our little ones are prepared to take on the world as we did. That I did my best. That we did our best. That through us, and through them, and through every interaction we’ve ever had and every action we’ve ever taken, we have always done our best to leave things better than we found them. When I’m dead, I hope people remember my joy, my passion, and my undying love and lust for what it was to be alive. And as insignificant as one’s life might be, I hope that those feelings I leave behind survive me and inspire others to not settle and instead live their best possible life, both for themselves and for others. Shot on iPhoneX with Moment Wide Lens @olhuveli_maldives • • • #beginwiththeendinmind #trustyourjourney #longtermthinking #fulfillment (at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives) https://www.instagram.com/p/BphbsXYnVVB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f0gr6bjfo8zg

[valeriemacleod]

"One of the mistakes that writers make is spending a lot of time thinking how to start their stories and not a lot of time thinking about how to end them. Knowing my ending makes the beginning super easy. It's totally clear what I have to do and totally clear what I shouldn't do." - Malcolm Gladwell on writing, and it works for planning

[0xcusesfitness]

See yourself the way you want to be. Begin with the end in mind. Do so with feeling, deep emotions and unbridled PASSION! #0excusesfitness #lifequotestoliveby #beginwiththeendinmind #visualization #creativevisualization #manifestation #manifesting #goals

[marcaccettaseminars]

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND! -Stephen Covey #stephencovey #quotes #goals #beginwiththeendinmind https://www.instagram.com/p/B4gQmnRgFRk/?igshid=60rwbremfca7

[thepropertyhuntress]

Who’s Next! 🤍ѕнσρριиg σи α Tuesday💕#confessionsofarealtor #realestatelife #goodlife #mindset #findyourpassion #breakthrough #findyourbreakthrough #youhavetostartsomewhere #beginwiththeendinmind #begin #you #youchoose #youdecide #create #createyourownpath #createyourreality #createthelifeyouwant #createthelifeyouwanttolive #dream #dreamsdocometrue #beginner #beginning #thepropertyhuntress https://www.instagram.com/p/CVN2pyMrGnB/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maxyeo]

Begin With The End In Mind & Work Towards it Every Day It may be too Lofty or Impossible at First (Begining is the Hardest), BUT Always have the Belief that We will Grow Our Capability and Capacity to reach Our Goals Eventually, especially when Someone Else has Succeeded before, Proving that it Can be Done. Others Did it, So Can We. Even if Nobody Did it before, We Can Always be the First. As the World Always Remembers the First, being Second may Not Even get Half the Recognition... Sidetrack to prove a point: Who is the Second Person to walk on the Moon after Neil Armstrong? Who did Michael Phelps Beat by 0.01s to Win his 7th Gold in Bejing Olympics? 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 So at the Start of Our Life, Find What do We Want to be Remembered for by the End of Our Life. From the Start of the Decade, What Do We Want by End of the Decade? Use this Process and Go Micro to Years, Months, Weeks, Days... What Do You Want to Accomplish at the End of Every Day, the Moment You Wake up to a Brand New Day? Make Ourselves Accountable to Our Goals by Declaring them to Someone Else Can Help Motivate Us to Take Actions too. #BeginWithTheEndInMind #EndGoal #EndGame #Dreams #LoftyPursuits #MissionPossible #Capability #Capacity #Goals #WeCanDoIt #CanDo #GetItDone #Believe #BelieveInYourself #BeTheFirst #Strive #StriveForGreatness #LifeGoal #LifeGoals #EndGoal #DecadeGoals #GoalOfTheDecade #YearlyGoals #MonthlyGoals #WeeklyGoals #DailyGoals #GoalSetting https://www.instagram.com/p/CXDLaD_J47v/?utm_medium=tumblr

[clarktheshark-blog1]

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A post shared by Clark Hogan Jr (@itsclarktheshark)

"Time And Tide Wait For No Man" #DontWait #BeProactive #JustDoIt #BeginWithTheEndInMind #CarryOn #ThinkWinWin #LifeStyle #SharkLife #PositiveVibes #Life #Motivation #Beach #Vibes #Summer #Sun #Fun #Sand #Waves #SaltLife #BeachLife #Sandy #Dunes (at Indiana Dunes State Park)

[nakedhumanorg]

● EXAMS ● #inspirationquotes#fortheexam#bytheexam#totheexam#sanity#dontrushup#onestepatatime#ridewithyourmind#beginwiththeendinmind https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GBN8Opn2J/?igshid=1l19mhfyodohx