Author: E.A.Fussell

Florida native, poet, writer, artist, adventurer, optimist, lover of chocolate.

Overcome fitness challenges

Have you ever felt the battle between your flesh and spirit when it comes to healthy choices and taking care of your body? Does it feel like you are in a struggle to eat healthy, exercise, end your addiction to sugar?

Are you stuck in the “whenever” or “tomorrow” trap? Whenever I have more time, whenever I have more money, whenever I feel better. Tomorrow I will eat healthier. Tomorrow I will go for a walk. Tomorrow I will stop drinking soda.

Our flesh tends to choose instant pleasure over delayed gratification. We truly want to eat healthy but can’t seem to resist the pleasure of eating a sweet treat. Our tempter, that old devil, encourages us whispering in our ear, “It’s okay, go ahead take a bite, you can start eating healthier tomorrow.”

Then, after we’ve eaten that sweet treat and put off our health until tomorrow that old devil switches gears and becomes our accuser showering us with judgement and guilt. Causing us to compare ourselves to others, pick ourselves to pieces, feel like we’re weak and not enough. He’s got us right where he wants us, in a tug-of-war with ourselves. Thinking we always have tomorrow. Putting our flesh first.

Mark 3:25 tells us when we are internally divided against ourselves we fail and the enemy wins. How do we break out of this trap of self-criticism and self-sabotage? How do we find the strength to resist temptation, overcome excuses, move ourselves toward a healthier body?

By actively putting God first in our life and including Him in our health and fitness plan. Matthew 6:33 promises God will take care of us when we put Him first. Galatians 5:16 tells us if we walk in the spirit we can overcome the flesh.

How do we put God first? Prayer, scripture, worship, meditation, there are numerous ways. It is a personal decision. Figure out what it means to you, and do it. Just remember it’s not a one-and-done thing. It’s an ongoing interaction. A personal relationship with God.

John 16:33 gives us the reminder that yes, we will face difficult times but we belong to the one who has overcome the world and Isaiah 41:10 reminds us God will strengthen and help us. If we let Him.

So….let Him.

E.A. Fussell
11.09.23

Lord thank You for loving us like You do. Thank You for the help and guidance that are always available to us through the Spirit. We ask for that help and guidance now. Thank You that You never stop listening to us even when we have stopped listening to You. Bless the person reading this, open their heart to receive You. Provide for them what they need most today. Comfort, strength, healing, finances. Pour out blessings upon them as only You can in accordance with Your Divine will, under grace, and in a perfect manner. Thank You Father that you have heard me. Amen

He will help, if you let Him

It’s that time of year when I feel compelled to double down on my health focus. Maybe it’s because the end of the year is only eight weekends from now. Maybe it’s because traveling requires extra commitment to a fitness routine. Maybe it’s just an attempt to stay focused and not overly indulge in holiday eating.

Spoken scripture, prayer and meditation can impact success. I will be sharing scripture, experiences, and thoughts along the way. Maybe it will help you too.

Psalm 18 is an example of how God hears our call for help and will come to help us because he delights in us. When we hold on to Him, He strengthens us to triumph over our enemies in whatever battle we face.

If you are struggling with something, call on God, reach out and take His hand. He will help you if you let Him.

Lord, thank you for the soul reading this. Touch them and bless them in a real and wonderful way. Please show them what You can do when they let You. Amen

E.A. Fussell
11.05.2023

Ignore impulse

Every day
When we wake up
We can choose
How we will face the day

Every minute
Throughout the day
We can choose
How to experience the day

Lord help me
To choose calm
When exploding
Is how I am wired to react

To think more
Strategically
When diving in
Is my first response

To pause
When the gauntlet
Is thrown down
And let it lay where if falls

E.A. Fussell
10.18.2023

You are 1 in 8+ billion

Ponder this:

There is an old saying, “You are one in a million.” There are over 8 billion people in the world today. No two are the same. Truth is: “You are 1 in 8+ billion!”

So, be you.

Let go of societies megaphone stirring up strife through illusions. Let go of religious rituals that would have you place your faith in a man’s word standing at the pulpit instead of in our true Creator. Let go of the Spirit of Offense that permeates all public venues. Walk in the Spirit of Love and forgiveness.

Be brave, be bold, be courageous, be meek, be gentle, be kind, be whatever you were created to be. Accept that you alone have the authority to choose your thoughts and live your life the way you understand the Creator created you to live it.

If you’ve lost your way, no worries. The door to who you really are waits patiently inside you. All you have to do is ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

You are unique and very special to our Creator. You are greatly loved. You were created because the world needs you at this particular time.

You are 1 in 8+ billion.
Thank you for being you. 💞

E.A. Fussell
09.29.2023

Share your brightness

To someone you are a bright spot just by being alive. An authentic brilliant color in a world full of dull illusions.

Remind yourself of the light within you. Treat yourself to some brightness. Soak up a little sun on a daily walk. Look for bright colors, make it like the kids game we played, “I spy something blue!”

Get some food coloring and bake a batch of colorful cupcakes. Baking isn’t your thing? No worries, buy some cupcakes at your local bakery, get a bottle of sprinkles, overload the frosting with color.

Share the sweetness. Invite someone to walk in the sun with you (the “I spy” game is more fun with two). Give a colorful cupcake to someone you run across during the day.

Practice kindness on purpose. Start with yourself. Fill your cup up and let it overflow to others.

E.A. Fussell
09.28.2023

Choose what’s valuable to you

A local friend called while I was weeding a flower bed tonight. In their opinion I was wasting my time. Frost is expected within the next week and the flowers will be dead soon.

Near these flowers is a sidewalk leading from the backdoor of my home to a detached garage. I travel this path, back-and-forth, several times a day passing this little flower bed each time. Their cheery colors bring me pleasure. So, caring for them will continue until the weather prevails.

We each have our perspective on life. What is valuable to one, seems like a waste of time to another. Both are right, neither is wrong. Value is in the eye of the beholder.

E.A. Fussell
09.27.2023

Rule your own Kingdom

My mind is a kingdom
That only I can rule

It tries
To triumph over me
With scattered thoughts
Confused emotions
At times
It does not seem
That I am
It’s Queen regnant
At all

My mind can only serve
And it must serve only me

I remind myself
This kingdom is a gift
From God
It was given to me
To serve whatever purpose
I perceive
I am in control of directing it
No matter how futile
That may sometimes seem

I thus direct my mind
Which I alone can rule

Change up your thoughts
Ignore illusions and confusion
Focus on desires
That lift the Spirit and
Raise vibrations higher
Let go of every fear
Remain curious
Expand your experiences
Be bold, be courageous

This kingdom is yours
Rule it fiercely

E.A. Fussell
09.25.2023

Untouched mountain tops

Hiking in the Beartooth Mountains has opened my eyes to the effort required to reach the top. Something I never really thought much about as a Florida Native.

There are some mountain tops my feet will never stand on, and that’s okay. I am very grateful for the heights my eyes have witnessed so far and look forward to seeing more.

E.A. Fussell
09.21.2023