Double Portion Inspiration

 I recently had a conversation.  The person speaking told me, " Things just never work out for me ."  I wanted to agree and give into the pity party this person was throwing for themselves. I'm sure there are many people that you know that have the same sentiment.  You may even feel this way. You have given up on life and become negative.  You feel helpless. Each time you don't get a fair shake in life you get down on yourself. The events of your past caused you to develop a hard shell in your heart so you won't ever get hurt again. Here are a few ways to pick your head up: 1.   Change your perspective The person who said these words didn't take time to look at the blessings that were around. We must focus on what we've received.  Don't worry about what others have.  We spend so much time looking at how the "other" person might be getting ahead.  Stop and count the blessings you possess-health, car, job, family, house, et...

Taking on hurdles! The weekend is hours away and it's already week three of our running series.  Everything you need to start in a training program was discussed in the previous weeks.  If you missed it click here .  By this time you probably have your shoes and training attire.  Maybe you've even signed up for your first 5K.  What happens when you are well into your training program and an injury occurs?  A broken toe, a sprained ankle, or a pulled hamstring.  They all represent a number of injuries that can attempt to derail you from the ultimate goal of finishing the race.  That's the hurdle I had to face just a few months ago. I was two months into my training program when I found myself face down on the floor in intense pain and unable to move.  Just seconds before I slipped on the floor trying to run my son into the kitchen before his upset stomach spilled all over the carpet.  It took months to build my endura...

Happy Wednesday!  We are just a few days away from week three of Finish Line Friday's .  Hopefully you are finding the training tips helpful on your journey to become a runner/jogger. Roslyn and I want to pray for you this week.  We understand that there are challenges in life that only prayer can help.  Let us pray on your behalf.  Prayer is an opportunity to speak the blessings of God over your situation and listen for His gentle voice to give guidance. Please feel free to leave your prayer request in the comment section below, on Facebook , Twitter (@doubleportionin), or send us an email at doubleportioninspiration@yahoo.com . Stay inspired!

Today I am exactly one month away from running my first half marathon and I am beyond excited.  It's week two of Finish Line Friday's and I'm dedicating an entire blog post to training attire.  Hopefully you had a chance to watch the video from last week.  (Click here to watch the video and read last week's post) Running is one of the most economical exercises to take part in.  You don't have to buy costly equipment to participate which is a great advantage.  ~Your success is contingent upon good shoes and the right clothing.~ I highly suggest that you visit your local running store .  Sure there are plenty of sporting goods stores around and even athletic wear sold in Walmart or Target, but I don't feel anyone understands running better than the associates in your local store.  Most of them are runners themselves and know what's needed to make the time on your feet enjoyable. The purchase of a good shoe before starting on ...

I have always stood out in crowds because I am tall.  You would always find me in the back during class pictures because of my height. Being blessed with a twin sister has also caused me to stand out and easily be remembered. It was extremely difficult, especially during my middle school years, to tower over most of the girls in the school.  I was often called, "amazon or giraffe" (kids can be so cruel).  But, the lesson I learned at an early age was priceless.   I was not going to be "one of the crowd" .  I wasn't going to be able to blend in. Our world is filled with negativity, and darkness.  We find an entire nation trying to blend in purchasing the latest Tory Burch shoes or the same lip gloss as Kim Kardashian.  We analyze what others are wearing and try to create the same look within our homes.  We want to speak like Oprah or have a billion dollar idea like Steve Jobs. We were never meant to be like someone else.  We must stay t...

Welcome to  Finish Line Friday's .   Hopefully you had a chance to watch  the intro video that gives a glimpse into the journey we will take over the next few weeks.  I'm often asked why I decided to run 13.1 miles.  Honestly, I'm not sure.  My girlfriend asked, and after a few days of thought, I said "why not."  I've been training about five months and never imagined that my preparation for the race would provide so many life lessons. Most don't realize that when I committed to run, I couldn't even jog a 1/2 mile without heavy breathing, knee and back pain.  Despite that fact, my journey  started with a decision .  Maybe you're sitting there without the ability to even run/jog one minute.  Don't let that intimidate you.  If you have the determination to commit to your decision, you can do it!  Perhaps your training will begin with alternating between a one minute run ...

I absolutely hate waiting.  I know those are strong words but I find myself waiting in the doctor's office, at the grocery store, or in traffic.  Even at the baseball field I'm waiting an hour for the game to start.  I try to wait joyfully, but honestly that is not always my demeanor when I am waiting.  I know I am not alone.  I am surrounded by people everyday who also hate waiting. What about when God asks you to wait? Many times we recognize that there is a task for us to complete. A "call" is on our life or we are waiting for a dream to be fulfilled.  But what we don't have are the details to move forward.  We are forced to wait to figure out the next move.   So what should you do ?  In the years that I have spent waiting I have found a few ways to wait joyfully. Remove distractions  Social media is a huge advantage in our society.  We can network and connect with people. But please realize, social media can also zap ...

Happy Friday! Starting next week we will begin a new blogging series called Finish Line Fridays .  Many of you have asked that I share my running tips and the blog seems like the perfect place to reveal my great training tips and resources.  As the date of my half marathon draws closer, we will cross the finish line together.  Stay tuned and stay inspired! (Posted by Renee)

Fall is in the air .  I am currently in Alabama where the temperature is a "refreshing" 46 degrees.  I love this time of the year.  The air becomes drier and the temperatures will soon drop.  As you enter a new season , it's always time to change it up.  Put away the summer clothes and pull out the cardigans, long pants and boots. ~ Most people enter a new season the same way they did the previous season.~ A week ago I went to get my routine hair wash when my hairdresser asked me to try something different.  I agreed. She's been my stylist for 14 years so I knew I could trust her.  My mouth dropped open when I started to see my hair falling on the floor.  She was giving me an updated haircut. I am always reluctant to try something new. All I can say is that I am SO happy for my new haircut.  It's fresh, edgy and I feel thankful for " falling into something new ". So what will you do ...