Finding The Fountain of Youth

“Behold, I make all things new”  -  Revelations 21:6

 

The devil made her do it.  Eve ate the apple from the “tree of knowledge” and the apple has been a part of our human destiny ever since!  All throughout history it has been used as food and medicine.  Hippocrates treated patients with the vinegar as far back as 400 BC.  Could this fermented descendant of Eve’s fateful bite indeed be the perfect food?

 

Throughout biblical times vinegar was used to treat wounds and infections and it has been cited in a multitude of medical texts.  What is the magic ingredient that gives this sour “medicine” it’s mighty power?  Potassium!  It is the star mineral around which all the other minerals revolve.  It is what attracts “living water” to our cells.

 

The main function of potassium is to promote cell, tissue and organism growth.  It is necessary to replace dead cells and tissue.  I say it is the stuff of RESURRECTION!

 

I have been reading up on this miracle tonic because of the many marvelous things it can do for our bodies to maximize our greatest potential to heal and have vibrant health.  Apple cider vinegar is an important ingredient of my comeback plan because it is known to do the following according to Patricia Bragg’s book “”Apple Cider Vinegar”:

 

-       cleans out clogged arteries

-       relieves chronic fatigue

-       flushes out fat

-       rids body of toxic wastes

-       relieves headaches

-       combats corns and callouses

-       zaps sore throats and laryngitis

-       balances ph of skin

-       restores the acid to alkaline balance to body

-       relieves sunburn pain

-       rejuvenates skin

-       heals minor cuts and abrasions

-       treats yeast and fungus infections

-       stops pain and itching from insect bites

-       helps scalp and hair conditions

-       soothes muscle soreness and aching joints

-       strengthens heart

-       improves digestion

-       fights kidney and bladder problems

-       combats gallstones

-       shrinks prostrate

-       helps female troubles

-       fights arthritis

-       helps regularity

-       dissolves acid crystals in stiff joints

-       banishes stiffness from body

-       normalizes blood pressure

-       relieves muscle cramps

-       keeps you healthy, youthful and vigorous

-       fights bacteria and viruses

-       strengthens and clears eyes

 

Is there something apple cider vinegar could do for you?  I am ready to try to knock out a few things from the above list!  For daily maintenance it is recommended to drink an “apple cider vinegar cocktail” by combining a few spoonfuls of the vinegar with some raw honey in a glass of water.  Once a day keeps the doctor away!  If you are really serious about results it is recommended to drink a glass on rising, before lunch, and before dinner.

 

I am incorporating this elixir of life into my daily habits because I suspect I may be deficient as many people are.  Body signs of potassium deficiency are:

 

-       Bone and muscle aches

-       Body feels heavy and tired – its an effort to move

-       Shooting pains or dizziness when straightening up after leaning over

-       Morning dull headaches upon rising or when stressed

-       Dull faded hair that lacks sheen or luster

-       Itchy scalp or premature thinning, balding hair

-       Itchy eyes that feel sore or uncomfortable and appear bloodshot or watery

-       Eyes that tire easily and will not focus when they should

-       Tiring physically and mentally with the slightest effort

-       Loss of mental alertness

-       Difficult decision making

-       Memory failure

-       Easily irritable and impatient

-       Nervous, depressed, in a mental fog

-       Mental exhaustion chilly hands and feet

 

Bottoms up and cheers to you if you decide to join me in a quest for a stronger, longer and healthier life!  I’ll see you at the starting line of your own marathon, to the life of your dreams.  I encourage each of you to dream big, think big, but enjoy the small miracles of everyday life.  Remember, nothing is impossible for God.

 

Have a heavenly day!

 

Rene

 P.S.  I invite you to tune in to WAYRADIO this Saturday morning at 9:30am located on 550AM station for my interview on the Journeys With Christ show hosted by Carldon Layhee.  Find out how to keep hope in hopeless situations!  God bless!

 

The Making of A Champion

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind”  -  2 Timothy 1:7

 

This is scary stuff folks.  Did I say I was going to run a marathon?  What was I thinking?  This is me.  Diva Rene Williams.  Never in a million years could I have ever predicted I would see myself competing in a marathon.  Only the strong and tough dare to compete in such a monumental challenge!!  Who do I think I am?

 

So where do I begin?  How do you make a miracle?  What is a DIVA to do?  First let me explain what DIVA stands for:

 

Do

     It

        Victorious

            Always!

 

If I plan on being a champion and making it to the STARTING line – I need to start thinking like a champion.  The Lord tells me I can overcome fear because I have been given all power to overcome any obstacle.  As Vince Lombardi says in his famous speech:

 

“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”

 

Your goals determine your habits.  If I am going to make it to the STARTING line I have to change my daily habits.  This past week I have been scouring my personal library with all my books on eating properly, exercise, motivation, goal setting, and winning.  I realize to achieve this mighty quest  I have to do the things I did to accomplish other monumental goals in life.  I have to visualize what it is I want to be and start “faking it until I make it.”  I have to start acting as if I have already achieved it in mind, body and spirit.

 

So here I go.  I have made a daily checklist of the things I am striving to incorporate into my life each day that will empower me to maximize my greatest potential.  I am taking baby steps daily to add each one in gradually until I have transformed my habits completely.  I think I read that anything you do for 21 days straight becomes ingrained in your mind as a habit.  Here’s the list.  I will explain each item on the list and why it is important as I go along in future columns.

 

Daily Champion Checklist

 

1.     Increase water intake

2.     Start walking daily

3.     Body brushing

4.     Stretching Exercise

5.     Face exercise

6.     “Eat To Live” eating plan

7.     Sunshine moments

8.     Mini trampoline jumping

9.     Drink apple cider vinegar cocktails

10.  Take  digestive enzymes

11.  Drink a green drink

12.  Say positive affirmations

13.  Prayer time

14.  Do sit ups for core strength

15.  Take multi-vitamins

16.  Moisturize body

17.  Bible study

18.  Rest

19.  Meditation

20.  Deep breathing

21.  Footcare

 

The beauty of this list is that I feel it is a checklist for transformational good health in general.  I will continue to run a never-ending marathon to prevent cancer from returning to my body.  I believe our health is a powerful weapon in thwarting any disease.  So whatever marathon in life you are running yourself – whatever problem, disease, stronghold or situation you are struggling to overcome – take control – take power over it – take a stand and become all you were born to be.

 

I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I believe we all can.  I invite you to join me in your own transformation.  Together we can all find heaven on earth!  Onward and upward!

 

Have a heavenly day!

 

Rene

 

 

Crossing The Fear Line - Day 1

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."  - 3 John 2

It’s been over 5 years since I heard the news over the phone.  Breast cancer – stage 3.  I sat in a parking lot alone in my car trembling as I called back the radiologist.  I was numb listening to the compassionate voice that later became the Mayor of Jacksonville’s wife.  “I’m so sorry.” she said.  I hung up the phone in disbelief.  The next call was to my Mother.

Since that moment I have been to the breast cancer battlefield and back.  In the summer of 2004 I went through 3 months of chemotherapy every 2 weeks.  Every hair on my body disappeared.  Even my eyelashes.

I rested a month before they removed my right breast and many lymph nodes with a radical modified masectomy operation.  I went for physical therapy for a month to reduce my swelling and restore range of motion in my right arm. 

I started 2 more months of oral chemotherapy that blistered the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet and caused unstoppable diarrhea .

They stopped the chemotherapy, and I was admitted to the hospitable for dehydration, and almost died that Christmas 2004.  I was saved by a miracle.  It was the best Christmas of my life.  I discovered home is where the heart is.  They sent me home the day of the “great sunami” that we all remember.  I recuperated for another month with weekly blood tests.

Then it was another 6 weeks of radiation.  My scarred right chest turned black as it burned through any last wisps of cancer hiding in the shadows.  I still continue to take Arimidex for another 10 years to prevent cancer's return.

Last year my husband Johnny was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in May 2008.  He died this year February 21, 2009.  I do not understand why I survived and he didn’t.  It doesn’t seem fair.   He was my soul mate.  But I take comfort knowing where he is at now, and I know who he is having supper with tonight.  He is in a much happier place with a lot of good company!

So here I am Lord.  I’m in need of resurrection.  Out of the misty fog comes a light to my soul.  You send me my answer through my most precious angel – my daughter Scarlett.  She calls to tell me she has decided to do something magnificent.  She wants to help find a cure for cancer by running in,  and raising funds for,  the 2010 National Marathon To Fight Breast Cancer here in Jacksonville, Florida, hosted by Donna Deegan to benefit Mayo Clinic - 26.2 with Donna.  The race takes place on the anniversary of Johnny’s death.  I beam with pride at her courage.  And then I think to myself – why not me?

Then I freeze in fear.  What am I thinking?  I’m out of shape.  My emotions are still swirling in grief.  I feel helpless searching for my purpose in life.  I certainly am in NO condition to take on such a huge challenge.  I feel so alone.  Then I stumble upon an article about a book by John Geiger called “The Third Man Factor.”  It reminds me through several incredible true stories – that we are NEVER alone.

The Wasteland – T.S. Eliot

Who is the third who walks always beside you?

When I count, there are only you and I together

But when I look ahead up the white road

There is always another one walking beside you

Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded

I do not know whether a man or a woman

But who is that on the other side of you?

I remember years ago how brave I was during my journey through breast cancer.  I know how brave I was during my husband’s battle with lung cancer.  Where is my courage now?  Where is “the one who walked always beside me” during those moments?  I read T.S. Eliot’s poem and I realize – oh yes.  He is still here.  My Lord has never left me.  It is I who have been wandering in the valley.  It is time to walk back towards the light.

I decide that if I truly believed before that nothing was impossible, and trusted God to walk with me through it all, then running an impossible marathon is no exception.  Perhaps these are the first steps to the new chapter He has waiting for me in life.  When we ask God to direct our paths we must be willing to take the first step.

So here I go – crossing the line of fear.  I am committing myself to the impossible dream.  For me it is not reaching the finish line.  It is reaching the starting line.  It is showing up the day of the race and proving God right.

I invite you to follow along with me as I “dash after Donna” to the race.  Donna Deagan is an incredible woman who has inspired so many through her example of determination to make a difference in the world.  It takes great courage to live a life in front of the public’s eyes as a newscaster, and let us have a peek into her private world and her soul.  It makes courage contagious.  Because Donna lives, the world is a better place.  She teaches us to live for more than ourselves.  As a role model – she shows us the glorious heights that are possible for each of us when we live our life on purpose.

So here I go.  I am throwing my hat in the ring.  I am going to run the marathon - or technically the "half marathon."  I begin "training" tomorrow.  I hope you'll join me each day to track my progress and hold me accountable.  Perhaps you might want contribute to the cause.  Maybe you will just find something in my journey that will spark your own resurrection.

I will be sharing what I learn each day as I read and research information on healthy eating, good exercise and how I am incorporating it all into my personal training program.  I will also be sharing my emotional and spiritual journey I am experiencing as I make the transformation back to my "personal best."  This is a journey God and I are taking together.  I want to pave the way for every woman to make a comeback with the ultimate trainer - God himself.

I hope you'll join me!  I dedicate this quest to my Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, through whom all things are possible.

Rene