Aletha aka Williemina

A purpose driven attitude

WILLIEMINA — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:59:15 +0000

Hi everyone,
I had a rough day yesterday. I was disappointed in my placing at the USA. The feeling of disappointment is still there, but I don’t feel bad about it anymore. I walked for 45 minutes and did 50 minutes of bicep & back yesterday. Then, I picked up my younguns and went home to enjoy the rest of the day with them. After setting them up with their Reader Rabbit activity exercise, I actually slowed down enough to take a bath. Before going to bed, I meditated and did my yoga and read a chapter of my Wayne Dyer book and that’s when it hit me. The very chapter that I read spoke about what I was going through.

The quote "this too shall pass" caught my eyes because that is what I always say. Dr. Dyer points out that our ego wants to live in a "state of self-importance, but your Holy Spirit knows that the only thing that’s truly important is being in alignment with Spirit" (Dyer, Wayne w., Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling, p36).

That is so true. Yes, it would have been great to have gotten the approval of the judges by placing good, but that is not my purpose for competing. My purpose is to enjoy the journey.

MENTAL BLOCK

WILLIEMINA — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:33:27 +0000

Hey everyone. I hope all is well. I’ve been doing well this year. I have my health, my family has their health, my husband and are both working and our kids are healthy. Training for my first show this year took a lot away from my family time. So,when I started training for the USA, I had to change my focus more towards family than towards my physical gratification. Even though I want to succeed so badly, I will not sacrifice the precious time I have with my family.

Being the military, I’ve had to be separated from my siblings and parents. So, I’ve learned that I need to spend as much time as I can with family until I’m called to duty.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still busting chops to meet my goals for the USA. But, I’m training as the river flows and you know what, it flows so smoothly. Please, keep my husband in your prayers as he prepared to leave in August for 1 year in Iraq. I wish you all well.

Cheers.

RED FRIDAY-ONE FOR MY FELLOW SOLDIERS IN HARMS WAY

WILLIEMINA — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:17:35 +0000

This story was sent to me and I felt a great need to let my shipmates and fellow soliders who are deployed overseas in harms way know that they are always in my heart and prayers. God bless. Aletha

Will you give this to my Daddy?

As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support ‘Red Fridays.’

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I’m not alone. I’m not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately s topped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said ‘hi.’

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy
for her.

The young soldier, who didn’t look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter’s name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney mi ssed h er father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, ‘I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.’ He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying ‘your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.’

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it’s good to be an American.

RED FRIDAYS —– Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the silent majority’. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing.. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Americans, like you, me and all our fr i ends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United States on every Friday a sea of red muc h like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once ’silent’ majority is on their side more than ever; certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked ‘W hat can we do to make things better for you?’ is…We need your support and your prayers.

Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

STRESSED

WILLIEMINA — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:55:32 +0000

I cannot tell you just how much is on my plate. I must make an affirmation that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I feel like I just want to just lay down and just hide under my blanket, but I just can’t. I have two boys who needs me. I have a husband who is mourning the sudden death of mother. And that is just the tip of the iceburg. I just feel so exhausted and overwhelmed.

…and I have a show in two weeks. That is the most positive thing in my life right now. I just hope that I don’t disappoint my trainer and workout partner. We started this together and hope to perform well.

So, in affirmation….. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’ sake. Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For though art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.”     Psalm 23

It is done. I affirm that the day is the Lord and He wants me to shine His light. I hope that this reaches you with the warmest thoughts.

Cheers

THE JOYS OF MY LIFE DID IT AGAIN

WILLIEMINA — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:59:12 +0000

I have to tell you all this. Yesterday, I was driving the boys come from daycare.   I normally tell them that I missed them all day. The 4 year old was mad at me for picking him up and putting him in his car seat faster than he’d like to move. So, he said that he didn’t like me. In an effort to change his thoughts and in turn, change his ways, I told him that I didn’t like him either and tickled him and said, just kidding.   That started a conversation about lying. Well, I had to break it down so the 4 year old could understand. Well, being a woman of faith, I told them that it’s a sin to lie. The 4 year asked if that was why Christ died and I commenced to explain that he died to save us from our sins, one of which is lying.

He had a good come back. He told me that I’d sin then because I lied about not liking him. I think he understood. Just that simple event, reminded me that out of the mouth of a babe, the truth shall set you free.

Cheers.

Physical or mental training?

WILLIEMINA — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:16:52 +0000

Today I went to the gym to do cardio and ran into the nicest elderly gentleman. He looked like he needed someone to talk to so, I opened up a conversation. Boy, did I ask for a bucked of worms!

He invited me to sit down and have a conversation with him. Twenty minutes later, I left 20 minutes educated in finance. I’ve always wanted to learn and God just strategically placed this gentleman in my path. To turn out, he’s a professor in the mastes program for International Finance.

Even though I did my cardio, I was more mentally refreshed and left the gym with the biggest smile on my face. God’s good.

STAYING FOCUS

WILLIEMINA — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:43:17 +0000

I read two great quotes that can sum up my journey back to getting fit.   "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." (Charles Swindoll) "It’s not what I say, but how I say it. It’s not what I do, but the way I do it." (Mae West)

I read these quotes daily to remind me that when I walk outside of my space and enter the world, that I must remain focused. Often times, my confidence and faith is intimidating to others. Even though I have a kind and respectful spirit, I often feel uncomfortable at how I am perceived and how people react to me. It kills them that I’m so quite. But, it is only in silence where we can hear our thoughts.

I was reactive to the manner in which I was and am treated, but since I’ve been training on my own, I’ve rediscovered that place of meditative silence where my mind is connected to my every being. Whenever, I sense the negative thoughts or the negative reactions, I now just brush it to the side. I no longer react. After all, a thought is only a word that is waiting to be acted out.

It is in this place, I am at peace with the fact that as long as I change my thoughts to the positive, the negatives will not cause my body to react.

P.S. I do talk a lot, when I’m comfortable…LOL

04DEC-THE JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A VISION

WILLIEMINA — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:14:32 +0000

I’d like to say that many of my problems are resolved when I slow down and meditate and get in a relaxed state of mind. I’ve been asked by many friends as to how to start their journey to a better health and even compete. It took some time to think this through because even though I’ve been an athlete for 15 competitive years and a personal trainer for 10, I still felt that there’s so much I still need to learn. Getting into figure is something new for me.

But, as one of my friends told me, it’s in me, to do great things because I have a great approach to my training. What is this approach? I start my writing down my vision. Remember actions are created by a verbal recital of your thoughts. Thoughts are, in turn, created by words. That brought me back to my Daily Words where in Genesis, God create the world with His Words. Words are very powerful and thus, when you have a vision, write it down, believe it that it is already given to you, and be thankful for what is received.

So, in writing down your vision for losing weight, gaining muscle, competing, or whatever it may be, you start by acting on them. I create a dream board and I place a picture of when I was a track runner on it, a cross to remind me daily of where my blessings come from, etc.

In writing down my vision, I write down steps as to how I will achieve it (with resourses like trainers, finances, etc). Next to each steps I write down dates I want to achieve them (with a pencil). Whenever, I get discouraged, I go back to this journal to remind me of what I’m trying to accomplish.

God bless and chat soon.

FRIDAY

WILLIEMINA — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 07:08:06 +0000

This was a great day. This is my last day off and then, it’s the weekend.

I wish my friends, Nancy George and Meriza Deguzman, good luck on their first pro debue tomorrow at the Tournament of Champions.

Activities:

Weights: Back-assisted pull up, wide grip pull down (straight and angled), wide grip pull back, single arm pull down, dumb bell pull backs, calves

Cardio: 400 calories

Other: 3 hours of sailing. I’m getting better. I made a few minor errors, but as my instructor told me, if I’m not learning something new each time I go out, then, I’m not sailing.

Mood: cranky…I did not eat on schedule at all today. So, my insulin levels were all over the place.

Goals attained: Back is my hardest body part to train. I did it though and hope to see progress. I hate looking in the mirror though because I see my love handles. My most positive goal attained was the relaxed view of the day after sailing.

WEDNESDAY

WILLIEMINA — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:08:09 +0000

Well, I took the day off and just enjoyed the day.

0700: 40 MINUTES WALKING ON INCLINE (15% INCLINE/3.5 SPEED)

          15 MINUTES WALKING LUNGES

          30 MINUTES OF SHOULDER/TRICEPS

1030-1630: SAILING

1630-2000: tend to the boys

2000-2300: house/husband/cooking

Mood: very relaxed.

Diet: on track.

Goal attained: Yes. I didn’t feel as if I did anything but I’m sure that my body will appreciate the workout.