Separating From Ed

     It's not just my story. It's not just your story. None of us are a single, isolated individual. We don't exist in a world where it is just you or only me. We live in a place where life involves crossing paths, meeting, change, and dynamic possibilities. Our worlds collide in beautiful, God-ordained ways. We intertwine, mix, mingle, and influence one another. When we talk or get together, we impact each other. Made with the YouVersion Bible app      There's no way this is just my story. You see, my story involves so many others. To claim my life as completely my own or solely belonging to me, I forget that those closest to me, and even those that seem to be far away, distant, or opposite me, had a profound effect on me, my life, and my story.      The concept is simple. I am not a entity on my own. I am the product of those who made me, those who raised me, those who taught me, grew up with me, befriended me, pushed me, challenged me, and helped me grow. I am also l

      Let's talk about joy. Joy can feel so fleeting. Joy can be an emotion or a state. Being joyful can be a personality trait or characteristic. Joy can be such a blessing. But joy is not the same as happiness.       You see, happiness is  fleeting. Happiness comes and goes. It is available, but not always attainable. Happiness seems to be influence by where we are, who we are with, what we are doing, and a multitude of other things. Created through the YouVersion Bible app      Joy, though, joy is always available. Joy is a mindset that we are all capable of achieving. Thanks to the goodness of God, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, joy is available. God wants  us to have and experience His joy. Isn't that remarkable? God wants  that for us, His people. He is not a God of punishment, hatred, disgust, and despair. No, He wants us to feel lasting joy. The way to that joy? To the Father through Jesus His Son.       Jesus' death on the cross, his burial, and His mir

  Created with Canva Signs you may have a problem with excessive exercise You HAVE to workout You feel frustrated or upset if you miss a workout You compensate for food using extra exercise You compulsively workout using a routine or a set time frame You don't stop when you are tired You don't take a break if you are sick or injured You push through extra sets, reps, laps, or miles, even when you don't want to You feel extremely fatigued Your body is begging you to stop, but your mind is telling you to keep going You miss out of social events to exercise You tell yourself you have to exercise or have to workout prior to x, y, or z Other people may comment on your regiment and the rigidity of it People may ask you to stop exercising so much You have difficulty focusing on other tasks if you feel you should be working out You may or may not go above and beyond recommendations for physical activity You have an abnormally low heart rate You lose your period I started this

Image created using Canva Signs you may have an eating disorder and why it's a problem: You think about food ALL THE TIME You weigh yourself often or regularly You obsess over calories, macronutrients, cleanliness, purity, content, or food groups You don't really care about the taste, pleasure, or enjoyment of food You freak out regarding restaurants or prepared foods You avoid restaurants at all costs You look up the menu prior to an outing You research the calories, macros, or content before eating out You don't indulge at holidays You avoid food someone else has prepared for you You fear trying new things You skirt around the topic of food OR You conversely are obsessive over talking about food You read nutrition labels or ingredient lists compulsively You feel guilt around partaking in some or all foods You feel weak, ill, or fatigued often You are ill You tire easily and quickly You don't go out as much as you previously did You don't stay out as long or as lat