You Are What You Think

About this time last year, I went to a Mary Kay party of a friend, and two weeks later the consultant convinced me to become a consultant myself.  I thought I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.  I am not one to make such decisions quickly, without lots of thought and information.  I was convinced I could do it, and I was motivated because I could get out of the house a little (I definitely need that as a stay-at-home mom), get to know people, build relationships, and make some money (I really wanted to pay off these student loans faster.)  I spent way too much on inventory when I signed up, thinking, oh, I'll sell it eventually even if it doesn't work out.  I went to training meetings every week, had several parties, even went to Seminar in late July, wasted time and money on vendor fairs, and finally decided in December, this just does not work for me.  It could...if I wanted to call people everyday, if I was convinced Mary Kay is the best brand out there for the products they sell*, if I had no reservations about the byproducts of the dual marketing,** if I was passionate about helping people look good...and if I really knew how to build relationships.

Several months later, here I am, trying to start a blog (not this one) to positively impact the world with something I am actually passionate about--nutrition.  But it's more than nutrition information and tips.  It's also about changing the thinking that keeps us stuck.  After all, you are what you eat; you are what you think. Mary Kay actually has training on this subject.  I've read a few books about it as well, not the least of which is the Bible.

Last year I claimed Romans 12:2 (NIV) as my life verse:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."  

The apostle Paul also encourages us to think about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...anything [that] is excellent or praiseworthy" (Philippians 4:8).  Moses instructed the Israelites "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds...Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Pretty much, talk about the laws of God all day long; Deut. 11:19)  If you're talking about it, you're thinking about it.  King Solomon said in Proverbs 23:7 (NASB), "For as he thinks within himself, so he is."

To read and study and memorize and meditate on the very words of God would make me the child and servant of God He wants me to be.  If God is the all-powerful, good and wonderful Creator of the Universe who loves me so much that he gave his only son, Jesus Christ, for me...and if his words are among my foremost thoughts...I will live my life as God wills, be fruitful and successful.  "The chief end of (wo)man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." (Westminster Shorter Catechism)  How can I glorify God unless I am faithful to do what he says?  The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and will all your strength.  And the second greatest is like it: love your neighbor as yourself (do to others as you'd want them to do to you; Matthew 22:37-40).  To love God is to obey Him.  I must know what He says in order to be sure what He wants.  But because my heart is so quick to wander from God, I must train myself to seek Him.  I must make thinking about His Word a habit--a lifestyle.  The most important relationship to build is with God.  Not be more intentional--truly passionately, avidly pursuing God--has cost me too much.  More about that soon.


*There are products that I believe are the very best of their kind for the value.  There are products that are truly best sellers because ladies love them.  But there are a lot of products that are sub par in my opinion.  The question of chemical safety is my biggest issue.

**I love the principles the Mary Kay company was founded upon.  I love the idea they state often to put God first, family second and career third.  I love how much they put into training consultants to be the best they can be.  I love that the company makes an effort to impact the world by helping women and children and working towards environmentally sustainable practices.  They might not be in business though if they trained directors to encourage incoming consultants not to buy inventory until their business is consistently up and running.  The byproduct of this negligence has lead to many disappointed, disgruntled and even vengeful former consultants.  It is hard work to make significant income.  Really hard, especially if you aren't a "people person."