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75 Hard, Things Grandpa Said, More of What There Should Be and Other Perfectly Orchestrated Coincidences

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God is truly all wonderful and all powerful.

As of Monday, November 20th I have officially completed my 75 Hard. 75 days of working out twice per day for 45 minutes each, drinking a gallon of water, following a diet, no cheat meals, no alcohol, taking a progress photo and also reading 10 pages of nonfiction. No alterations to the program. If you fail a task, you must restart on Day 1.

I began this challenge as a positive step towards consistency in my life. My main goal is to become intentional and consistent.

Our loving God is two very important things: Intentional and consistent. Here are some other things that have lined up perfectly today to assure me on my path.

The day I finished was a Monday. According to my Grandpa, “the most happy day of the week.” Please read the photo attached of a letter my grandpa wrote about Monday and the many blessings we are each afforded every day, but that I will take the time to acknowledge each Monday because of him.

That same day I read an entry I have never read in the Big Book. It made me cry. It was from a woman who had spent a long time in the rooms and was discussing how even with all her clean time she was still struggling to express her needs to others. She wanted to stand off instead. I often find myself feeling this way. It feels more natural for me to attempt to isolate as an alcoholic even now nearly 4 years sober. I work to live a better life every day. I want to be someone who communicates and takes responsibility for my emotions.

This is the text that stood out to me the most from her: “Thank Heaven nothing is as bad as it used to be and there is so much more of what there should be in my life.”

A little sob escaped me. Thank Heaven indeed. I am so fortunate.

Also the day lined up so that I would be cooking lunch for all of God’s people out at House of Prayer. This meal that I cook will be the official anniversary of my service work with the ministry. One whole year of feeding his people. Feeding folks is a ministry that was given to me by my parents through their passion for the church and the divine steering of God towards all things food and feeding others. The most direct picture of this ministry was modeled to me by both of my dads throughout my life beginning when I was very young. My dad feeding the unhoused in California while our family was in mourning. My bonus dad feeding other families each year for the holidays and through his restaurants.

The same day I also was awarded my Community Engagement cord for my service work with House of Prayer, HDCA, Cleburne Chamber, SHINE and now even the backup. project. (Get involved at http://www.thebackupproject.com)

I will wear this when I graduate with my masters to signify my time in service to my community in the duration of my studies.

Some people may not even notice the divine timing of these things, and I will pray for their eyes to be opened. If life is a symphony and we are the orchestra then surely God is the greatest conductor of all.

I am thankful for a love so powerful that His goodness can be shown to me in such an extreme way.

It brings a tear to my eyes to write this. To know I am lucky enough to even be alive in this moment, to experience so many blessings all on one day. What a wonderful season of gratitude. It really is that simple.

If you have read this, thank you. I hope you will commit to beginning something for yourself that you have been putting off for some time. You are smart, capable and important enough to begin the work on or with yourself and God will be with you through it. I pray over all of your own victories as well and for all the moments when you get to suddenly realize that nothing is as bad as it was and that there is so much more of what should be in your life.

Thank you, God. Gracias, Papa Dios.

XOXO,

NBNealie

On the Bright Side I Am Not Addicted to Cocaine.

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Hello Hello Hello my beautiful little NBN birdies.
I was fiddling around on le Tumblr (Which is also nothingbutnealie in case you were wondering darlings.) when I came across something a girl named Sydnee reblogged. (Her user is outersp-aces in case you were wondering again.) (You’ve really got to stop wondering it’s getting me all side tracked.) (Back on topic…) Anyway, her post was just text that said “On the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.” So this girl right here got to thinking I should share it all with you. I’m going to teach you the correct usage of the phrase “On the bright side I’m not addicted to cocaine.”

Now a few of you may have already heard this phrase before, or maybe it’s reference I don’t get, or hey,… Maybe I’m as lame as everyone thinks I am. Which is plausible.
*Stands awkwardly in front of crowd* *Sniffs* *Pushes up glasses* *Runs away*

JUST GO WITH IT ANYWAY.

This is how you use said phrase. 🙂

EXAMPLES YO:

I went bankrupt today… on the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.
My dog ate every pair of underwear I own… on the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.
I was banned from my favorite Italian restaurant today… on the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.
Scooby Doo reruns were discontinued… on the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.
The sound of music completely shattered my ear drums last Tuesday and my hospital bill is out of this world… on the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.
Today my fish ran away from home because he couldn’t stand the amount of hairspray I use on a daily… on the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.
My only friend is my refrigerator… on the bright side I am not addicted to cocaine.

So when your car breaks down, it rains on your parade, and your social life drops off the plateau of Decent Friend Land, just think on the bright side you are not addicted to cocaine.

POLL TIME:

Disclaimer: This phrase does not actually apply if you are in fact addicted to cocaine.
24 Hour Drug Abuse Hotline: 1 (888) 724 2193

XOXO
Not addicted to the cocaine Nealie.

Why You Can’t Miss Friday Night Football Even if Your Team is a Bunch of Losers.

Okay I don’t necessarily go to away games for my team because they really are a bunch of losers. They try really hard not to be but we are. So if your football team really does always lose I suggest you don’t waste your gas on away games unless you have a weird theory and you think you’re like their good luck charm or you’ve got impeccable team spirit. The first reason you can’t miss all those little home games is because dude concession stand food is the best. Who doesn’t like nachos and funnel cake? The second is because when all the guys are talking about these awesome passes that scored us the only points we got the whole game it’d be nice to know what they’re talking about. Thirdly it’s how you catch up with all the friends you don’t have classes with. And even if your team loses all the time you can still make bets on how much they’ll improve or suck. Like at the first home game we lost 13 to 50 something. Then the week after that when it was away they lost 13 to 40 something! They’re clearly working on their defense. Also pretty much the most important reason to go to a football game is to stalk cute guys/girls. And there you have it, clear the next couple home game Fridays and enjoy.(:

XOXO