What Are Your Intentions?

There is a profound moment in the movie Apollo 13 where Jim Lovell asks his team "Gentlemen, what are your intentions?" 

Why is that such an important question?

The original mission of Apollo 13 was for the lunar module Aquarius to land Lovell and Fred Haise on the moon and to explore the Fra Mauro highlands. 

As famously noted - everything changed with the statement "Houston, we have a problem" and the intended mission went out the window.  The new intentions?  Stay alive and return to Earth as quickly as possible.   Seemingly good intentions and ultimately - successful for the crew. 

Without intention - the day becomes unfocused and frustrated.  The day "happens to me" instead of me steering that ship.  Too much junk and clutter.  I am skipping yoga and the treadmill.  I'm not creative, and finding excuses for not doing that which I intended to do.

With intention:

• Action is guided towards goals and objectives
• Excuses dissipate
• Change occurs
• Accomplishments flourish
• Everything feels better

So, what are my intentions?  The first one is at this very moment to forgive myself for what I didn't do, what I didn't accomplish, and my goals gone by the wayside.  All of that is done, and there really is no use in crying over spilled milkshakes, gained weight, or uncompleted to do lists.  My intention is that all of that is behind me - right now.

I intend that as of this moment - the playing field is completely level and the future is all things possible. 

Now - my intentions are set for the next 30 days and admittedly, they are challenging.  I am intent on accomplishment, and I will be asking myself the question each morning, and using the answers to shape my daily activities.  After the first 30 days, it will again be time to reflect and reset the next set of intentions.

Don't wait any longer.  It is time to ask ourselves what do we really want and how we are going to do it.  Why not?

What are your intentions? 

Carpe Diem, and so it is...



 

October 1st - The Truth

September 2011 was an amazing month of fun, joy, love, and celebrations.  It was a month of indulgences - and it was magnificent! 

October 2011 is time to get back to basics, get back to getting it done - day by day. 

First things first - assess where you are.  You can't "fly the plane" until you figure out your position. 

Where I am:

• A number on the scale this morning that I didn't much care for...
• Snug skinny jeans
• Discomfort

Onward:

• Focus on what can be done and my strengths
• Vision of what is desired (i.e. looser fitting skinny jeans)
• Comfort

Note - no wallowing, self doubt, or "beating up" allowed.  It is what it is - and the aformentioned things will never change that fact.  The best and only practical thing to do is move forward. 

Someone recently told me to never look back, lest like the myth of Eurydice, she returned to the Underworld the moment Orpheus looked back.  Look forward, he said, and avoid any unpleasant issues with what has passed.  You can't do a thing about it anyway, so look ahead. 

Checklist complete - All systems are go.  I am flying the plane from here, full speed ahead, with a clear vision of the destination.   

All is possible when all is desired.

Carpe Diem - and so it is...

Enough - Onward

A long while has passed since any words were written here. Why?

• Reasons? Many.
• Excuses? Perhaps a few.
• Results of the reasons and excuses? Not good.

Enough...

I'm most decidedly not where I want to be as I begin my "second half". It is very convenient to place blame on the birthday odyssey for some excess weight, but I know better. I know better than to blame in general. It does not, nor will it repair the damages and propel me forward (not backward) to where I want to be.

Enough...

No more resistance. No more attempting to change things that I cannot change. It is time to accept what is - as it is today (painful though that is).

• For this moment - it is what it is, no matter how I want it to be something else
• For this moment - indulgence, stress and frustration is sitting in my midsection (perhaps a bit in the thighs as well)
• For this moment - I am not able to complete the half marathon I wanted to do in October
• For this moment - the other unpleasant things are real and icky

And to all of that, and the items too numerous to list - for this moment - it is what it is.

The good news?  From this moment on - it can be different. It can change, it can be better, and I can react by making better choices.

Much has been accomplished thus far, and for all of those things I am profoundly grateful. Now - my sights are set on moving forward, and not ever looking back again.

One of my favorite football teams always performs very well in the first half, and fails to "close the deal" in the second half. In my second half - I intend to "close the deal" - over and over and over again.

Enough...

No looking back...

Onward...

Personal Declaration of Independence

The Fourth of July reminds me again of my gratitude for the innumerable freedoms I enjoy, and the prosperity of this wonderful country in which I live.  It is a day to thank those who created this country and those who defend and protect it to this day.

I'm also grateful for the journey of declaring "independence".  Independence from what?  Well - that list is long but distinguished (to quote a favorite movie) but mainly independence from excess weight - physical and emotional.  This journey has been one of twists and turns, literal and figurative ups and downs, and many realizations of the whys, wherefores, and hows it all happened.  Not an easy journey, but one tremendously worthwhile and ongoing... 

A few thoughts that declaring independance:

• Take chances - and have no fear.  The outcome may absolutely amaze and grace you
• Make mistakes.  In the learning is the growing...
• Enjoy time for yourself
• Make your own way - it is likely not a straight path
• Make peace with who you really are right now
• Love yourself - it is the best way to love others

Each human traverses their one messy and precious life.  In my opinion, in order to clarify where you want to go next - take some time to understand where you have been.  Then and only then can one truly declare independence from the issues, problems, hurts, wrongs, and weight of the past.  

 

Release the brakes and hit the gas...It's going to be a wild ride!

 

Carpe Diem - and so it is...

 

 

Shifting Gears...What Is Next?

Reflecting on the first half of 2011 - it has been a bit of a blur, and I am surprised that it is over already.  I learned and experienced more and different things than ever expected or dreamed in these past six months. 

Not all lessons were anticipated and/or  welcome.  A few were most unwelcome - but as it turns out, those are the ones that are "schooling" me the best. 

On the eve of Half Year New Year's Eve (silly, but whatever works), I continue to reflect on what I felt and dealt with in the First Half.  What made sense, what didn't.  What should stay, and more importantly - what should final, once and for all - go...

In the letting go and the jettisoning of old and worn out baggage, one can finally ask:

What's next?   How exciting will it be? 

For me - Can't wait to shift gears, release the brakes, and dive in...

Lucky and Blessed

Tonight, the world lost an amazing musician and human - Clarence Clemmons. 

I am so lucky and blessed to have seen him live performing with the E Street Band - not once, but five times!   Going to those concerts were costly and sometimes inconvenient.  But I am so glad I did - especially tonight knowing that there will never again be another concert in which he will play.

Tonight was an excellent reminder to take advantage of all opportunities, all chances, all moments to do things, see things, experience things - no matter what.  Someday when those opportunities are over, you will have no regrets.  You will have tremedous memories of the incredible experiences that you had.

Lucky and blessed - I am and hope all are.

Carpe Diem - and so it is...

Sometimes...

Sometimes - its just simplicity of just spending time:

• Waking up and listening to the distant thunder
• A great cup of coffee
• A call from a friend to share the news of the day
• Hanging out watching a movie

Nothing epic.  Just spending time...which is often epic enough...

Carpe Diem, and so it is...

One Day

One day lived to the fullest, to the best of your ability - now, that is something!

Acting and Thinking

• Act as if starting this moment, a glorious life is before you
• Act as if the world is your oyster
• Act as if failure is impossible
• Think that any obstacle, small or large, can be overcome - because it can
• Think about all you have and all you will achieve
• Think that you are on the precipice
  of phenomenal success

Carpe Diem, and so it is...

Twin Cities Live Interview - May 16th, 2011

Thank you to Twin Cities Live!  I had a wonderful time on the show and am looking forward to inspiring people to start because:

All glory comes from daring to begin...

What will you dare to begin today?
Twin Cities Live Interview with Carol Fitzgerald Tyler on May 16th, 2011


Carpe Diem, and so it is...