And so it begins, again...

It's decided.  The goal - 6 marathons in 2012.  The question of "how" is now answered by the statement "one step at a time".

I'll be keeping the motivation for and the journal of this journey on 6in12.blogspot.com. 

I'm all in...really...

That is the only way to be...

Carpe Diem, and so it is...

How?

I had an idea on November 4th, 2011.  Well - I had more than one, but never mind the number of ideas that crossed my mind on that day.  This particular idea has grown wings.

How did I get the idea?  I got a text from a friend saying he had thought of me after reading an article about a marathoner.  I was also inspired by the 47,000 or so people participating in the New York City Marathon, particularly Zoe Koplowitz - the 63 year old woman with MS who just completed her 23rd NYC marathon.   There are a few other inspirations as well - and so there it was.  The idea was formed. 

As the idea began to resonate and haunt me all the live long days - How would I accomplish the idea?  I was creating mental project plans, then rejecting them all and worrying about "what if the sky falls on this particular day?"  How am I going to do all of this?  How would my body and mind react to this?  How would I explain it?  How would I blah blah blah...

After several days of chewing on the how's - I had an epiphany last night.  At the conclusion of a heart pounding workout - it just stopped (not my heart but my worry).  Perhaps all the "how to" questions were maybe (read - for sure) a mask for excuses about why it couldn't happen.  I realized I didn't need to have ever small task and detail mapped out.  I just needed to get going on the idea that has permeated my soul.  I needed to stop excusing it and start doing it. 


I am grateful for the inspiration and for this idea.  It somehow feels just right (thank you Goldilocks).   Everything else - well I will figure it out as I go along.

How will I do that?  I just will...

Shine

As in "it is time to"

Energy Surge

In talking with people (and with myself) , it seems lately like many things have been relegated to the "I'll start that tomorrow" file:

• healthy eating patterns (some would call that a "diet")
• exercise
• organization at work and in personal life
• forgiveness and moving on
• serving others
• being authentic

It sounds like a good plan with one main caveat - tommorrow has no guarantee's. 

Today is here, and that makes it a good day to take on transformative energy. Today is a good day to break out of habits that have "accumulated" over time that are no longer of service. 

Today has powerful transformative energy.  Today - change just one habit and watch how even the smallest alteration has a huge effect in your life. 

Carpe Diem, and so it is...

Carpe Diem - Every Diem

Even though I thought I needed no further reminders - today Steve Jobs provided one.  We have one life of undetermined timeframe and unknown possibilities.  Waste not a moment being dis-satisfied. 

• If you aren't happy - do something different.
• If it isn't working - change it.
• If it's awesome - embrace it and make "more".

I am profoundly grateful for the life I have created.  I am thankful for all the events that have brought me to this day and this moment.  I am blessed in countless ways. 
 
However, the reminder today is this - do not settle for what does not work for you, regard yourself daily and ask if what you are about to do "fits" what you really want, and live in the knowledge that you are amazing. 

Mr. Jobs - thank you for the reminder. 


"Your time is limited..don’t waste it living someone else’s life."

Steve Jobs

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...