Right Here, Right Now

Part of being a strategist and a planner is constantly looking at the future and considering all things that may happen.  No matter what the event - a marathon,  a project (perhaps one in the same?), a class, an activity, a weight loss undertaking, a college education, a dinner party - I ask questions like:

• What is the date?
• What is the goal?
• What are the risks?
• What are the rewards? 
• What are the implications?
• What happens if the date is missed? (tough one for an organized marathon or for losing weight in time for an event)
• Can that date be made?  Reasonably?

All good and valid questions which all lead to a future of healthy and happy tomorrows. 

However, no matter what the project being planning, remember that plans are just that, and that one must live in the "today" world as much as the "tomorrow" world. 

One can plan to complete a marathon six months from now, but today, that person has to get out and run.  One can plan to lose the ten pounds for some future date or event, but today healthy choices must be made to achieve the desired healthy weight of tomorrow. 

Today is always a new beginning and another chance to live in the present and look to the future.

Tomorrow, and all the forthcoming tomorrows are just extensions of Right Here and Right Now. 

Do Right Now - and tomorrow will be on it's way.

Carpe Diem - and so it is...

Finishing Is The Key to Starting

I ran across a statement this weekend that got me thinking (again)

In order for there to be a start, there has to be a finish

I love to start new things - new books, new workouts, new marathon trainings, new trips, new projects.  However, I am not always great about finishing.  At this moment, there are at least five books on my nightstand, two more on my Nook, and one in my computer bag.  All but the one in my bag has been started, and then put on pause.  Projects - well, let's just say I have been working on my office and organizing files for a good long time.   I've been starting a diet every Monday since November, but never finishing the unhealthy eating habits that have crept back into my routine.  And as a side note - diets don't work anyway.  I know better, and my weight loss success has been based on healthy eating and moderation - not deprivation and diets.  Why I  decided to start a diet each week is based in not finishing slugging through the issues instead of letting them literally "eat" away at me. 

Getting started on some things has been challenging in the last months - but when I really reflected on the statement above, I realized that what I needed more than new distractions was to finish. 

Finish what?  Well, suffice it to say finish some unpleasant emotional business.  Finish taking on roles that make me unhappy.  Finish making excuses.  Finish whining.  Finish feeling bad.  Just finish...

So, this is not a week of a start, but rather a week of the finish.  I won't be finishing all the books in progress, but I will decide which ones to "finish" for now.  What I am committed to finishing above all else is the "stuff" that is getting in the way of my healthiness.  For it is only when you finish and get rid of that which is "weighing on you" that a real start can occur. 

Carpe Diem - and so it is...

Reunited, and It Feels So Good!

When any relationship feels like more work than pleasure, or more demanding than joyous, it can be good to pause, walk away, and take a break for a while.  It doesn't mean it's "over", it just needs some space.

I needed a break from my relationship with distance events and workouts after November 6th, 2010.  Truth be told - the end was in sight long before that.  Although I experienced extreme joy working with a disabled athlete at the NYC Marathon, I did not enjoy any workouts that lead up to the marathon.  My head wasn't in the game, and that lack of commitment appeared in my performance, as well as my waistline. 

The fitness relationship that had been forged started slipping in early May of 2010.  The gym was boring, and the outdoors just seemed too, well outdoors. Oh, I went through the motions, and ecked out a couple half marathons because I'm stubborn.  I even managed to power through a three day 60 mile event.  On the morning of the November 6th, 2010 as I dressed to complete 26.2 miles, the image in the mirror knew she wasn't ready.  It was then I knew it was over, at least for now. 

I had worked so hard to create a healthy, fit body - and suddenly that wasn't enough.  The seeds of doubt and familiarity crept in, and the "coasting" began.  We all know the "coasting" - enough effort to get by, to sustain, to manage.  Yes, there was the initial evidence of a "muffin top", but it was only a few pounds, and the "skinny jeans" still fit.  Yes - there should have been more spinach and less whipped cream, but why not?  Life is short, right?  All signs of boredom, distain, and apathy...

Why did I lose interest?  Well - that could take up a book (which is in the process of being written).  All that matters is that I did lose interest, lose passion, and lose desire to caretake the relationship.  So I walked away and got together with my old habits.  I thought we would be happy together - eating and drinking and avoiding exercise. 

Not So Much...

I suddenly wanted to get back together with my body.  I missed it, and pined for it, and no amount of dark chocolate could turn me away from the feeling of strong abs and successfully completing a distance event as a well trained and conditioned participant.  The siren call of ice cream was over...The desire to sooth with sugar was over...

Last night I went back to the gym for the first time since November, and it was as welcoming as the father of the prodigal son.  Slowly I got back on the treadmill, and as we became reacquainted, it was as if we had never said goodbye.  It felt so good to complete a workout!  Although I am sore this morning from some overzealous yoga work on my abs, it is the sore that lets you know all is right with the world. 

It is going to take a bit of time to get back into full swing, but the heart is willing, the forgiveness complete, the rhythm and patterns beginning to re-establish themselves, and to improve and be stronger than before.

The second time around has been know to be even better than the first.  Reunited - and it feels so good... 

Carpe Diem, and so it is...

The Wagon - It's Back On!

It's January 14th, 2011 - 14 days into the New Year which is replete with declarations of resolutions, intentions, and goals. 

I haven't been perfect these last 14 days, but have at least been consciously aware of what I am eating, drinking, and sneaking (sweet potato fries are NOT healthy no matter what explanation is given.  It's the word "fry" that gives that away...) 

Today while dressing, I was pleasantly surprised that a pair of slacks that were snug two weeks ago are  loose again.  The belt that was on the first notch is now on the third. Waking up and being mindful really does make a difference - not only in weight, but in life. 

Small changes and small re-arranges all equal moderates losses.  Just the encouragement I needed to keep those intentions. That kind of belt is a joy to tighten.

Carpe Diem and so it is...

2011 - What A Year It Will Be

2010 is over.  Obvious statement though that may be, for me, it is beyond over.  It is:

• Cancel
• Clear
• Delete  

There were plenty of positive aspects to that year. The second half in particular included wonderful experiences, adventures, clarity, and new opportunities. 

The first half though - well, despite a few shining moments, suffice it to say again - Cancel, Clear, Delete.  I'm resolved to think of it as my chance to let go (something I am learning to do better). 

2010 - Thanks for the memories and lessons. However - Done, Over, Basta. Cancel, Clear, Delete.


2011 - As with most of humanity, it is with excitement and anticipation that I greet this new year. It feels great already. 

How did this new and wonderous year arrive?  Quietly with a family dinner on the eve, and with a continued quiet day at home on the 1st.  The quiet was not a result of overindulgence, but rather one last day of dark clouds, winter hibernation,  and peace before this New Year really gets into gear.

Today - I awoke to a stunning winter sunrise. The icy cold has completely cleared the air. 

And in that clarity - things look so bright again.

To Begin, Again...

I read this passage earlier today, and completely agree...


"Congratulations! You are back! You are finally allowing yourself to be who you are meant to be instead of living your life according to everyone else’s expectations. When you honor your true self, life is so much more rewarding and less stressful because you are living in authenticity."


Carpe Diem, and so it is...

On Any Given Day...

the most amazing coincidences can happen - and when they do - it's astounding the directions in which one is led...

Carpe Diem, and so it is...

Thursday, October 14th, 2010 - Carpe Diem, Putting the Past Away, And Another "11"

Today has been extraordinary and transformative in the most simple yet profound ways. 

• 11 - the positive power number has appeared again and again. 
• Coincidences en masse
• Signs - popping up everywhere

Since I am doing a half marathon this weekend, and since I haven't been my most healthy self, I have been "indulging" a bit too much in treats.  I declared that I could eat whatever I wanted this week - and has that ever been a true statement.  Treats are not bad, as Grandpa Phil always said, everything in moderation.  Well - I forgot the "moderation" part and just went for the everything.  The wagon isn't too far gone, but unless stopped, it would ride into a many pound weight gain, and that just is not acceptable.

While watching that last miner ascend yesterday (miraculous!), I enjoyed a high calorie and  fat treat.  I was rejoicing with the world at this miracle, and rejoice equals coconut cream pie, right?  It capped off an unhealthy dinner, a ridiculously bad lunch, and an earlier indulgence that I don't wish to acknowledge (yes I know - my head is in the sand). 

This morning, I woke up with a migraine and a cold in my chest - no surprise there.  My jeans were in a word "snug".  And quite frankly, I felt like I had been to the junk food bender-orama.  This capped the build up to detonation, and when I got on the scale this morning to face the truth - BOOM!!!

The word "Detoxify" came to me, and the meaning resonated.  To feel better, I ate worse.  What an old and stale pattern that is / was.  Eating junk wasn't going to help "fix" anything.  Using white cheddar popcorn as a weapon - not going to dent the enemy. Injesting chemically created "cream" on a pie?  Really? 

The root of the eating?  For another blog, but we all have "something"...

Oy...

So - Done...Enough...

To quote from The Labours of Hercules by Dr. Francis Merchant, the Teacher said to Hercules:
"One word of counsel only I may give...
We rise by kneeling; we conquer by surrendering; we gain by giving up"

When we face a hydra with nine heads (one of which may be a Dorito, or a bag of them), fighting a conventional battle of  brute force will only empower it.  If you cut off one head, two more will instantly appear (these then shaped like a Dairy Queen Cone and  A Hostess Ho Ho). 

A Different (and smarter) Strategy:
If you get down, grab that hydra and raise it up, suspended in mid-air, it's powers diminsh.  The light and air causes that nasty ol' beast to be weak, and then, we can take it out with ease and never see its ugly heads again.

Today is declared to be Hydra Be Gone Day...

On another note - and profound in a different way:

Between Monday, December 3rd, 2007 and Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 - there were:

• 2 years, 4 months, and 11 days
• 863 Days
• 20,712 hours
• 1,242,720 minutes
• 74,563,200 second

This is the Past.  It is now done, concluded, over, finito, finished, basta.  Thank you for the lessons, and for giving me such knowledge, wisdom and experience.

Between Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 and Thursday, October 14th, 2010 - there were:

• 6 months
• 183 Days
• 4,392 hours
• 263,520 minutes
• 15,811,200 seconds

This is now also the Past. It is concluded and complete.

Between Thursday, October 14th, 2010 and Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 - there are:

• 335 Days
• 8,040 Hours
• 482,400 Minutes
• 28,944,000 Seconds
• It is equal to exactly 11 months (there is that number again...)

This is the beginning of a great present and a incredible future.

Carpe Diem - and so it is.

Carpe Diem Reminder #216

I just got word that a dear former colleague of mine passed away from a heart attack at age 52.  That's tough to take, but for me it is another reminder to live in the present moment, and don't let the minisule irritations get in the way. 

Treasure the simple:

• Playing a fierce game of Trouble with my nieces, and then snuggling with them under a pile of blankets on a chilly fall evening wearing our matching pajamas
• A gorgeous maple tree changing colors
• Sunshine
• A feast of Chinese takeout
• A fantastic conversation with someone in a customer service job that actually wants to provide customer service above and beyond (thank you BethAnn at the Mandarin Oriental!  You are the best!)
• A note from my college freshman godson telling me "I'm the best" for no apparent reason
• Finding the perfect birthday card for my mother that I know will make her cry in a good way

These are not monumental moments, but they are the moments that thread together our lives, and sometimes, that is all the special that is required. 

Joe -many will miss you.  Thank you for being a part of my life for the time you were, and thank you for the viseral and painful reminder that Carpe Diem / All In is the only way to live. 

"Showing Up" - Part Two

For the last three days - I have been "showing up" to continue preparations for the upcoming distance events.  This is generally unremarkable other than since I have been contending with a flare up, this is the first time in several weeks that there has been training this many days in a row. 

Sunday - 4 miles outside in the crisp fall air.  It was literally sparkling and the trees was vibrant in their colorful garb. 

Monday - tennis for the first time in forever.  It felt so great to play, to hit, and to feel the ball contact the strings and go zooming back over the net.  Serena and Venus - I'm back...

Tuesday - 5.37 miles on the treadmill, abs and lower body weights.   I let go control of my Ipod and shuffled - (rare for me).  It played a lot of Monkees and Springsteen - an unlikely combination, but it worked.  Throw in some Rolling Stones and it made for a great workout. 

Truthfully, there will be aspirin and an Icy Hot patch tonight to quell the aches mainly induced by the tennis playing (different muscle groups).  But I showed up - 3 days in a row.  As previously mentioned, to hit the ball, you gotta go to the ballpark.

Now - will I "show up" tomorrow?  Will my joints cooperate?  More to follow...

Carpe Diem, and so it is...