The Speed of Life

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the speed of life.  Watching Dylan grow and develop and realizing he is almost a year old, makes me feel like things are just going too fast.  Right now, I’m on a plane heading home from a three-day trip to Savannah, Georgia and then I’m driving to Grandma and Grandpa’s to go camping for the weekend.  It is so amazing that I can fly across the country in a day but I’m really glad I don’t have to do this all of the time.  I question whether humans should really be living at the speed that we do. 

I’ve been taking Dylan on bike rides, pulling him in his trailer behind my bike.  We’ve rode with Bonnie; we’ve gone to pick up garlic in Keizer; we went to Walgreens right before I left.  That feels like a speed I can handle right now. 

I remember wanting everything to happen faster when I was in high school and college.  I wanted to hurry up with school.  I wanted it done so I could really live my life.  I guess that was a growth opportunity for me that I might have missed.  I should have been living my life then.  I don’t always live my life now; I still have times when I want things to hurry up so I can do x, y, or z but I’m realizing that hurrying up to do that means I lose sight of that which is right in front of me.  Being present in the here and now.  That’s life.  I’d like to think I’m done with the hurry up and wait syndrome.  I think I’d rather just plod along and deal with the great things around me now.  Take the great opportunities as they come, look forward to the future, but realize that I have everything I need right here.

And, as much as Grandma wants me to work (help-out) at Campout this weekend, I’m looking forward to a lazy weekend.  Enjoying family and friends.  Being close to Dylan.  And, sleep…trying to figure out which coast my body is on while my soul continues to work on being here, wherever I am! And maybe I’ll speed up just a tad, and take Dylan for a bike ride :)

Our Own Worst Critic

I’ve done it.  I’m sure you’ve done it.  What is it?  Well how about talking to yourself in a way you would never consider talking to your best friend.  It seems like all of us that struggle with weight loss have done it at some point.  Told ourselves a story about how we aren’t good enough, or how we don’t look a certain way or how everything will be perfect when…Get real.  Stop telling yourself these kinds of stories.  Tell yourself good stories, positive stories.  Stories about loving yourself how you are.  Stories about how you are a wonderful person, how you are making positive changes in your life. Stories that make you feel good not bad.  Even subtle stories have the ability to make or break us.  Stop the negative subtle…shoot for positive subtle and work your way up from there!

How I Got Here - Part II

A few years ago, I was reading one of those free "health" magazines you can get at health food stores. In the back it had 10 Affirmations for 2007 by Elson M. Haas, MD. By no means have I stuck to this but I refer back to them regularly and find that they help me refocus when I am out of sorts. I have copied what was there below. Click on the name above to be taken to Dr. Haas' website. I don't know much about him but it looks interesting.

Adapted from 10 Affirmations for 2007 (or any time!)

1. I will eat the most wholesome foods as Nature provides them.
2. I will eat the right amount for my body and eat only when I am hungry.
3. I will chew my food thoroughly and take time to eat.
4. I will avoid junky foods and artificial ingredients as much as possible.
5. I will let go of any regular use of troublesome SNACCs: sugar, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, and chemicals.
6. I will stretch my body and mind to be my most flexible.
7. I will exercise daily with enjoyable physical activities.
8. I will drink plenty of good, clean water.
9. I will allow myself enough sleep to rest my body nightly, recharging my batteries and supporting my immune strength to protect against illness.
10. I will pay attention to my emotions and stresses and find ways to develop non-aggressive, non-hurtful ways to express my feelings and let go of stress.