I found a very old journal recently that had a writing exercise that made me take notice. The initial objective was to write a description of your perfect day sometime far in the future when you are ‘old’. My first response was to laugh at what I then thought was old. After the initial writing, we were asked to red line any part of that day that depended on someone else or circumstances over which I had no realistic expectation of control or influence. What was left got highlighted as goals to keep in mind as I grew closer to that magical day in the future.
Looking at the items highlighted all these years later I’m a bit disappointed in myself that I didn’t act sooner or with more determination to ensure those outcomes. It was much easier to take that higher paying job and work all those hours than dedicate myself to taking better care of myself and my family’s health. Sure, we ate organic most of the time, and avoided what we thought was the real ‘bad’ foods, but I also quit reading about the latest research in nutrition and went on hold. Which meant eating more along the SAD than I care to admit. Taking the easy road, because how bad could it be if everyone is doing it is seldom a responsible choice. And I got on and off the exercise track so many times I had whip lash. I also failed to count the cost of pulling up stakes and moving so many times and what a disrupter that is to community. Lots of wonderful experiences, and such a diverse group of friends spread all around the globe for sure. But, where is that local friend you can call for lunch or when you need a hand?
I’ve been a list maker all my life. I think that is my way of trying to make sure the important things in life get done. I’m still making lists, but I’m trying to be a little more honest with myself about what is truly important. Admittedly priorities change with the seasons of life as they should. Packing lunches and doing laundry wasn’t really an option with little kids in the house. And later, writing that employee’s review and creating next year’s budget were essential to support those people who depended on me at work. But I really wish I had made better health decisions along the way. A few more vegetables and a little less cheese would have been good for us. And fitting in that aerobics class could have reduced a lot of stress and the ailments it encouraged during those fun work adventures.
Yesterday is gone, and I hope I’ve learned from it. History is there to teach us, and frequently the lesson is what NOT to do. Every decision is a yes to one outcome and a no to another. I chose yes to health building plants and no to processed cancer causing junk food. I chose yes to taking those extra steps and enjoying that dance and no to sitting for hours in front of the television. When I look at every small choice on the merits of today AND tomorrow, it’s much easier for me to muster the discipline to make the right choices.
Do I have bad days full of bad choices? Absolutely, but fewer all the time. One of my good choices this week was making mushroom enchiladas. A list of nutritional foods I seldom eat spurred this session in the kitchen. We thought it tasted pretty fantastic, and fulfilled my goal of adding more diversity to our diet. If you are interested, I’ve included my recipe on the resource page of this blog. {Mushroom Enchiladas}
My journey isn’t all lists of do this and don’t do that. It’s also full of the serendipity that makes life such an adventure. And I’ve been accused of being a bit of a dreamer. I can identify with the well-worn adage that is it always better to shoot for a star and miss, than aim for a skunk and hit it. Believe me, I’ve smelled a lot of skunks in my life. But I still advocate for a little dreaming. Shoot for a star once in a while, no matter where you are in this journey. It’s worth the effort and you never know what the very act of trying something new might develop in you. Or as I recently saw posted in a classroom, ‘Don’t Be Afraid to Suck at Something New’.
“Wise people are builders – they build families, businesses, communities. And through intelligence and insight their enterprises are established and endure. Because of their skilled leadership, the hearts of people are filled with the treasures of wisdom and the pleasures of spiritual wealth.” (Proverbs 24:3-4 TPT)
“We are constantly making choices about the way we spend our time, from the major seasons to the individual moments in our lives. We’re also living with the consequences of those choices… (Ask) what are the one or two most important things I could do in this role this week that would have the greatest positive impact.” (Stephen R. Covey – First Things First)
“Our diet is the number-one cause of premature death and the number-one cause of disability. Surely diet must also be the number-one thing taught in medical schools, right? Sadly, it’s not.” (Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM – How Not to Die)
Yours for a Joyful Journey,
Joyice