Time to Get in Shape | What it takes to Realize Success

Here we are, end of January 2019 with New Year’s day now in the rear-view mirror. And here I am, resolution list in hand. In bold letters, at the top of the page: get in shape. Physical, emotional, and spiritual shape that is. This year I didn’t take out a gym membership, sign up for exercise classes, Zumba or Yoga. I didn’t join a meditation group or a bible study group. I decided to do something different. Like, take long walks, dance, lift a few free weights, and climb stairs. Read, write, draw, and paint. But after a while, three weeks to be exact… I lost interest in exercising some of those things listed. Uh-oh! It’s too early in the game to give up.

Now a little guilty and feeling somewhat housebound, I craved the crisp winter air. Oh, who am I kidding? Let me correct the first sentence of this paragraph… I had no option but to face the brisk arctic conditions. So the weather was what it was, and I being who I was, the one who needed exercise and fresh air, chose to head out and brave the elements. But first, I had to ensure I had the proper outfit: warm woolies, toque, scarf, mitts, boots, and parka. When everything was checked off the apparel list; I then went out into the gusty, blustery, frigid, snowy day. One block later, tears welled and turned into microscopic ice crystals that glazed over my vision until I could barely see. I found my way back and realized getting dressed took longer than the walk itself.

A TROOPER OR A DREAMER?

A mild winter, I can handle, but this? Back in the day, we called those who never complained and achieved amazing results even in the midst of something extreme… troopers. Then there were those referred to as dreamers. Those who fantasize about another season… besides winter. The troopers are the hardy souls, whereas the dreamers are delicate beings. There are people who stick to it no matter what and than there are those who try to find an easier way. The effortless approach to get into tip-top shape. There are those who do whatever it takes, regardless of the conditions. Committed to their resolutions, they do what they do best, and that is… they never quit. 

Isn’t it nice to know where there is a will, there is a way? Those who choose and those who don’t. Those who are troopers while others are dreamers. A dreamer will always admire the trooper’s tenacity. And as a dreamer, I’m captivated by winter’s sheer force as well as its exquisite beauty. From the warmth of my home that is. However, I’m also fascinated by the attractive qualities of every tenacious soul determined to succeed regardless of the circumstances, situations, and elements they had endured to reach success.

TO GET INTO SHAPE YOU MUST DREAM A LITTLE, CREATE YOUR AGENDA, THEN PRACTICE BY DOING

Sometimes you have to be a dreamer to envision those lofty goals before you can pursue them. And sometimes you learn valuable lessons from those who have been there and achieved what you have yet to accomplish. Last year I wrote a blog post on New Year Wishes. It ended up being nothing more than a wish list. Once a list is created it has to be scheduled and once on the calendar it’s important to keep yourself personally accountable.

A wish is but a wish, a dream is just a dream, and a list is only a list. Whether a bucket list, a New Year resolution list or a to do list unless scheduled it remains a list of personal broken promises to self. However, placed as an agenda item whereby you block off time to act upon the goal, will ultimately yield success. There’s an awesome blog post (Art of Time Blocking) that I happened to come across, after reading it, wished I had seen it years ago.

I took a break from writing this blog. Gazed out in awe at the simplicity of just observing the snowflakes gracefully landing. I studied the tree branches as they swayed to the howling wind. And from the window, the light created a vantage point… there she is… resolute, braving the elements of life, she withstood and weathered every storm. Could that be what it takes… to get in shape, to become successful, to be happy?