I had a conversation last week at my weight watchers meeting about the "instant gratification" world we live in. Cell phones, instant messaging, email, fast food, the internet; it's all instant. It makes us believe that everything should come that fast, that easy. And the truth is, the hard things take much longer.
Think about learning to play a musical instrument, getting through school (at any level), or even having a baby. None of those things happen fast; they take study/practice/patience. And the point my WW leader was trying to make is - you didn't suddenly become overweight yesterday, it took years to get that way, shouldn't taking the weight off take some time as well?
So all of that got me thinking about this countdown thing I do. I used to put something on my calendar page and then start counting the days until it arrived. Now I even have a special program that will tell me down to the second how much time is left until any event/date/time that I tell it. And to some it may seem as though I'm 'wishing my life away' by always looking to the next event, then the next one, etc.
For me, watching time pass as I wait ever so impatiently for things like my next trip (7 days 5 hours 44 minutes), spring break (41 days 1 hour 28 minutes), and GRADUATION (98 days 39 minutes)- provides me with a mindset that good things are worth waiting for, that each day brings me closer to a goal, and that there are things worth the wait/the work/the effort.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Significant Events
The week is young and already I've had two significant events! First, I formally and officially applied for graduation yesterday! Now I've got to order cap and gown, announcements, etc. I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!
And today - classes start for my very last semester as an undergraduate. Which means the weekly countdown can begin. And as of today, there are 17 weeks left (one of which is spring break!).
So wish me luck in my last two classes!
And today - classes start for my very last semester as an undergraduate. Which means the weekly countdown can begin. And as of today, there are 17 weeks left (one of which is spring break!).
So wish me luck in my last two classes!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
New Year, New Me
Happy New Year everyone!
I vowed that I would not, COULD NOT make yet another New Years' Resolution that is destined to failure. So I started making changes before the new year, and what I have now are New Years' intentions!
#1) I started Weight Watchers meetings the 16th of December and I intend to stick with it - it's the only thing that truly worked in the past and I just didn't keep going. It must be working though because I lost weight even over the holidays, more than 5 lbs!
#2) I intend to say no when I've got too much on my plate and someone wants me to take on just one more thing. Too often I say yes because I want to help, and I end up frazzled and sometimes sick because I wear myself out.
#3) I intend to finish school in 119 days, participate in the graduation ceremony, proudly display the diploma it took me almost 20 years to finish, and not think about any more school for at least a year so some fun things and projects that I keep saying I will do "after graduation" actually get done "after graduation"!
#4) I intend to be flexible with my intentions, to realize that I don't have control of everything and sometimes plans need to change in response to the environment.
That's it for this year so far (see - I can be flexible). If things go well, I may add more intentions mid-year. I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!
I vowed that I would not, COULD NOT make yet another New Years' Resolution that is destined to failure. So I started making changes before the new year, and what I have now are New Years' intentions!
#1) I started Weight Watchers meetings the 16th of December and I intend to stick with it - it's the only thing that truly worked in the past and I just didn't keep going. It must be working though because I lost weight even over the holidays, more than 5 lbs!
#2) I intend to say no when I've got too much on my plate and someone wants me to take on just one more thing. Too often I say yes because I want to help, and I end up frazzled and sometimes sick because I wear myself out.
#3) I intend to finish school in 119 days, participate in the graduation ceremony, proudly display the diploma it took me almost 20 years to finish, and not think about any more school for at least a year so some fun things and projects that I keep saying I will do "after graduation" actually get done "after graduation"!
#4) I intend to be flexible with my intentions, to realize that I don't have control of everything and sometimes plans need to change in response to the environment.
That's it for this year so far (see - I can be flexible). If things go well, I may add more intentions mid-year. I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
