My daughter's SO, father of Norah, and all around great guy, Drew is a personal trainer. He hates this time of year because every Tom Dick and Harry has been given a gift card for a workout session, or every Tom Dick And Harry has made a New Year's resolution to lose weight and look buff for the beach. So, in essence, he has to work harder for a few weeks until Tom Dick and Harry lose motivation and drop out.
Like I said in the last entry I see a value in making resolutions, New Year's day marks my 11th anniversary for smoking cessation. Except for a cigar now and again, I have not puffed one cigarette since that day. It's something I'm proud of and the impetus was born from a resolution. I believe people can change, but it starts from goal setting, a recognition of one's flaws and a desire to correct it.
One of my new joys is a blog by my friend Jeff Sutor called Bodine-DILLIGAF. I don't know if he wants me to discuss it here or not, but I would recommend all of you check it out: http://bodinedilligaf.blogspot.com/
If he doesn't want me to discuss his blog, why, then, D-I-L-L-I-G-A-F?
He talks about resolutions and how they are generally crap. He is right about that because we as individuals sometimes lack the will to continue with difficult assignments. He says all we have is "today" so why focus on tomorrow. He's right about that as well. We never have tomorrows, now do we. They are always like the song says, ..."a day away". But what we do have is the ability to prepare. One of my favorite mantras is "Preparation Is Everything". Before new Year's Day 11 years ago, I was prepared. I had seen my doctor and he gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin, which at that time was considered a successful way to stop smoking. I had a glass jar with old butts sitting in water, as a visual of what my lungs might look like. I had a memory of my pal Mike Johnson whose smoking had contributed to his early death, and I had a bank account that suffered under the weight of increasing price hikes for tobacco products. It worked. I used swizzle sticks as pacifiers and since that day I have sat back and watched as Holly, Marvin, Mark, Nancy and others have stopped the habit as well.
I believe as fervently as Scrooge that all it takes is an awakening to change ourselves into a new, improved version. With that, this is what I intend to accomplish this new year.
A. Paint more. I used to paint fairly often, and did it more for my pleasure than for any commercial recognition. I have set up a painting nook in the Lanai room and have replaced old tubes with new and have plenty of canvas. I hope to complete 12 - 15 paintings this year.
B. Lose weight. Yeah, yeah, but I mean it this time. My feet are getting farther away.
C. I hope to become less retired or less unemployed. I'm not quite ready for the rocking chair and I discovered bagging groceries was not my field. There's some out there that will give me a little pocket money and at the same time personal satisfaction.
D. It has been (in March) three years since Missy died. I have missed my old friend and she would want me to find another, so sometime this year I will have a new pooch.
E. Continue blogging. Perhaps the Monday through Friday will have to be revamped at some point, but until then, keep blogging on. One of the new features will be an occasional treatise on certain philosophical precepts. I studied this area in college and graduate school and I am rusty. In re-educating myself I hope to boil down different philosophies so that it is no longer the inaccessible. Hey, if I can understand it, you can too. You'll see.
So, go on over and read what is on Jeff's mind, and then sit down and come up with a couple of things to make you better for 2012. I wish us all joy, prosperity and health.
Like I said in the last entry I see a value in making resolutions, New Year's day marks my 11th anniversary for smoking cessation. Except for a cigar now and again, I have not puffed one cigarette since that day. It's something I'm proud of and the impetus was born from a resolution. I believe people can change, but it starts from goal setting, a recognition of one's flaws and a desire to correct it.
One of my new joys is a blog by my friend Jeff Sutor called Bodine-DILLIGAF. I don't know if he wants me to discuss it here or not, but I would recommend all of you check it out: http://bodinedilligaf.blogspot.com/
If he doesn't want me to discuss his blog, why, then, D-I-L-L-I-G-A-F?
He talks about resolutions and how they are generally crap. He is right about that because we as individuals sometimes lack the will to continue with difficult assignments. He says all we have is "today" so why focus on tomorrow. He's right about that as well. We never have tomorrows, now do we. They are always like the song says, ..."a day away". But what we do have is the ability to prepare. One of my favorite mantras is "Preparation Is Everything". Before new Year's Day 11 years ago, I was prepared. I had seen my doctor and he gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin, which at that time was considered a successful way to stop smoking. I had a glass jar with old butts sitting in water, as a visual of what my lungs might look like. I had a memory of my pal Mike Johnson whose smoking had contributed to his early death, and I had a bank account that suffered under the weight of increasing price hikes for tobacco products. It worked. I used swizzle sticks as pacifiers and since that day I have sat back and watched as Holly, Marvin, Mark, Nancy and others have stopped the habit as well.
I believe as fervently as Scrooge that all it takes is an awakening to change ourselves into a new, improved version. With that, this is what I intend to accomplish this new year.
A. Paint more. I used to paint fairly often, and did it more for my pleasure than for any commercial recognition. I have set up a painting nook in the Lanai room and have replaced old tubes with new and have plenty of canvas. I hope to complete 12 - 15 paintings this year.
B. Lose weight. Yeah, yeah, but I mean it this time. My feet are getting farther away.
C. I hope to become less retired or less unemployed. I'm not quite ready for the rocking chair and I discovered bagging groceries was not my field. There's some out there that will give me a little pocket money and at the same time personal satisfaction.
D. It has been (in March) three years since Missy died. I have missed my old friend and she would want me to find another, so sometime this year I will have a new pooch.
E. Continue blogging. Perhaps the Monday through Friday will have to be revamped at some point, but until then, keep blogging on. One of the new features will be an occasional treatise on certain philosophical precepts. I studied this area in college and graduate school and I am rusty. In re-educating myself I hope to boil down different philosophies so that it is no longer the inaccessible. Hey, if I can understand it, you can too. You'll see.
So, go on over and read what is on Jeff's mind, and then sit down and come up with a couple of things to make you better for 2012. I wish us all joy, prosperity and health.
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