175.2 lbs. Whatever.
Exercise-wise, it was a good day: Hour and a half on the
elliptical and an hour of Pilates that really worked the core. Dawn broke for
me a couple of weeks ago: when in the plank position (Top of a push-up; same
for yoga or Pilates), tighten up/engage/clench those abdominal muscles. Not
only does it make the position easier, but it works the friggin’ things and God
knows mine need the work. Still can’t fasten the size 11 Levis 501 straight
legs, but I’m getting closer every day. And if I suck in my gut (and with all
the core muscle work, that’s getting deeper and deeper), I can see where the
transverse abdominus goes. The oblique muscles aren’t quite as cooperative, but
I’m not giving them a choice. Russell Simmons said, “Work is the prayer.” Well,
to get a better body, I’m praying as hard as my body will take it.
Speaking of keeping on keeping on…
I subscribe to the Abraham-Hicks Quote of the Day. Esther
Hicks channels a non-physical collective that calls itself Abraham and it
offers advice on creative visualization and remaining positive (which, yes, we
know is a coping mechanism, but so far, it’s working a lot better for me than
any other one I’ve tried). I will share
today’s in a minute.
I had a long conversation with a friend today who was
feeling nervous and scared about the future. We live in challenging times here
in America. We’ve had to learn to take nothing for granted (September 11, 2001,
thousands of people died just because they showed up for work), that job
security is no longer a given and that the ones we can best rely on are ourselves
because Congress is too busy trying to outmaneuver each other to get anything
done for us (Lobbyists and big contributors: different story). As human beings,
we have a tendency to look towards the dark side when looking into the future
(except for “Star Trek” and “The Jetsons”).
Part of re-training people away from depending on
drugs/alcohol/excessive food intake as coping mechanisms is the following:
H.A.L.T. as in “Don’t let yourself get
too Hungry Angry Lonely or Tired.” There is a bio-chemical response to being
too hungry or too tired that will make you sad, depressed and fearful. Angry, you’ll
give yourself zits and an ulcer. When you feel physically lousy, your emotions
will get dragged down, too and vice versa.
Lonely, well, I’m trying to come to grips with the notion of being found
repulsive by men (and no, women are not an alternative) while, when I finally
get into the shape I’ve wanted all my life, the world ends (Lousy Mayans).
It’s a scary damned world out there. But I sayeth unto you “Fear
not.” (And if anyone thinks I’m blasphemous, oh, well. I’m not holding myself
out as the Messiah).
The quote from Abraham:
“When you play the What-If? game, look for things that make
you feel better. There is never a situation in
which there is not a way out—but, out of habit, most people continue to
choose the "lack" perspective
until they eventually find themselves where it seems that there are no more
choices. But as you hold to your intention to look for evidence of Well-Being and thriving and
success and happiness, you will tune
yourself to the vibrations of those things—and so those kinds of
good-feeling experiences will dominate
your life.”
Gratitude is a good starting point for healthy coping.
Tomorrow, the weather in L.A. is supposed to be L.A. winter lousy: chilly and
rainy and gray (better than New England’s booger freezing -20 that I remember
so well).
-
If you have a good roof over your head and you
are warm (or whatever temperature you like) and dry, be thankful.
-
If you have food in your shelter (or the means
to get food), be thankful.
-
If you are adequately clothed, give thanks.
According to the Maslow Hierarchy, your most basic
physiological needs are met. You have a baseline.
-
If you have a functioning brain, you have an
irreplaceable, invaluable tool. Always remember that.
-
If you have all of your limbs, they function and
obey commands from your brain, you have even more tools.
-
If you have a friend/lover/trusted colleague
with whom you can share ANYTHING and not be judged or, even better, they’ll
help you figure out a solution to a problem, that’s another great tool.
-
(No disrespect to the atheist community intended)
Faith can be a great source of strength. This is not limited to organized
religion; faith in oneself is crucial to moving forward through life – to quote
a successful Presidential campaign “Yes, We Can.” If you have to chant that or
write it out in a notebook 100 times like Bart Simpson on the blackboard. (Fourth
grade, I spent all of my recesses writing out crap on the board 100 times each
because of a cranky old teacher who should have retired 500 years before she
hit me for not being able to see the blackboard. She also liked to appoint the
class snitches as room monitors. They didn’t like me, either. Fourth grade was
miserable), do it. “Tell yourself enough
times until you believe it.” Yeah, do that.
Here’s the thing: if, in this moment, you’re okay, that’s
enough. Got food, clothing and shelter? Okay. You’re good. Don’t look even 5
minutes into the future; right now, you’re all set. Did your team win the big
game (Suck it, Ravens)? Be happy and grateful.
Poop happens (I’ve been gently chided for using rough
language). You can either let it destroy you or figure out how to get past it.
Sometimes, it’s piled up so high, you don’t think you can see past it, but
there is always something beyond it. And don’t go looking for the poop because
you will find it. Why? Because you are looking for it.
I am attaching a link to a video (which I’ve probably done
before. So what. It’s a good video) that may give you some comfort (if you’re
distressed). I know the great people behind it. It speaks the truth:
We all go on.
E hugs and Reiki.
