Decisions & Detours

Time is flying by and the month of discipline has come to an end.  I did okay but not good enough to move on.  I am keeping the goals of practicing piano at least 2.5 hours and cleaning up my diet.  I am starting to think that a month for a set of goals is one month too short.  It has been akin to me doing Zumba...just when I start to get the hang of it...it changes.

I have also decided to put my violin savings and lessons on hold until I am further along into my piano lessons.  Instead, I am in search of my inner Nemo.  I have taken the money I was saving for the violin and purchased a new Speedo; probably the nicest swimsuit I have ever owned.  I spent an entire evening perusing Amazon.com.  I looked at hundreds of suits and even took the time to read the reviews. I have owned my current suit for longer than I have known my husband I think. My new suit arrived yesterday and surprisingly, I love it.

I used the remaining money to sign myself up to begin Stroke Development mid April.  Yes, I can swim; after all I was raised in the land of 10,000 lakes. I realize though that I have a lot of room for form improvement.  I can't stand chlorine but I know the benefits are endless.  I have been told that it will make me a better runner, I have also been told that it is the most efficient way to exercise because it hits all of the muscles at once.  I am hoping to love it enough to continue on to take Fitness Development and to eventually swim laps with my hubby.  Suz, (my beloved running partner) thinks this has tri written all over it. Well I guess we will see about that.

Last week I started coaching the preseason of Moms on the Run and I am enjoying it immensely.  I had a super special request though which came from my hubby.  After two years of listening to me talk about running, he has asked me to train him.  I am acting nonchalant about it but I am SO excited.  My husband and running...definitely two of my favorite things.

Okay, now onto my new goals list. April is my month of kindness:

• Leave a love note, write a thank you, send a card or do a random act of kindness everyday
• Speak only positive, kind words
• Be thoughtful
• Continue to work on goals from last month (practice piano at least 2.5 hours per week & clean up my diet)
• Begin the search for my inner Nemo (or at least my inner Dory)

Here is to purposely taking the long road sometimes and enjoying the journey.

Namaste

Although I made progress in February, a success it was not.  I am surprised at how quick it went by and yet glad to see it behind me.

January and February have always been a challenge for this optimist. Yes, I use a happy light and yes, I double my vitamin D but wow the heaviness I feel.  I love this beautiful state that I live in but the winter is about three months too long.  Too many Monday morning storms (aren't Mondays challenging enough), too many days of having to run indoors, too many layers and not enough sun. 

What I wanted to focus on in February (instead of my goals) was crawling into bed and staying there until spring.  However, I did manage to improve my focus and response, albeit slightly, but still some forward progress was made. I did only blog once last month but only 28 days? Where is the rest of the month?  I protest.

Happily moving into March, my month of discipline. My goals:

• To practice piano 2.5 hours per week (however I can fit it in my schedule)
• To make meals colorful with more fruits and veggies, decrease processed food and try to eliminate most white

I very much enjoy playing my piano but I find it similar to writing. I just need to get my butt in the chair . Once I get started, I am joyful and time passes quickly. If I am tired or down, playing piano always lifts me up; so I am choosing to do more of it.

I chose the latter goal because another thing that happens to me at the end of winter is that I feel hungry...a lot.  My clothes are a little snug, I crave comfort foods.  Most of you know that I am a vegetarian.  I pride myself in being well educated in nutrition.  I know that the main entree for a vegetarian is vegetables, not pasta or things that come out of a box.  I know the healthiest meals are the most colorful ones; full of a veggies, a little fruit and legumes with some grains or nuts tossed in. With spring right around the corner, it is time to get my food choices back in line.

I find it is easier to make good choices when I ask myself what nutritional value a specific food is going to bring to my body before I put it in my mouth.  Sometimes the answer to that is zero.  It is fairly easy not to eat things that will not be of any value whatsoever to my body. 

I will continue to work on mindfulness as well.

It is because of  love, joyful friendships and movement that these are the days. 

The light in me honors the light in you. 

Bring on the light.