Outsmarting our demons

[Image credit: frederico stevanin]

On average, I spend close to six hours at the gym per week.  Add to that another couple of hours pursuing other physical activity, like walking, hiking and swimming (learning to dance is still a goal for 2012).  My reasons are simple: strengthen my bones, keep in shape, maintain my sanity and fight this aging thing (kicking and screaming the whole way).  Over the past few weeks, however, each time I’ve slipped on my tennis shoes or weight gloves, I’ve been attempting to outrun, out row, out spin, out lift and out step my demons.  You know the ones.  The should’ves, would’ves, could’ves that haunt during waking hours; the doubts or regrets we take to bed each night.  That’s because no matter how hard we try to outmaneuver them, they’ll hang on until we fight back.  And just like we need to identify and address our “ickies,” we must outsmart our demons — no matter what it takes.

Do you have a demon or two that require outsmarting?

Great expectations

[Image credit: Stuart Miles]

My oldest sister recently told me I’m too hard on myself.  Although her observation came as no surprise, it forced me to take a closer look at another of my “ickies.”  She was referring to my self-imposed expectations, which no one can possibly live up to (including myself) and, unfortunately, tend to ooze onto whoever is closest to me at the time.  I think the remedy to this, however, may be attempting to live out the words I read posted on Facebook the other day:

Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think,
not wonder, not imagine, not obsess, just breathe,
and have faith that everything will work out for the best.
~ Anonymous

The meaning of this quote removes a lot of pressure for me,  and might just signify a new beginning.  Because with that advice, maybe I can finally learn to live in the moment — Today — knowing Someday is already covered.

Are you overextended when it comes to expectations for yourself and others?

Regaining your balance

[Image credit: ponsuwan]

It can be a rude awakening when the rug is suddenly pulled out from under you.  It can shatter that vulnerable part of you, the side of you who lives transparently and trusts fully.  You may be left with shattered hopes and dreams, as well as feelings of stupidity, betrayal, confusion or worse.  Perhaps the hardest thing isn’t the brokenness, but that you’re forced to take a good hard look at yourself.  And you may conduct an honest assessment of your entire belief system and discover you don’t like what you see.  There may be skeletons lurking under the surface called selfishness or greed.  However, instead of dealing with them, you might be tempted to stuff them into the back of your closet and ignore them.  Of course, overlooking these “ickies” will not make them go away.  But once you address them, you can right yourself and begin to regain your balance.

How do you regain your balance when the rug is pulled out from under you?