I RESOLVE TO . . .

Daily Exercise - Day 181

Happy to say that it was sunny and hot in D.C.!   Yes, some would say I'm a glutton for punishment - but I'd much rather have hot sunny weather than cold and snow.  I'm a Spring/Summer person for sure.  I ran around D.C. today both for meetings/errands, and to shoot more photos for my TourPath project.  Definitely got my exercise as I walked more than 2-miles in the heat.  Tomorrow back in the pool for laps!  Until then . . .

Wiser . . .

"We are wiser than we know."

Ralph Waldo Emerson - American poet, lecturer and essayist (1803-1882)

Daily Exercise - Day 180

Busy day, but back in the pool this evening!  Yep, on track with 40-minutes of laps - keeps me sane.  And the holiday weekend is just one day away, so really looking forward to some gardening, walking, my bike, Total Gym, and yes, laps!  Lots going on the coming week - and thankfully it's as much play, and creative projects (exercise and other projects like my resolution book and TourPath project) as it it work!  Until then . . .

Cure for Worrying . . .

"As a cure for worrying, work is better than whiskey."

Ralph Waldo Emerson - American poet, lecturer and essayist (1803-1882)

Daily Exercise - Day 179

Sun came out . . . Yeaaa!  Made a point to hit the pool and do 40-minutes of laps this morning before i headed out for errands and my event.  All went well.  Really looking forward to the long holiday weekend!  Until then . . .

Every Artist . . .

"Every artist was first an amateur."

Ralph Waldo Emerson - American poet, lecturer, essayist (1803-1882)

Resolutions - Day 178

New Years Day is just 188 days away, folks! Yep, we're almost at the halfway mark in the year.  So how is it going?  Still working on your dreams and resolutions?  Or did you abandon them long ago?  I'm not going to say:  'Shame on you!', if you did abandon your resolution a long time ago.  You probably already feel guilty enough about that;  I don't need to add to the guilt.

That said, achieving dreams isn't about guilt.  It's about making a decision to pursue that dream and sticking with the decision.  Yes, there are plenty of days that you won't have time or the determination to stick with it - but there's always tomorrow.  Always another opportunity to try again. Always remember, each day that you work toward your dream, your resolution is a small victory - and those small victories add up over time, like money collecting interest in the bank.

That lends itself to more and more confidence over time - and eventually you'll cross the finish line.  You'll achieve your dream.  Stop procrastinating!  Start today!  Five easy steps: 1)  Dare to Dream; 2) Decide;  3)  Define;  4) Develop a  plan, and; 5)  Do it daily.  Easy to understand, easy to implement.  Yes there will be rough days - days that you don't have time to devote, but those days alwasy pass, and you'll get back on track.

So . . . make that decision today.  Pursue your dream!  One resolution, one day at a time for one year!  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 178

Back in the pool today, yeeaaa! Yes, it did rain non-stop all day today (again), but that didn't stop me from getting into the pool and doing 40-minutes of laps. Yesterday, I waited out the rain, and never made it into the pool - today I decided to just do my laps rain or no rain.  Smart decision, I feel great, and I'm going to hit the pool again, tomorrow, in the morning. 

I'm planning to step up my exercise routine in the next five weeks - more rigorous, and time permitting, I want to extend my work outs to 60-90 minutes.  See how it goes.  Back on the bike, Total Gym, Yoga, stretching, walking, and yes, swimming laps.  Lot's to look forward to!  Maybe the sun will come out in the next few days - that would be great!  Until then . . .

A Decision . . .

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."

                    Ralph Waldo Emerson

Resolutions - Day 177

A nice break!  Sometimes taking a nice break is just what you need to re-charge the batteries (work, personal, creative batteries).  In this case, I decided I needed a long-weekend 'kind of break' - I headed to New York to get out of my element, away from my home and work chores, and into a whole host of new sights, sounds, smells, people events . . .

Yes, I did a huge amount of walking.  I spent some time with my creative projects (especially on the train ride to and from New York).  I took in a musical: The Drowsy Chaperone.  I took in a movie.  I spend time with good friends, had great food and drink.  It was a wonderful weekend.  So much to  do, so little time!  So, even though today I'm back at work, crashing on projects, I feel good.  I have a lot to do this summer with my business, my resolution book, my TourPath project, exercise, gardening, and on and on - it's all good. 

And it gives me greater energy to move forward my goals and resolutions.  Success breeds success, as the old saying goes - and along that vein, positive energy, and a positive attitudude does the same.  So . . . pull that dream, that resolution out of the mothballs - stop procrastinating.  Today is the day!  One resolution, one day at a time for one year.  You'll feel much better if you give in to your desire to pursue that dream!  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 177

Alas, no work out today.  Just some stretching before bed.  Back to work and with events and a busy week, I'm going to really scramble to do my work outs.  Tomorrow, goal is to hit the pool for 45-minutes of laps.  Something to look forward to! :)  Until then . . .

To Be Yourself . . .

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

                 Ralph Waldo Emerson - American Poet, Lecturer, Essayist (1803-1882)

Daily Exercise - Day 176

Three days of walking in New York can work wonders on the soul!  I needed a break, a 'get away' from my daily routine and received it this weekend.  Wonderful sights, sounds, good time spent with friends - and 'yes' a lot of walking.  What a wonderful change of pace. And 'yes' I'm ready to head home.  Love my time spent away, but love returning just as much.  Looking forward to getting back to laps in teh pool - and my garden and yard is most certainly 'growing like crazy' with all this rain.  Lots of yard work to do in coming days.  So much to look forward to!  Until then . . .

Your Heart . . .

"To hide your heart is to risk forgetting where you placed it."

Timothy Childers

Daily Exercise - Day 175

Wonderful New York!  Since my favorite activity in New York is 'walking'  I'm making the most of it this weekend:  two to three miles each day.  I love savoring the sights, sounds, smells, the people, the energy.  It's a wonderful place.  I come here this weekend to re-charge my creative batteries.  Thus I walk!  I feel like my cup is filling already - from half full to three quarters!   Back to laps in the pool this coming week (after the rains).  Until then . . .  

To Blossom . . .

"And the day  came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Anais Nin - French-born American Author of Novels and Short Stories (1903-1977)

Daily Exercise - Day 174

Loong train ride today from Fredericksburg to New York because of track problems.  So, I was more than ready to hit the pavement for a nice long walk to my hotel, and I'm going to get off here and do a little more walking this evening.  Then the marathon walking sessions tomorrow and Sunday - love to do lots of walking in New York!  Until then . . .

Good Luck . . .

"The only good lucn many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck."

Channing Pollock

Daily Exercise - Day 173

Really pressed for time, but I made a point to hop in the pool for 30-minutes of laps tonight.  As always it was worth it - I feel great (not tired anymore, though I still have a lot to do before I head out of town tomorrow, so not going to get much sleep tonight).  I'm stepping up my exercise regimen starting next week since work should even out just a bit - I'm going to try to hit the pool, bike and Total Gym every day or a mix thereof, to include walking.  I'm determined to improve my muscle tone, and endurance.  Time's 'a wasting' so I start next week!  Until then . . .

The Possible . . .

"The difference between the imossible and the possible lies in a man's determination."

Tommy Lasorda - American Baseball Player and Coach - born 1927

Daily Exercise - Day 172

Aahhhh.  Hot, lazy summer days.  One of those days when you want to stay inside in the air conditioning (which I did to get my work done); and you also want to hit the pool!  I did that too this evening and it was wonderful.  Did my 40-minutes of laps and a little meditation, so I feel good!  Tomorrow, I hope to make it back into the pool in the evening time permitting.  Until then . . .

Determination . . .

"Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the rights things happen."

Horace Mann - U.S. educator, the first great American advocate of public education (1796-1859)

Daily Exercise - Day 171

Crazy, busy, running kind of day! So, yes, while I was running between appointments and events today, I did put in a mile or more of brisk walking.  Alas, no pool time for me tonight, got home too late, and I want to hit the sheets early tonight.  Tomorrow, however, will do 30/45-minutes of laps - and I'm really looking forward to walking around New York this weekend.  That's always a wonderful work out!  Until then . . .

Determination . . .

"The truest wisdom is resolute determination."

Napoleon Bonaparte - French General, Politician & Emperor

Daily Exercise - Day 170

Crazy busy day today, so unfortunately no exercise for me :(.  But tomorrow is a new day, and I plan to do a lot of walking in D.C. between appointments, and will hit the pool for laps when I get home.  So, though I was OBE today, tomorrow will be a different story.  Until then . . .

Success . . .

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be."

George Sheehan - American physician, author and running enthusiast (1918-1993)

Daily Exercise - Day 169

Another gorgeous day - sunny and hot!  Started off the day right, relaxing with my newspapers by the pool - and soon ended up 'in' the pool to do my laps, 45-minutes today.  That was it for relaxing.  The rest of the day was busy for a Sunday - filled with a lot of work and personal chores.  The good news is that I got a lot done.  The not so good news, tomorrow is Monday, another work week.  Where do the weekends go?  Time just flies. Work or no work, tomorrow I do intend to get back in the pool for 30-40 minutes of laps.  Until then . . .

Determination . . .

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."

                 George Lorimer - American Editor & Writer (1867-1937)

Resolutions - Day 168

Guess how many days until New Year's Day 2007?  That's probably the last thing on your mind right now, huh? :)   Well, the answer is 198 days until New Year's Day 2007.  Which means, you still have nearly 200 days left in this calendar year to work toward your dream, your resolution, your heartfelt goal.  Time passes so quickly.  I'm always amazed how quickly time passes . . . don't let another minute pass if you've been putting off that dream.

I know you don't want to look at the calendard in 2009 and say "where has the time gone?   Then the questions multiply.  Why didn't I pursue my dream to write my novel.  Or why didn't I pursue my dream to go back to school?  Or why didn't I pursue my dream to run a marathon?  Or why didn't I pursue my dream to: _______________.  Why?

Personally, I don't believe in the 'coulda, shoulda, woulda' philosophy of life.  I really believe at some point you have to take ownership of your dream, make a commitment to pursue it actively on a daily basis, and 'just do it'!  If you do, you'll feel a huge sense of relief, believe me.  That dream, that goal, that resolution has been nagging at you for a long time.  I know how that goes.  So, stop procrastinating.  Stop putting it off.  Stop!  Start something new.  Make a decision today to pursue your dream, your resolution . . .

One resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 168

A great Saturday!  Sunny, hot, not a cloud in the sky.  I spent most of the day outside, which is always my preferred mode during the summer.  Mowed the yard, but put off yard work for another day, so that I could veg by the pool with my newspapers.  Yes, I did do my 30-minutes of laps, and intend to get back in the pool for another thirty tomorrow!  May get on my Total Gym as well.  Tomorrow is going to be a busy day - have a lot of personal, creative, work, home projects to do - so I'll just putter my way through the day, and try to get as much done as I can (and maybe relax for a bit too!).  Until then . . .

Never . . .

"Failure will never ovetake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough."

                Og Mandino - American Essayist & Psychologist (1923-1996)

Resolutions - Day 167

Yep, that wonderful day of the week - Friday! I decided to take the night off, no exercise, just relaxing and maybe hitting my newspaper pile.  Looks like it's going to be sunny and hot both Saturday and Sunday, which is just fine with me.  I love these summer days.  Tomorrow, I'll hit the pool before a full day of gardening.  Lots to look forward to this weekend!  Until then . . .

Little By Little . . .

"Little by little, one walks far."

               Peruvian Quote

Resolutions - Day 166

My posts have been somewhat thin of late, mostly due to the crush of activity around work and creative projects.  Work is hyper-busy this month, and I took on a new creative project (yes, I know -  as if I need one more thing to do!).  But sometimes oportunities drop from the sky - serendipity - and you just have to follow your heart.  I've always been good at that.  Yes, I'm a dreamer - dreams big and small.  Yes, I do trust my instincts (something a dreamer would do).  Yes, now and then I throw caution to the wind.  It certainly oes make life interesting - but at the end of the day, I do end up achieving my dreams . . . one small step at at a time.

Yes, I'm working on my resolution to work out for 30-minutes each day (laps today) and on my book on 'how to' achieve New Year resolutions.  So things are moving along, slowly, gradually - but they're moving along. 

How are things going for you, your resolutios and your dreams?  Are you working diligently on them, or have they been relegated to the back seat where they're nice and cozy, far from sight.  Far enough from sight not to work on them everyday, but not far enough to remind you that you have a heartfelt dream that you're not pursuing - but one that you want to pursue!

Stop procrastinating.  Whatever it is that you truly want to achieve - start today - take that one small step, followed by another small step, and another one . . . and onward.  One resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006! :)

Daily Exercise - Day 166

Gorgeous, sunny Thursday!  Spent a little time outside this afternoon in between work projects.  Tonight I made a point to take time away from the computer and work to spend an hour in the pool - 30-minutes swmming laps.  Always clears the head and wipes away the stresses of the day.  That's why I do it.  Makes me feel great.  Tomorrow, back in the pool for another thirty!  Until then . . .

While I Breath . . .

"Dum, spiro, spero (Latin).  'While I breath, I hope'."

                    Latin Proverb

Daily Exercise - Day 165

Crazy kind of day running around D.C. for both work and creative projects.  I shed my suit mid-afternoon, so I could wander around D.C. to shoot photos for my Tourpath project.  Definitely got lots of exercise - a couple of miles - and a lot of creative inspiration.  I love walking and shooting.  I always find my 'zone' when I'm walking the streets, working on my photography, and it feels great.  Ranks right up there with swimming laps, which I will do tomorrow!  Until then . . .

Hope Is . . .

"Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark."
   
                   George Isles

Daily Resolutions - Day 164

Spent a little time outside this afternoon and this evening, but alas, not enough time to do a good workout.  That's going to have to wait until later this week, when I have a little more time.  Tomorrow I should put in a good bit of walking during a shoot in D.C. - back in the pool on Thursday.  Something to look forward to.  Until then . . .

Hope . . .

"When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God."

                    Charles L. Allen