“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different….” ~ C.S. Lewis
Several weeks ago we took our youngest son, Chase, who’s a junior in high school, on his first college visit. He chose Arizona State, Phoenix Campus because they have a terrific Sports Journalism program and that’s his “thing”. As the second child, I’m trying desperately to use everything we learned with our older son, Cole, at Colorado State, to help make the process go as smooth as possible…hence the early visit. This time I’m reeeeaaalllyyyy on it!! If I had ten kids, maybe I’d be a gold star parent by the last one?? Alas, I only have two and they are stuck with me just trying to do my best!! Haha!!!
Anyway, because it seemed like he wouldn’t be going away to school for a long time, as we were preparing for the visit, I didn’t feel any of those pangs of sadness about “losing my baby”. That lasted until was until we arrived. As we walked the campus, sat through presentations and finally toured the dorm, I realized like a cold bucket of water being dumped on my head….this is happening and it will be here before I know it.
That’s the thing about time, in the moment it feels as if nothing is changing but when you look back, everything is different. We get so caught up in the time it takes to lose weight and see physical changes from healthy eating and added activity that we don’t realize our progress in the moment. Because of this lack of foresight, we get frustrated and stop doing the things that are often working. Or we try to add more rules and discipline, making it harder on ourselves. When in reality, if we just keep plugging along consistently making better choices than we used to, we will eventually get where we are trying to go and the journey will be relatively painless. The pain comes from trying to force change on our time table. We start to see results from new healthy habits and we want more, faster. It’s as if it’s never enough and this line of thinking brings frustration and disappointment with it, which often leads to giving up the behaviors that are so good for us. We forget that whether we are seeing instant weight loss from them or not, they are still beneficial. This isn’t a race and it’s not about making it as hard as possible on ourselves. If it takes a year for us to see the changes we would like to make, is that really so long? At first we think it’s a “long time” but isn’t that term relative? A long time compared to what? The older I get the more clear it becomes: Time Flies By.
It’s not about how fast we can get healthy, it’s about how long we can stay there. If it’s a lifestyle change as we all say it is, it never ends. In that case, let’s keep the journey moderate and steady. NOT all out, over the top, hard changes that bring fast results but can’t be sustained. Let’s set new, realistic expectations, realizing that no matter how we choose to think about the situation or behave, the time is going to pass anyway. It’s up to us to decide if we are going to enjoy the process or make it miserable and ultimately keep ourselves from reaching the changes we seek. Slow and steady not only wins the race, it makes the journey enjoyable and isn’t that why we want to be healthy in the first place?? To enjoy the journey of life to it’s fullest, right?
Hope you’re all having a fabulous week and enjoying the sunshine those of us in Northern Illinois have waited so patiently to see again! If you live in a sunny place all year around, please message me so I can plan a trip to visit you next winter!!
All is well❤️
Terra
I know i haven’t been able to get too a meeting but your words mean so much like this one hit home big time! Big surgery in june then I’ll be able to return can’t wait to see everyone again luv ya
So happy to hear from you! We miss you on Thursday nights!! I’ll keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery from your surgery. Let me know if I can do anything to help you
You really got to me just when I needed it most. A huge thank you!.
You’re sooo welcome! Glad the timing was right! Thanks for the comment☺️ Happy to hear from you!
It’s not about how fast we can get healthy… but how long we can STAY THERE…
That’s the best quote of 2018! I am going to try to remember that ONE HUNDRED TIMES A DAY…. Thanks, partner!
❤️We can do it!
Great article Terra. So true on many of the comments. Take care and enjoy the spring weather.
Thanks, Lynne!! You too!!
Hard to believe your baby is almost college bound! It sure goes fast but you have another great place to visit! Ahhh to be young again!
Thank you for your always uplifting words Terra! Great words to live by and sooo true! Thank you!
I know :-(( WA! When did that happen?? Haha! Great to hear from you❤️
Aww, how wonderful, congratulations, time goes by to fast, I remember when I had my boys, now my oldest son is a daddy,, enjoy every minute with them , cheers to all!!
Thanks, Kathy!
Great truths, Terra! “It’s not about how fast we can get healthy… but how long we can STAY THERE”. Can I just tatoo that on something to see it daily?!? Such truth! Thanks for helping me see it. Cheers!
I need to do the same! Cheers to you as well!!
You are the best, so uplifting to help us understand the struggles within us! Thanks for your words…it has certainly helped me rethink the plan and ease up on the guilt!
Awe! Thank you for taking the time to comment, April! We are in this together and we have to remind each other We.Are.Enough! All is well!