Death and Taxes

The only to "fer sures" in life, right???  Well, as it is almost April, I figured I should address the whole taxation issue.  There are a few things in life that are much more positive and that I guarantee are "fer sures".
(a) exercise makes you feel good - seriously good.  Nothing makes you prouder of yourself than completing your first full teaser pilates exercise, legs off the ground and all.  A sense of awe at your own totally insanely strong body after completing a hard core, sweaty and groovin' ZUMBA class.  The amazing moment when you recognize that you surprised yourself.
(b) when you realize that you CAN do so much! And that these accomplishments cross over to all aspects of your life. You can call on the same personal strength when dealing with a crisis as you do when you push yourself beyond your expectations during a physical challenge.  You use the newfound confidence to take on and succeed at new challenges at home and work.  You reach the end of the road and instead of looking ahead and bemoaning how far there is to go, you look back and take pride in how far you have come.
(c) that you can make change happen.  Maybe it's small. Maybe you feel that it is insignificant. But when you choose to move and to strengthen your body, you feel each change and notice the huge difference it makes.  When you proudly jump just a little bit higher, lift a little bit more, run a little bit farther.... well, you notice that a little bit is really a whole lot.  So the next time you turn away because you don't feel your small contribution makes a difference?  Turn back and go for it - the smallest steps change lives!
Confidence. Accomplishment. Pride. Strength. Exhilaration. Joy. All "fer sures" when you live your life taking care of an amazing and wondrous person - you!  So, while death and taxes aren't going anywhere soon, let's join hands this April and spend less time worrying about those things we can't change, and instead celebrating all that we can.

Truly, anything is possible!

Time to check in on my goals for 2011 again.
Me time - not in the way I expected
3 bike tours with hubby - change of plans slightly
Time with family and friends - working on it
aspartame addiction - still rampant.
So a big, fat goose egg on the goal front for me. Not exactly a good role model for change and inspiring positive change in others.  But let me explain....
I have challenged myself to do something new this year. As much as I will enjoy tackling 160km with Sean in the Ride4UnitedWay, truly it is Sean's goal.  I will gladly trail along behind him, moaning about my sore butt and complaining strongly about the entire process, but I really don't think I am avidly excited about pursuing this as a fitness goal. I am relieved, actually, because this way when Sean beats me, I can reassure myself that I didn't train specifically for it anyway. :)
So, in my typical "bull in a china shop" way, I boldly declared my intention to try a sprint Triathlon. Until Sean (always the voice of reason!) mentioned that I don't run, and cannot swim. So he gently suggested that I rethink that as a goal for 2011, and maybe take some time to learn to swim this year in order to do it in the future.
So I have settled on a duathlon - 7km of running, 25km of cycling. Not worried about the cycling, but RUNNING?!?!?  seriously?? I haven't run since, well, my much more youthful days. I honestly run like a rhinocerous, clomping and snorting along, head down - barreling ahead madly. How on earth am I going to do this? I have spent the last week alternately talking myself out of this and pumping myself up.  So I thought I had better just run and see how it felt. You know, before I completely let the negative voices talk me out of this whole crazy idea.
And you know what? I have run 4 times this last week, culminating yesterday in completing 5km - a feat which I never thought possible. Ever. Seriously - I still can't believe it. It may not seem like a lot, but after nearly defeating myself before I even tried, it is incredible to be now confidently looking forward with great glee to a trial 5K trail run I have entered in a few weeks.   I will definitely have times in this process where I get discouraged, sore, frustrated and unmotivated, but I am determined and excited
So don't let yourself be defeated. If you want something, don't sell yourself short - you will always surprise yourself! For anything is possible. Even beating my aspartame addiction. Eventually. Right??

It's finally over

February - the month so ridiculous that we had to shorten it's duration to make it tolerable. Now I don't mean to be negative, but February was the blahest of the blah this year! If it wasn't for my amazing classes ( read - you all!) it would go down in Annie history as the officially most grey and bleckie. But  it's now  March and I am determined that even if it is grey and damp, my outlook will not match the weather!  I have booked a few days off of teaching to spend time with the family, March break is coming, lots of exciting stuff is happening! 
But, I confess, I have still not stopped drinking Diet Coke. I need rehab.
So, ladies and gentlemen, my point is this. Today is what matters. Yesterday is gone, and do-overs aren't possible. Let's not dwell in what was (or wasn't) or spend time stressing about what is to come.  Every moment we spend worrying about another day robs today of it's opportunity for happiness.  Give each day a chance. It is precious, beautiful and unique. Hmmm. Just like you.