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The other day I had lunch with a friend who has overcome some major health issues (cancer, surgery, etc.) and is working hard to make her body strong again. She's always been fit (she has been training in aerial silk for decades and can still do it now in her early fifties despite the recent setbacks) so I tend to feel a bit frumpy around her, but she's also always been humble and encouraging whenever I've shared about my own health and fitness goals. So when we met up, the conversation inevitably turned in that direction. She agreed that it will take me a while to see the results of cleaning up my diet and moving more, but she urged me to be patient and persistent and promised to cheer me on and offer guidance whenever I need some.
Our conversation echoed something I'd read on Facebook a few days earlier. David Jones, one of my editors, wrote this and gave me permission to share it with you:
I was at Target tonight. Every “new year, new you” item you can think of was on sale—vitamins, protein, workout clothes, exercise equipment, etc. I also went to Goodwill today. Their book section was loaded with last year’s popular diet and exercise books.
From stores to informercials to Facebook, a lot will be thrown at you this month regarding getting skinny, getting fit, looking hot, etc. Some of the info is good. But a lot of it is just noise. We’ve been on this earth a while, and we’ve yet to discover that “get-fit-quick” magic weight loss pill, no matter what some will try to tell you.
Slow, steady, and consistent is still the way to go. You won’t see results overnight, but put a bunch of those nights together and you’ll be amazed at what will happen. Whether you’re just starting or in the middle of the journey, keep going, keep pressing, keep working hard. Your hard work will pay off and you’ll be better in the long run by saying no to shortcuts.
Perhaps your goals for 2023 don't involve physical fitness. Maybe you need to pay off a debt or finish a project. Maybe you need to break an old habit or learn a new skill. Whatever it is, give yourself grace if you don't see overnight results.
You wouldn't tell a caterpillar to hurry up and turn into a butterfly.
You wouldn't tell an acorn to hurry up and become an oak tree.
Some of us might try to tell winter to hurry up and become summer, but we know that's futile. :)
Don't waste time and money on "shortcuts" that will only cost you time and money in the long run. Things always turn out better when they're given a chance to bloom and grow naturally . . . and so will you.
One last thing . . . Just before I hit "send" on this issue this morning, I spotted this on Jake Weidmann's Facebook page: Practice makes — progress. Remember that someone’s overnight success is a decade (or more) in the making, and my story is no different. While I share [behind the scenes] on many of my works here, 99% of the process and practice is unseen. Even (and especially) as a Master Penman, I practice my craft endlessly. It’s worth saying again: I’ve only progressed thus far because I’ve rehearsed the strokes of past Masters.
Yes! Have a wonderful Monday!
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