Today is December 19th. It’s Friday.
5:00 AM, my alarm goes off. I get up, stretch, drink some water, and get right into my workout. Today is day four of week three, full body: squats, push-ups, rows, deadlifts, leg raises. Four rounds, minimal rest. Let’s go.
Round after round, I’m crushing it. Sweating like crazy. Feeling stronger by the week, and my body’s reflecting the same. Not only do I feel stronger, I look stronger. My muscles are bigger. My strength has increased. I look good.
I have accomplished a lot in this time. Three weeks. Three weeks I’ve been crushing these workouts, even though before that I was on a constant workout regimen. Not back in the gym yet, but come next month I will be. It’s amazing how much your body can change being consistent and just using what you have around you.
I wrap up, head for the shower. I prime, wash off, and I’m out.
Breakfast — you know my favorite — granola, flax seeds, chia seeds, half a banana, ice-cold soy milk. I sit down in quietness, say my grace, give thanks for all I have and all that’s coming. I eat with good thoughts. I finish up and I meditate. I continue to give thanks because I’m always thankful and I’m always grateful.
Checking my time, I see it’s time to get into my routine. I get dressed and do my familiars. I pack my lunch, get my bag ready, grab my jacket, and I’m out the door.
As I begin walking, it starts to sprinkle, just lightly. I didn’t grab my umbrella. Nearing the bus stop, I see that the time of arrival is 13 minutes. I figure I can walk to my connecting bus in that time, so I do. I get there and two minutes later the bus arrives.
I was headed for the right bus originally but thought that getting on the “R” version would somehow get me closer. I later found out I was wrong, and that’s okay. I know for next time; it’s just another lesson. In that walk, I came across some things I needed to see anyway.
I always think and always expect my detours are on purpose and somehow meant for me. So I don’t complain, I don’t get mad, I just go. And in my findings is just what I needed.
I still made good timing — 15 minutes early. I have time to sit and read over my affirmation flashcards. This is another piece of my morning ritual. My habits are becoming stronger, my rituals are better. I’m always focused in the morning and it helps me maintain focus throughout the day.
Setting the stage.
Work is pleasant. I make it quick, I am efficient, and I move on. I got to take care of some much-needed business even at lunch. I’m happy with the decisions I made — very happy, to be exact.
The night before, I created a schedule of all the things I’ll take care of today. Looking at that list at the end of my day, I’ve checked off every one. Another piece that I used to do all the time is scheduling my days. I’m going to get back into that because it’s a helpful piece. I believe when you write things down and you expect to complete them, you do.
Today was a good day. Today was a good day.
I did some networking also — some opportunity for me to earn some extra income. I am thankful.
Towards the end of my day, on my break actually, I took a stroll. Found a nearby store — you could say it was a thrift store. And one of the things I wrote down on a previous list was: I need a bag. I mean, I’ve been carrying around this Target bag — I mean, it’s reusable cotton but it’s just not ideal.
This bag was nice. It had multiple pockets, big compartments, shoulder strap. Along with that, I found some very interesting books — one on business, finance, one on writing and reading, and one on transformation.
I got to the counter. I asked the guy how much for the bag and the books. He said, “15 for the bag; I’ll give you the books free if you get the bag.” I told him I only had $14 cash. He said, “I’ll take it.” I said, “Thank you, and I’ll take these.”
So I got these great books and a bag for $14. I see that as a win.
I get back, transfer everything from my old bag to this bag after cleaning it up a little bit, and it’s just like new. It’s amazing sometimes how you will see things you need just when you need to, and they’ll be available to you. It’s like when you’re headed somewhere, people sense that or see that, and the world helps you. I’m thankful.
I get off work. It’s raining now, and I knew it was going to rain, but I didn’t grab my umbrella, and it’s okay. Usually, I would have been kind of pressed — you know, I would have thought, “Dammit, why didn’t I bring my umbrella?” But walking in the rain today actually felt good. It really felt good to walk in the rain.
Never have I really just enjoyed, but now I do. I take my time and see all the small things and enjoy them. All the delayed gratification, all the days of not getting that thing or buying that thing because I was focused on something else.
Discipline. Consistency. I can tell I have changed and I’ve overcome — I’ve overcome a lot.
I’m no longer a perfectionist, I’m no longer self-critical. I show compassion to myself. I love myself. I’m kinder to myself, I speak kind to myself. My self-talk is uplifting, positive, helpful, encouraging. I motivate and I make corrections on the fly.
I’m learning a lot about myself and I’m getting better. I really am. I’m getting better each and every day. I’m going to continue to do the work. Things are working out for me.
I have changed and I think — I think the world and the people around me, they see it too. Whenever I’m out or on the bus, I always get these stares of puzzlement, or I don’t know what you can call it. It doesn’t bother me. I just know that it must be something that they see too.
I have changed and I’m going to continue to do the work each and every day. I have decided. I am no longer a hearer but a doer.
I do. I will. I can.