Another alarm, 5:00am, December 9th. I’m up gently thanks to the sound of light rain. I stretch, bend, and squat already in gear. Affirmations are automatic. “I love myself,” I repeat.
I move on to my warm-up, bending, squatting, moving my body about. At 5:15 I’m primed and ready for pull day. I start off with some inverted rows, followed by single-arm rows, moving to stiff-leg deadlifts combined with shrugs. My finisher is bicep curls, 15 reps L/R, and round 1 is complete.
I lock in and take a minimal break, and jump into round 2. I’m working up a sweat now. I crush rounds 3 and 4, checked my logs, and grinned in the mirror at my satisfaction with my performance. “I knew you would kill it and you did.” Did I mention I talk to myself? I mean, we all do, or am I different?
At 5:50 am, I decide to get some core work in and wind down and lower my heart rate — 50 sit-ups, and I’m off to the shower. It’s something about a shower after you beat yourself up that I really like. I use my time here to prime my day. “Today will be a good day, a positive day. I expect it.” I remind myself, “I am proud of you, Garry, for pushing through in that last round and really digging deep for extra reps.”
No one sees this, but I know that all my building in silence, in the dark, is changing me — not only physically but mentally. “I love myself,” I smiled, as this one really boosts your mood. You can’t feel bad and say, “I love myself.” One will cancel the other; that’s law.
But anyway, I’m out and moving to my breakfast. I’m so glad I stuck my soy milk in the freezer right before hitting the shower; it’s perfectly cold. Bits of ice mingled as I poured it over my maple pecan granola. To it, I added pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds. I ended it with a half-chopped banana and a hint of cinnamon. “Delicious,” I say. I say grace, giving thanks for all I have and all that’s coming. Amen. I dig in.
3 minutes later, I’m going through my routines. I’m outside the house checking my routes. No heads-up, but a detour has taken me off the route. I don’t bicker. I’m prepared. That’s why I leave early. I quickly make some adjustments, pick up my pace, and before I know it, I’m at my destination.
Along the way, I dodged many snags. That’s all a part of life, but you have to keep moving and create alternate routes. With time to spare, I slip on my wireless headphones, load up Napoleon Hill, and soak in instructions and guidance because I’m a changed man.
I don’t watch much news. News is destructive for the most part, and that’s not what I want in my world. I listen to cheerful things, joyous sounds, look at pleasant pictures, and limit my talking to people who only express enthusiasm, happiness, positivity, understanding, and clarity. And for the most part, I usually find them when I need to.
My outlook on life has changed. My perspectives have changed. I no longer have limited beliefs. I know now that you really can do anything you plan and put your mind to. My world continues to change daily, and it’s not the people that changed…but me!
What’s one thing stopping you from doing that thing you know you should do? I believe in you and would love to hear from you.