Shock Therapy

In which we shall see: New Year's resolutions, Chinese New Year's resolutions, mental and physical health resolutions, career resolutions, and flying lessons

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You know how sometimes you're thinking about all kinds of different things, like brightly-colored balls rolling around in your head, and then they suddenly snap together under one common theme (or in this case, the right blog title)? Here they are...

Last year I made all kinds of fabulous New Year's Resolutions, which, if followed, would have resulted in a completely unrecognizable ME. None of the resolutions were accomplished, and very few of them stuck around more than a few weeks (I think the last had its death-throes around May.) This year, I was much more realistic, opting for simplicity and general positivity. These, on the whole, died even faster than last year.

(Though I am happy to report that I HAVE in fact flossed my teeth every day this year so far. It's well on it's way to becoming habit!)

Then, just a few weeks ago, I was struck with the realization that if anything was going to change, it had better start changing NOW (they weren't kidding when they said the metabolism would shift drastically at 34, and I think my backside gave up the fight as soon as I blew out the candles). I found that I was getting way too wrapped up in "romantic comedies" (kissing scenes in particular - no analyzing, please), to the point that my actual work was suffering, and I started formulating a plan. I watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" late Saturday night and cleared out my DVD shelf the following morning, packing all "romantic" movies in a box to store away for a month. (Plus side: I have more cool action movies, sci-fi, and drama flicks than I thought! And I can read all the titles now!) This is an experiment to see if I can focus more and procrastinate less without all that mental cotton candy sitting around - and hopefully, get away from the media perception of the perfect, "fairy-tale" romance. Hogwash, and all that...

That same day I got a text message from my youngest brother - 21, and home from his mission since June. He asked if I was coming to dinner with the family, and that I should "really consider" (dang, there are a lot of quotation marks in this post) attending. Naturally, my ears perked up and I started sniffing the air suspiciously... a quick check of his Facebook page (hey, we're friends) showed that he had "finally found a girl who understood him." I was deeply surprised at how emotional I got to think that my youngest brother - and honestly, more to the point, last single sibling - might be engaged. Now, it isn't like this was a new idea - not long after he got home I suggested that with my track record he was LIKELY to get married before I did! I'm the second of six children, and the other four are all married with kids of their own, so it's not like I'm not used to the concept. So there I was, surprised, crying, AND trying to put on makeup. (Tip: NOT a good idea to try to use a tissue and a mascara wand at the same time!) Anyway, when I finally pulled myself together I came to the conclusion that since it was looking less and less likely I'd be married anytime soon, and more and more likely that the other five siblings would, it was up to me to become famous instead. It's amazing how steadying that thought was!

Along with that thought came the conviction that it really IS time to change. So I boxed up the movies, made sure all the ice cream is gone, and started planning my application for a new job. I went to the gym last night (even with a headache - after a day of no chocolate AT ALL) and even when I couldn't get into the spin class I stayed and ran on the treadmill for nearly an hour. This morning I got up and went back to the gym, and I'm in Day Two of no chocolate (and almost no sugar). I got out this afternoon for a quick walk, and coming back I realized that with a little luck this "shock therapy" of exercise and better food, plus more sleep and less TV/movies might be just the thing to jolt my system and help me sustain some real life changes (and get me back into half my wardrobe).

The plan for fame is slowly coming around - I see now that I really want to DO something, to contribute and educate and affect other things. My strongest area right now seems to be theatre, so it's time for a re-commitment to becoming a dramaturg, and finding the way to do it. (For all that I get distracted remarkably easily, this is one idea that has stuck for quite a while. Must be something to it.) So I have this blog to work on writing and formulating skills, exercise and diet for physical help (I'm trying for a workout every day this week, just to see if it makes a difference - since I still HATE exercising! Gotta find a dance class or something!) and cutting out movies and fluffy books to work on my focus and follow-through. After that, the job and future classes are on the board... stay tuned for updates! (Also, I've got a blind date this Saturday - and if that's not motivating, NOTHING is.)

I'm (not) "gonna live forever", but I might just "learn how to fly..." Heck, why not?

(Oh, and my little brother isn't currently engaged; he actually got a new truck and wanted to show it off. Of course, he left the house to go visit the girl he's been dating for the past three weeks - a record - before I could see it and has since asked all of us - his siblings - to introduce ourselves to the young lady via email... Fame it is! And I gave up being a bridesmaid a loooong time ago!)

Watch out for falling turtles,

Cyd

Meaningful phone conversations I've had today: 0
Days I've gone without chocolate: 1.5
Days I've worked out this week: 2
Plays my schedule says I'll be seeing in the next two weeks: 4