I'm Melting, I'm Melting, Look At Me, I'm Melting or "Hold On, Let Me Pull Up My Pants"

"Throw back the shoulders, let the heart sing, let the eyes flash, let the mind be lifted up, look upward and say to yourself... Nothing is impossible!"
~ Norman Vincent Peale


I'm shrinking.

Slowly.

But surely.

I'm shrinking.

It's cool when hard work pays off. I noticed yesterday during rehearsal that my pants kept falling down. This is a good thing usually, but when you're trying to act and you still have a script in your hand, it can be a bit awkward trying to hitch up the old britches while you're moving from point to point on the stage. It's all good though, I'll take the inconvenience of pants slippage any day, as long as it means my lifestyle change is having an effect.

Other things I've noticed: I can now climb both flights of stairs at work without getting out of breath. This is a biggie. My energy level has increased, as has my endurance. If the rehearsals for this play had been going on a month ago, I probably wouldn't have been able to handle the physical aspect of rehearsing in a sauna and all of the different movements we're having to do.

I haven't gone back and weighed in because I don't really want to, and I don't feel it's necessary at this point. I know I'm moving in a positive direction, and that will suffice for the time being. My very short term goal is to be able to fit comfortably in my Lennie costume when we perform "Of Mice and Men" on September 10th. The last time I wore it was February of last year. I tried it on earlier this year and it was a bit snug. I have a feeling I'm going to make it. I've also noticed that my dress shirt for work is getting considerably more loose.

I haven't made it to the gym due to an insane rehearsal schedule, but we were able to rearrange rehearsals so that we're not busy every night during the week. This will allow me to get back into the gym starting tomorrow. I've been missing it, and I just can't seem to make myself get up at dark thirty in the morning. But my change in eating combined with the massive amount of movement and sheer sweat loss that happens during rehearsals have been an acceptable substitute. I actually sweat more in that building than I do in a Body Pump class. That being said, I look forward to being able to Pump it up again.

Well, that's pretty much it on my end for right now. Before I go however, I feel compelled to post the following poem. Most of you have probably read it, but it never hurts to read something like this again. It's my dad's favorite poem and I'm actually looking at a copy that he got for Christmas a few years ago. It's mounted on a wooden frame and it's written on yellow parchment that looks like it has been burned around the edges. I find inspiration in this on almost a daily basis. I hope you can too. I put my favorite part in bold.

Until next time, Dragon Slayers






Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.