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 Hi, I’m Hilary (aka Ms. Turtle) and I write Turtle Progress in order to share the pitfalls and insights I experience along my journey to lose 80 pounds, get my finances in order, and gain some sanity! [read more] |
It’s Never Too Late to Start OverEver since I lived in New York City and thumbed through the Village Voice regularly, I have been reading Rob Brezsny’s horoscope column. That’s just how it is! This week was one of my favorites: CANCER (June 21-July 22): In the Broadway play “Passing Strange,” the narrator Stew says, “You know how one morning you wake up as an adult and you realize your entire life is based on a decision you made as a teenager?” If that description applies to you, Cancerian, 2009 will be the best year ever to do something about it. In the coming months, you will have the power to correct errors or misjudgments you made way back when. You’ll be able to figure out how to start over in an area of your life that you’ve always assumed you were doomed to accept just the way it is. You may even find that you can, in a sense, change the past and reconfigure your memories. One of my favorite things about Free Will Astrology is how there is great food for thought in all the horoscopes, even the ones that aren’t for your specific sign (gasp!). (Although I do happen to be a July baby.) What do you think about this one? I can think of several actions I took or beliefs I internalized a decade ago that I eventually absorbed into my self-image and worldview and took as gospel. I can easily spout off more than one thing I figured I was doomed to accept, resigned to live with until the end. I thought I was fat when I weighed 125 lbs. I thought that people who lived on the dark side of life were more interesting and authentic. I thought I was doomed to be deeply and endlessly depressed and toxic to others. I thought that relocating would do more than change my life; it would miraculously change who I was. I thought that if someone I knew was successful, that diminished my own ability to shine. I thought, I thought, I thought. Here’s a bummer of a secret: I still grapple with some of these beliefs. I’m not “better.” BUT! Believing you can “start over” or reprogram yourself is a powerful tool for change. Here are some negative beliefs we may have held for years that we can take a second look at: I can’t change. I’ll always be unhealthy and/or overweight. I don’t deserve positive attention or love. Thin people have it better than I do and don’t have to try hard at life. Cooking for myself is too hard. If I work out I’ll definitely injure myself. There are so many “diets” out there; what’s the point of even trying to sift through all the bogus information? I’m sure that (unfortunately) many more items could be added to that litany. But now it’s time to reboot, people! A mistaken idea you had when you were younger no longer has to define or limit you. Kick that crap to the curb. And I will do the same. Holla! 9 comments to It’s Never Too Late to Start Over |
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This was just what I needed today – I’m in! I’m going out right now to kick some crap to the curb. Thanks for the post, Liz.
Believing really is a huge part of the equation! You’ve got to have confidence and faith in yourself. That’s great that you’ve got it!
I like the Tabula Rasa thing! My old computer crashed once, and I had to wipe the hard drive and start all over. At first I didn’t like it, then it actually felt good
Don’t you visit Dr. J no more?
Dr. J’s last blog post..Dr. J on doctors and angry patients
Babbalou: Kick-ass! Tell us how it goes
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Sagan: I’m definitely a work in progress, but I think I’m improving a lot in this area.
Dr. J: Of course I still visit Dr. J! I have a wavelike personality, I think. Like I will be filled with insightful things to say for weeks at a time and then suddenly the the tide will ebb and I will feel completely blank for a while. And I’m not a big fan of leaving small-talky “great article!” comments when I can’t add anything useful or personal or interesting to the conversation. Although I still do that sometimes. It’s not really my style though. I think my commenting is about to hit an upswing again, though
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It took me a long time to realize that there was no reason to limit myself to wanting to look and feel good “for my age and lifestyle” (aka sedentary gamer geek office worker). I’m so glad I changed what was in my head. It took baby steps, but I absolutely believe that I deserve to feel and look as good as I want (depending on the effort put in, of course), no modifiers needed.
Another great “food for thought” post, which might turn into a full blog over in Quix-town unless I get lazy. Thanks as always for the thought-provoking words!
Quix’s last blog post..Random Recipes: Tortilla Soup, or Hot Liquidy Love
Quix: That whole “looking good for [one's] age” thing always kind of bugs me. I just want to flat-out look good! And I will never be my age, anyway
. Gamer geeks are the best, btw! (I date one, after all.) But back to the topic at hand . . . I think you’re absolutely right that even if someone of our age/occupation/etc. stereotypically looks and acts one way, there’s no reason for us to automatically accept those boundaries. Keep us posted if you write about this!
Thanks for that reply Liz! No, of course you do not need to comment. I’m just glad you are still visiting! I’ve never been good with “small talk,” and your comments have been very thought provoking and insightful, so I appreciate quality any time! I have had some Christmasy things lately and I’m glad you got to see them! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Dr. J’s last blog post..Dr. J on doctors and angry patients
Well, I did sorta ramble about worthiness. Check it out if you’re interested in some light (not) Friday reading, heh.
Quix’s last blog post..I’m good enough, smart enough…
There is no doubt that one can start over and reprogram thinking and body. You can do it. I liked you post. It was a good lesson for me to remember. Thanks for putting it out there.
Come by and visit me and see some before and after pics. I lost 130 lbs on weight watchers and am just working to keep it off now.
http://run4change.wordpress.com/you-can-lose-weight/
Jason’s last blog post..Weight loss and life lessons learned by running 50 miles