Someone told me this week that she loved change. She figured it was going to happen anyway, so it is best to embrace it and, if you can, enjoy the ride. For a lot of things in life, I really can see her point. The only constant is change. Most of them can be rolled with.

This conversation made me think about the changes I am making in my life. I am on day 5 of my 100 Strong journey. I have been able to stick to my stated objectives. This has been a change for me. Not a huge one, but a change all the same. Though I haven’t seen results yet, I am committed to keep going. I want to get to the enjoyable part of these changes, not just the eat less food parts.

In my self examination I realize that I have not had concrete goals in my life since I recovered from cancer. It has been easy to not be specific with what I have wanted to do and I have been able to drift for a few years now. It is only recently that I have realized how much damage that could do to me. When we drift we are out of control. We don’t exert the agency we have in our lives. That could lead to bad places.

The moment I wrote down the 7 things I wanted to accomplish, it was very easy to accomplish what I set out to do. There really is power in writing it all down and seeing it in front of your face. I know clearly every day if I am doing what I set out to do. Whether the scale moves or not, I have the accomplished feeling of knowing that I am no longer drifting and am exerting the decision making power I have over my actions.

I had this conversation with my son not long ago about being in control. We can’t control all the things that happen in life, but we can control how we respond. It is my hope through these next hundred days that I can point to the good things I am accomplishing to show him a very clear picture of what good choices and controlling your emotions does. I need to be this example for him.

Change isn’t fun, but maybe it can be. I am willing to enjoy the ride and the changes as they come. It is my choice, so that is what I will do.

I looked in the mirror today and what did I see? An older face than I expected. He still looks like me, just a little bit grayer than he expected to be. Maybe a little wiser too.

It really doesn’t bother me. Someone asked me the other day if I would go back to a younger age to do it all over again….my answer? Absolutely not. No way. No thank you. I will stay when and where I am . I’m good.

I say this for two reasons: 

1. If I had made any changes on the road to getting here, things would be very different. I am thankful for the life God has given me. I love my family and friends.  I enjoy my work. I am even getting better at taking care of myself. Sure, I could be further down the road, but I wouldn’t want to take that chance. 

2. God has brought me here for a purpose. I don’t always know what that purpose is, but I know I have the opportunity to be a good example because of the road that I have walked. It is the ups and downs that can be used to love and encourage others. I think that is very powerful. Also, I have no idea what impact I have had on the world, but everything we do can be impactful. I wouldn’t want to change that.

I heard a story once of a man who was teaching his son about how our choices ripple out and touch other people. He threw a stone in a peaceful pond. He had his son watch the ripples. He then told his son, “The stone is your actions. The ripples are its effects. We must make good choices to cause good effects.” The man was right. Those ripples carry out much further than we expect. 

What stone are you throwing in the water today?

Have you ever seen the movie Stardust? It stars Charlie Cox as a young man named Tristan who is desperate to win the affection of a girl. To accomplish this, he sets off on a quest to bring her back dust from a fallen star. It is a story full of adventure and intrigue. He meets strange and interesting people, and eventually he finds himself and his actual true love. I really enjoyed the movie.

In the story he meets a character named Captain Shakespeare, played by Robert Deniro. Shakespeare is the captain of an air ship. He has a fearsome reputation, but in truth is a gentle man who is nothing like his persona. Though he shows kindness to Tristan, he does not want his kindness to be known. A reputation, he says, takes a lifetime to build, but only moments to destroy.

I was reminded of this today. I was working and spoke my mind about something. What I said was somewhat harsh, and could have been misconstrued. Fortunately, I was understood for my intent and my colleague did not take offense to what was said. Had I been in different company, would the outcome have been the same?

A verse from the New Testament came to mind. In the book of James, the author describes how our tongue (our words) can do great damage. It says…In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. James 3:5 NLT

We do this sometimes without meaning to. We say things out of frustration or anger, and we may not be able to take back what we said. We say things out of ignorance and that is exactly how we look. Sometimes, not saying what your are thinking may be the best tactic.

I feel grateful that what I said was not poorly received. I will, however, work on my messaging. I do not like setting fires where one is not needed.

I finally got there. I reached the dipping point. I finally became so frustrated that I chose to do something different. The real question is why did it take so long?

If you read yesterday’s post, you know that today is day two of a new journey. Somehow, I finally got fed up with things being the same. I have so many things I want to accomplish that I just haven’t gotten to. For whatever reason, yesterday seemed like a good day to start.

If we’re honest, though, that’s how tipping points work. You never know when the lever is going to flip. All of the inertia it took to get to that point can’t go unnoticed. I’m just thankful the lever finally flipped.

So what did I accomplish today? Aside from some really boring work in Microsoft excel, I spent some time with my family and some time at my church. Both of those activities I consider very valuable.

While at the church tonight, I participated in a vocal class. I’ve been singing for most of my life. It is what I majored in for a couple of years in college. However, It has been 25 years or so since I’ve taken a voice lesson though. Even though tonight‘s class was not a private lesson, it was a group lesson. I had the honor of singing with many other students who were working on making themselves better.

One of my stated goals for this 100 days is to encourage people more. I got to do that tonight. When I heard something good, I let people know about it. One singer in particular does not realize how good she could be. She lives in her own head , and can’t hear what the rest of us can hear. I got the opportunity to remind her that she was among friends, and that she was so much better than she knew. It made her happy, but it was also just me telling the truth, which was nice. That interaction was a serious reminder to be more encouraging. Everyone can benefit from it if it is done from a place of honesty.

Day two was a good day. I accomplished the goals I set out to achieve. I’ve tipped to the other side and it is my prayer that I keep up the momentum. On to day three

It has been a long time since I have sat in front of the keyboard to put my thoughts down in writing. When you stop writing it is so easy not to start again. With that being said, it is time to start anew.

Here is my audacious goal. For 100 days I am going to spend time setting and achieving goals. What goals? I am glad you asked.

1. Rigorously follow my exercise program. This one won’t be hard. I have been in the gym 5-6 times per week for the last year. However, it is time to refine the program and get focused results.

2. Set an eating plan and stick to it. I don’t know about you, but I don’t care for this step. I love food. I love cooking food. I love eating food. I love… you get the idea. I already eat foods that are good for me…mostly. For the next 100 days I am committing to tracking my food/calories/macros to understand better what is working and what is not.

3. I don’t drink enough water daily. This has to change. My daily goal is 100 oz.

4. I hate reading paper books. This is primarily because I am an auditory guy. I love to listen. This is why 75 Hard and me haven’t gotten along. Well, for other reasons too, but I digress. My goal here for the next 100 days is 1 chapter per day, either reading or audio. I can do that. I will post here what book I am reading and the chapter I finish. I am currently reading Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss. I just finished chapter 4.

5. I will take a daily photo to watch the change happening. I may not post all of them right away, but as the pounds come down I will be more open to sharing.

6. I will actively encourage others. I am taking on the next 100 days to better myself. One way this is accomplished is by not making it all about me. I want to do better and lift others up at the same time.

7. My final step is…writing it all down as I go.

I am ready. Day 1 is in the books. On to day 2.