It has taken me a lot of years to realize that I process things differently than other people. When I am wrestling through a topic or trying to figure something out, I have to talk it out. I have to say things out loud to get them to make sense.

There have been times when I say something out loud and I think, “That is t what I want at all. Where did that come from?” There are other times I hear it when I say it out loud and I think, “Wow. Did I just say what I think I said? That was good!”

I will pause a moment and express gratitude where it is due. My darling wife is responsible for helping me realize I process like this. We have been in several conversations over the years where I am telling her about something and I realize halfway through the conversation that I am confusing her or not making sense. Only recently I have added the phrase, “Let me talk this out for a minute.” When I say that she realizes I am working through what I am saying and it gives me time to get there.

Why do I say all of this? How many times in life have we heard one thing when the speaker really meant another? How many times have we been so close to understanding each other, but we’re just one step away from a breakthrough? I bet it happens all the time.

Communication doesn’t just happen. We have to work hard at it. We have to understand how to speak and help others understand how to speak to us. Communication is hard, but can be made so much easier with this step.

I didn’t want to exercise tonight. I tried to talk myself out of it. It has been a long day. It is late. You could use the rest. I gave myself all the excuses.

What did I do? I went for my walk. I put in 30 minutes on the road in 37 degree weather. And just for extra measure I wore shorts. It was cold. It wasn’t fun. However, I got it done. Like normal, it wasn’t as hard as I was making it out to be.

I think this is true of any goal we set for ourselves. Inertia is the hard part. Once we are over that first burst, doing what we have to do gets so much easier.

What goal are you working on? Have you hit a rough spot? Keep pushing. Keep going. You can do this.

That is the mantra. Even if progress is slow. Even if the day doesn’t turn out like I’d hope. Eyes up and on the goal. Keep going. Keep moving forward.

It is day 2 and I am tired. I have worked hard the last couple of days and worked out hard as well. I am definitely feeling it. That is a good thing.

This year has started off balance. I don’t like that. I have had to regroup twice. However, I am going to make a prediction. This year will be a year of accomplishment. It started yesterday. It is time to get on a roll.

We have a family motto that I need to put on a T-Shirt. We do hard things. I must have done them right the last two days because my body is tired by my spirit is hungry for more.

It is quiet. It is that point in the evening when I am the only one awake. After a long day the silence gets me ready to turn the light out, but first a few thoughts.

I am thankful that every day is a chance to start again. I am starting back at 1 yet again. I haven’t been able to find a rhythm this year. However, today was a proper day 1. I am excited to get going.

I am thankful that I am a work in progress. Setting goals and achieving is not cut and dry. I have been wrestling through these goals. I have been refining them. Some days I feel like I have lost the plot, but it isn’t true. I am just evolving as I move through. The goals have to evolve with me.

I am praying and planning for 2023 to be a good year. I have so much I am looking forward to and plan to accomplish. It could be overwhelming, but I plan to take it a step at a time. Keep moving forward is the goal.