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.

Today is day 9 of 100 Days Strong. It has been a good day. I am trying to sort out how to move forward with some of my goals. Let me explain.

Last round I decided I needed to drink 100 ounces of water per day. It was a great goal for someone who doesn’t really enjoy drinking water. However, I did it. I made it 100 days. I drank 10,000 ounces of water.

Something I noticed: I was over hydrating. From articles I have read, you can tell if you are over hydrating by tue color that shows up when you go to the bathroom. If it is bright yellow, you are dehydrated. If it is clear, you have had too much. If it is straw yellow, you are on target.

I was overdoing it. So, I have backed off. I am still trying to find a happy medium, but for now I think 64 ounces is sufficient and I will pay attention to the color and act accordingly.

The next thing I am working out is my creativity/writing. I have projects I want to work. I have to find the right time of day to fit them in. I am thinking when the house has gone to sleep and all is quiet, but we will see.

All in all, round 2 is going well. I am excited to be at it again. I am enjoying working out and getting in a groove. I am eager to see what progress I can make in the next few months.

#keepmovingforward #100DaysStrong #weightloss #goals

I consider myself a creative guy. I like to write. I like to sing. I love public speaking. Being creative in these ways feels right…and is crazy hard half the time too. So, while I have always considered myself creative, I have not consistently created over the years. There is a definite difference.

This difference was really brought to light for me through a book I just finished called Creative Calling. It is by photographer/entrepreneur Chase Jarvis. In the book he details how he went from following a very traditional path of playing college sports and going to med school, to giving it all up after his grandfather passed away to pursue being a photographer.

To say the book was inspiring would be an understatement. It was like the guy was reading all of my mail and my excuses and telling me to get past my bologna and create anyway. The writing that has appeared in this blog for the last three weeks is me pushing the processed meat aside and following the instructions I have been given.

At one point I believe I read this: we are what we do, not what we say we are going to do. I had to wrestle with that one. I know that I can talk a good game. I have to admit that I have talked a lot over the years, but haven’t really followed through. I have great intentions, but…we know where intentions go.

In the book he offers encouragement and guidance to help get past what I have described above. In that encouragement he even said start small. I can do something creative every day. Even if it is just writing one sentence, singing a few lines of one of my songs, or working on my next speech project. I can do something every day. You can too.

Are you creative? Yes. You are. We are human and by nature are all creative in some way. It just had to be cultivated. It may not come natural, but it is a muscle that can be built. I am all in on the journey to being my best creative self. I hope you will join me…and check out the book too. It was good stuff.