Monday Musings - The Labyrinth of the Most Busy Life

"He, who  every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life." -Victor Hugo

Because it's January, I feel like it's time for me to make a few goals.  I've thought about what those goals should be, and because my life is so incredibly busy right now, I've decided that I should become more organized.  Why?  I refer you to the above quote by Victor Hugo.  Sometimes, I think of my life just the way he describes it - as a labyrinth.  Each day takes me through so many twists and turns, and if I don't have a plan, I get lost along the way, and end up at the end of my day without having accomplished much.

Part of my Organizational goal is to find time each and every day for myself - time to stop and reflect on what and who I want to be.  Time to work on my physical self, mental self, spiritual self, and so on.  There are days when I feel guilty for taking a few minutes to read, or a 1/2 hour to exercise, and even 5 minutes to properly wash my face!  However, I've concluded that if I leave room specifically for each of those things in my daily To Do list, then my guilt evaporates, and I can check off each thing as I accomplish it.  Not only does it force me to take time to improve myself, but it also gives me the satisfaction of crossing each thing off of my list.  It means I've accomplished something!

I've found that I'm not happy unless I have a "most busy life".  And although being busy is important to me, being productive, and doing things that matter is also important.

Socrates warned:  "Beware the barrenness of a busy life."  So, I guess my goal is to make my hours count: do things that matter - help others - improve myself - be up and about doing good.

 What are your goals for this new year?

MONDAY MOTIVATION - Setting and Achieving Goals

For awhile now, I've been wanting to reclaim my health, and even be more healthy than I was before my cancer diagnosis. The thing I personally need to work on is losing weight. If I can lose some weight, I know I'll feel better, and be much more healthy, in addition to reducing my chances of recurrence. I've taken a few baby steps in the last 2 years - I stopped drinking soda, and I cut my portion sizes down. I haven't lost any weigh, though.

Recently, at our support meeting, we learned about a doctor-approved weight loss plan - one that is low carb, low glycemic, high protein, and soy-based. I've decided to try this plan out. I think I can lose the weight, and in the process, learn how to change my habits to become a healthier person.

I started 5 days ago, and one of the things I have to do is drink a LOT of water. I am drinking 118 oz. of water every day - that's 15 cups! It's about 75 percent more water than I've ever tried to drink in one day. I decided that the only way I would be able to do this, is to make a goal. Goals are wonderful things, at least for me they are. I find that if I set a goal - especially if I have to check in with someone - I can usually achieve that goal, with some good hard work. I love this quote by Scott Reed: "This one step - choosing a goal and sticking to it - changes everything." It's true! By setting a goal, I've got a destination in mind - I keep moving - and once I've reached that goal, I feel so good about myself.

Whatever you feel you need to do to get your health back on track, make a plan, set some goals, and then work to achieve those goals.

And remember, whatever your goals are, it's the journey toward those goals that changes us. One of my favorite people, Spencer W. Kimball, said this: "Success is not measured in achievement of goals, but in the stress and strain of meeting those goals."

MONDAY MOTIVATION - Time Marches On - What Are You Doing With It?

This morning, I watched a special about Steve Jobs, the inventor of the Apple Computer, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad, among other things. There was a clip of him speaking at a commencement of a university, and he said:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

That thought really struck me - it applies to everyone. Our time is limited - none of us will live forever. I've always told my children to pursue their passions - that I'd rather have them working at a job they LOVE, even if the money isn't great, than to have them make tons of money doing something that makes them miserable. And if the LOVE part and the MONEY part comes together, that is something to be happy and proud of.

I've also taught them to spend some of their precious time in serving other people. Because, let's face it, there are SO many people who need help. And service, simply, enables you to feel joy.

A third thing I feel is important - don't waste your time wishing for things that don't matter. Rather, spend some time focusing on gratitude - being thankful for the opportunities you have to make your life something incredible.

Benjamin Franklin said: "Lost time is never found again."

These two ideas - that time is limited, and that time passes and we can't get it back - should make ambitious and careful people of us all. Ambition is eagerly desiring a goal we've set - and working constantly toward that goal. Being careful simply means that we don't waste our days, but we carefully and methodically spend our time.

Take an inventory of the goals you have, and the time you have to accomplish them, and make sure you are on track. Always be doing, achieving, and making something. Because, Steve Jobs is right - time is limited. As a cancer survivor, I know that it's smart to live my life to it's fullest, not waste my time with meaningless things, and spend time on whatever it is that makes my happiness complete. For me, that would be my family. What about you? What makes you happy?

Make your life count!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Patience and Desire

I was reading in a book this week that was given to me by a special friend. This book was written by Cheryne (Rocky) Brivik and is entitled "Be Enthused...52 Weeks of Enthusiasm." There was a quote by Robin Sharma on patience that truly resonated with me, and I want to share it with you:

"I'm impatient. I move fast and love things done now. I have a dream and wish it came true last weekend. I get an idea and I want it realized tomorrow. But life's not like that, is it? So, through my inner work, I've learned to slow down(a little). Because Good Things Take Time.

We live in a world that adores speed. But the nature of business and life is more organic. A gorgeous wine takes time to mature. A precious garden takes time to bloom. A breathtaking mountain needed time to form. And-great businesses and world-class lives are not created in a day. It's more about evolution than revolution. Those small daily improvements that, over time, lead to stunning results. It's the small steps that matter most. So, today, I invite you be patient. Focus more on consistent and steady improvements in the way you work and in the way you live. Slow and steady wins the race."

As I read this I remembered my radiation treatments. There was no way to rush them. I was there the same time five days a week for six and a half weeks. Day by day we got closer to the goal of completion. Although I never had Chemo Therapy, I know many who have undergone those treatments. Once again, they can't be hurried. One must endure the sickness and discomfort they cause in order for them to have their full curing effect. Napoleon Hill once said, "Patience, persistence, amd perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." It is all about our perspective. Remember: "What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly."

Rocky further states," In understanding nature's precise timeline, we can follow the same path and enjoy the baby steps that need to be taken day to day. Instead of looking at the big picture, let's focus on the baby steps, the stepping stones, the bricks we need to build a solid house and work patiently toward our goals. Slow and steady wins the race. There is no need for impatience because each day is one day closer to where we are going. Each day is exactly where we need to be- today may be happy, today may be sad, today may be success, or today may be failure. Whatever it is, it's all the precision of timing-enjoying the moment and being in present... waiting patiently for the moment of triumph."

Kudos to all of you Cancer survivors. I feel that we understand more than many, the concept of patience and the desire to "Keep on Keepin' on!" (my grandmother's famous quote).

Kathy Christensen
Breast Cancer Survivor
Guest Blogger
Member of Lifting Hearts