Saturday, January 4, 2014

Pairings for wishes, not fishes

I confess that I altered the supermarket's display to take this picture. But it's their fault for offering cutesy-pie bottles of wine.

Some of my wishes for 2014 are modest. Others are extravagant. The extravagant wishes are a precious few. The remaining wishes are modest, and the modest ones are mine to realize. By this I mean that I can make them come true with some effort and a little commitment.

For instance, I began the year at a hefty 209 pounds. My wish is to whittle myself down to 185 pounds. It's doable, but requires both a short term change in lifestyle, and a long term change in lifestyle. Now that I've gone public with this wish, we'll see how I do with it.

Another modest wish is to live simply, and happily. I think that happiness is 80% state of mind, and 20% circumstance, with state of mind having pride of place. Time passes so swiftly, it's easy to let routine blend the days into a stream of trivial, if painless, sameness. My life would be better if I made the time really count.

I guess the big challenge is taking off the excess weight and keeping it off.  There is no doubt that the biggest contribution to my well-being begins and ends there.

So here we go, another year begins.  My very best wishes to all of you for a healthy, happy and fulfilling year.

20 comments:

RichardM said...

How about a contest? I'm around the same starting point and the same goal...

VStar Lady said...

David ... I believe you've just been challenged to stick with it by Richard. Let the battle begin - may you inspire each other and both win!

David Masse said...

All right.

I was tempted to say that misery loves company, but I really think that achieving this goal will bring happiness. Let's just say that happiness loves company too.

Here's hoping we win this together.

My goal is to be down to about 190-192 for mid-May.

I'll post my weight weekly starting Monday.

David Masse said...

That's the goal Karen. We we met in July I was in the vicinity of 195 and felt much better than I feel now.

If anyone else wants to join in the Battle of the Bulge, game on!

SonjaM said...

My hubby is in the same weight category, let's see if I can motivate him to lose a few pounds as well. Good luck David and RichardM.

David Masse said...

Sonja, go easy on Roland, he's a guy I look up to, I mean he's like three inches taller than me, he needs the extra weight ;)

Canajun said...

Good luck to both of you (or all three if Roland joins in/is coerced into joining in). But you'd better finish off the Christmas baking first. :)

Trobairitz said...

A noble goal. Let's hope all of you meet your weight loss goals. It is doable.

I agree with your assessment of happiness. We make our own sunshine. I choose to be happy. Sure things happen that could get my down but I choose to be happy anyway. I like to say I am always in a good mood, and even when I am in a bad mood, I am in a good mood.

SonjaM said...

Yeah, right. Weight's ok when put into the right places ;-)

Unknown said...

David:

Not many years ago I was up in your 209 lb range. I felt uncomfortable and it really bothered me. We stuck to a plan and I have maintained around the mid 185 range for a few years now. I would also like to shed a few more . . .

good luck and I hope all of you win

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

David Masse said...

Richard, I've added a widget with my weight at the top right of the blog.

Keith - Circle Blue said...

When I read your percentages I was reminded of the petition, "Spare us needless suffering." It is part of a ritual I do twice a day. It has acted as a reminder of two things which seem true to me: Much of what I suffer is in my head and some suffering is needful.

I wish you well on your goal to be more at home in your body. May you find a way of eating and moving which promotes your health and well being. And while I'm sure it won't be painless, may you not experience any needless suffering.
~k

David Masse said...

Dave, I had fruit cake on my Christmas list, and I got two very nice specimens. Neither of them have been opened. Thankfully fruitcake lasts forever, and I will not indulge in them until I reach my target weight, and then only savour them slowly over a long period.

David Masse said...

So Zen Brandy. I think that living on the left coast may lend itself to more balance than here in the east. I like that you feel my goal is noble. I think I will feel more noble when I've licked it.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

David Masse said...

Bob, you will be my inspiration. You are in some ways my Zen master. You show me a path, and I stumble along behind in your shadow, doing my best to learn.

David Masse said...

Keith, thanks for those very spiritual thoughts.

I know you have faced the challenge of re-inventing your life in a very purposeful way. By comparison, my challenges are modest.

You are also inspiring, and I admire your humble tenacity and spirituality.

What is it about the circle of bloggers I find myself in? I am blessed more than I deserve.

VStar Lady said...

David, we are all blessed ... in different ways yet all within this circle together.

David Masse said...

It's true Karen. Truly a blessing.

RichardM said...

I just added a text widget to the left side of the blog...

David Masse said...

Yup, saw that. Tonight my loving wife made fish sticks. She claimed it was diet-friendly, but I'm doing a no-carbs diet, so the breading on the fish probably means a setback.

Oh well, the path is long but the goal is worthy. Good luck to us!

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