Week 27

I like proverbs. From "Poor Richard's Almanac" to the "Bible," proverbs are short, easily remembered nuggets of truth that can help me recall some wisdom at times in my life that I desperately am in need of it. However, I found that all the ones written by others just wasn't cutting it for me. I'd forget or, worse yet, remember it wrong...like the old saying "starve a cold and feed a fever," "or starve a fever and feed a cold." I can't ever get that straight, so I always assume that my ailment of the moment is what I'm supposed to FEED. Maybe that's why I'm writing this blog! So, to avoid forgetting or "misremembering" I created my own life motto:

Life is too short to wear uncomfortable underwear!

Now, that works for me. I can remember that. It really hits home, or, um, yeah...hits a memorable place. You know when you're wearing uncomfortable underwear. It either rides or bunches or is too big it sags in the back making you feel like you just...never mind. You get the picture (as unlovely it is). When you're wearing uncomfortable underwear, it is hard to keep your mind on anything else. The discomfort consumes you until you can rid yourself of the pesky personals. It's just not worth it.

The reason this motto works for me is I have a cognitive framework by which to sort experiences, people, places, decisions, etc. If it fits and feels comfy, I wear it. If not, I place it in the back of a drawer to reexamine at a later date. Sometimes I have to endure it for a moment, but why keep putting it back on and being miserable? Life is just too short.

Six months ago, I decided to start shedding some uncomfortable underwear. (Oh, the visual image ...Ugh!). My thoughts and feelings about myself were so negative and my self-worth was taking so many blows, I knew it was time for a change. That's when I committed myself to working out. This fits. I'm not where I want to be, but I took the first step and kept walking that path. Life is good. I know I have other steps to take, and I will take them. It's just right now, the undies feel good.

(I tried out one other saying, but I abandoned it because of my pixie-elf friends..."Never trust a woman whose thighs don't meet." Made perfect sense to me, but I think I was just in an envious, coveting sort of mood.)

However, today I read a statement that I think will serve as life motto #2. I don't know the original source, so I can't give the proper credit. I would love to shake their hand. Shoot, who am I kidding? I would love to throw my arms around their neck and shower them with gratitude, exclaiming, "I'm not worthy!" Here is my new motto, with some tweaking to fit me, personally:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body; rather, it is to skid in sideways, with a pizza and Snickers Bar in one hand, Diet Coke in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO-HOO WHAT A RIDE!'"

Now, THAT'S my idea of living!