From my Inbox this morning…

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.
– J.B. Priestly (1894-1984) English Author

And this…

It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen.
– Herodotus (485 – 425BC) Greek Historian

From somebody’s Moleskine…

Will God change the course of human history in answer to your prayers? Because if He won’t – why pray?
-Ben Haden, PRAY!

OK…supposin’ you had a gift certificate from a certain online retailer.

And supposin’ that gift certificate had something less than $50 (US) but something more than say, $30 (US) left on it.

And supposin’ you had a wish list of 12 pages with that online retailer.

And supposin’ you had very eclectic tastes and interests.

And supposin’ you really needed to maximize and optimize that gift certificate’s value.

Supposin’ all that…what would you loyal Just Charlie readers (all both of you!) buy? In other words, what book/CD/DVD/etc. would you recommend as having the greatest value right now?

Hurry up, ’cause that gift certificate is burning a virtual hole in my online pocket!
______________
*What Would Just Charlie Readers Do?

Now the seats are all empty…
Let the roadies take the stage…
Pack it up and tear it down…

As I thought about change and habits and discipline and all that stuff today, I wondered to myself about how I got from “there” to “here.” And I wondered to myself if there has been a process or a system that could possibly be applied to other aspects of my life that need improvement.

I didn’t intend to come up with a new edition of the Twelve Step Program, but it just turned out that I journaled about twelve points along my journey so far.

These are subject to the disclaimer in the previous post, and they aren’t necessarily in any particular order.

I’m going to list them here, and maybe – if both you loyal readers can stand it – I’ll unpack them as we go along later.

Straight out of my Moleskine…

How did I accomplish any progress in my physical health to this point?

• Started with an opportunity, really to serve someone else at the beginning of my process – to be a “hero” to the lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie” – to provide something for her, the opportunity to resume her swimming at the new YMCA in town
• Began at the beginning. Had to be humble enough to ask for help and risk looking like a doofus
• Agreed to pay the price
• Assessed the reality of the situation with someone who could help (my comedian physician). I knew what she was saying was true, but I had to act on it!
• Started small. (Note to self: This is the greatest concern I have with applying the same effort to other areas that need deep change: I don’t think I really have time to take the “baby steps! The problems are too great! The obstacles are too overwhelming! I need to see change/solutions NOW! No, yesterday!)
• Tried out a variety of things but found something that worked for me, a routine to start with.
• Daily, daily, daily! Had to get up and make the drive to the Y.
• Tried to look the part – got workout clothes, shoes, etc.
• Read, studied, researched
• Had to stop some things – ice cream in the middle of the night, Cokes, etc.
• Had to start some other things
• Tracked progress

Both of you loyal readers will know that I’ve been pretty consistent about improving my physical health since the beginning of this year. I’m getting to the point where I’ve just about reached my weight-loss goals, and I’m looking to that dreaded “maintenance” stage.

Throughout the year, I’ve often thought about the results I’ve been getting from my workouts and wondering about some of the other issues/areas of my life that could benefit from the kind of habits and discipline I’ve tried to apply to my physical health.

Today was one of those great days for reflection and study, and I wrote some thoughts in my notebook that are just dying to get out into the blogosphere! Over the next couple of posts, I plan to run some of ’em up the flagpole and see who – if anyone – salutes! So, here’s the disclaimer…

I am not now, nor have I ever been an expert on change, habits, effectiveness, success, discipline and the like, but I have experienced a significant change for the better in my physical condition this year. So take what’s here with a half-a-grain of salt. These thoughts are “specks of lint that fell out, the last time that I picked my brain…”*

Your mileage, as usual, may vary.

* from “You’re Nothing Without Me” from City of Angels
Music by Cy Coleman Lyrics by David Zippel

Stay tuned!

In one of the daily quote things I get, Colin Powell said…

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.

Funny…someone must be trying to tell me something. I’ve already been thinking about this and related issues all day long. Hmmm…..

Same basement. Different music…

Just for a change of pace, I’m working out of my basement this morning. I’ve got the decrepit laptop but a great wireless connection from two stories above.

I’m sitting at my “original” desk – U.S. Geological Survey surplus – bigger than some houses, solid as Stone Mountain.

John Coltrane’s Giant Steps is playing, and I’m trying to act as though life is good.

My little Bodum French press has just delivered up the goods from some freshly-ground Caffè Verona. My books and notebook are piled conveniently nearby, like old friends waiting for some great conversation and give-and-take.

How’s your Friday going so far?

“…and it is us!”

So said the great philosopher Pogo.

I was going through my Bloglines feeds tonight, and came across this gem over at Be Excellent. Did you ever have one of those “look-in-the-mirror-but-hate-what-you-see” experiences?

He could have been talking about us when he wrote this…wow! And ouch!