Month: February 2021

It’s crazy to me that February is almost at an end. For the past few years, I have felt the years rolling by even with the craziness in the world because I have chosen to focus on the things that I can change which is just me. As I continue to keep challenging myself, it has become a bit of game to see how else can I make myself uncomfortable. This month the challenge has been to east 800 grams of fruits and veggies (part of my Crossfit Gym challenge) which seemed easy since I am a vegetarian until I began weighing my salads and realized I would have to eat monstrous bowls to get to to 800 grams. Moreover, I was eating a lot of fried foods, pastas and potatoes, none of which counted in the challent until I realized that fruits are my friend as well as some beans.

So each morning I began eating fruits not just one but several once I realized an apple, a banana and an orange got me to 400 grams immediately. One of the side effects of eating fruit in the morning was that my energy levels rose as if I was taking a pre-workout and my workouts started to become a bit easier in terms of my stamina and endurance.

Another challenge I took was to write daily. I have longed to write since high school and although I have somewhat been regular in blogging, to me, that’s not the writing that I endeavored to. My best friends gift to me of MasterClass got me engaged with the writing courses and I now know I need to sit in front of the computer daily to write. My goal is simple, write 100 words. I have made the goal so simple that it is hard to argue against it and it also pushes me to get something, anything down. And now at 3000 words, I have the makings of a short story (maybe a novel). It may not even be great writing, but it is still more writing than I have done in over a year.

So I continue on this path of pushing myself because I am my own competition. I am in my own way. I am the obstacle I get to overcome not others or things or life, me. I get to push myself because if I don’t, no one else is going to do it for me.

What will you do to push yourself? Happy Monday!

The past few weeks after Atomic Habits have been my most productive along with Think Like a Monk and Mastering Mindful Eating giving me essential tips on how to be more efficient and aware of the present. Rather than mindless eating or thinking of what to wear in the morning, I have begun to taste my bites and try to eat slower (key word being try) and also packing up my gym clothes and my work clothes the night before has reduced the rushed feeling I would get as I tried to leave the house in the morning. I am grateful that I am able to access so much information and knowledge and learn from it.

But more than that. I also am working on grace on the days when I cannot get to it all. I get to accept with grace when my to do list is not completed or only half done. I use grace to acknowledge gratitude for how far I have come. It hit me that on Friday I ran one of my fastest average 7 miles and yet I was more annoyed that I didn’t run more and then I took it in. The old me would never have dreamt about running let alone 7 miles. Too often, it’s easier to focus on what didn’t get done rather than what did.

That’s not to say I should always be patting myself on the back. I know that I tend to lean towards some laziness and fear of getting out of my comfort zone. But I also know that if I don’t steep myself in gratitude and grace, I will be constantly unhappy with myself which is not a good space to be in. And so I keep working at thing, keep doing things that scare the crap out of me, do things that bring me joy but most of all I keep focusing on growing and enjoying the journey!

Last week, I managed to run 17 miles, read 150 pages, connect with my wife on a deeper level, sign 4 new clients. ate 800 grams of fruits and veggies daily, journaled consistently, wrote 500 words of fiction, finished a Master Class, and got to spend time with loved ones. And I say all this not to brag (although I am pretty proud of myself) but to really acknowledge for myself that it’s easy to focus on what I didn’t get done or didn’t do well enough.

After running 7 miles, my first thought was oh god I ran so slow. After I sat down to write, the thought that the story wasn’t that great or that it didn’t make sense. As I journaled, I hated my handwriting and how long it was taking me to write them out.

Over and over, the negative thoughts came and, in the past, I gave credence to them, gave them priority while really not allowing myself to see my progress. And so with the help of Think Like a Monk, Atomic Habits and Mastering Mindful Eating, I give myself grace and acceptance. I applaud my efforts rather than criticize them. I try not to compare or bemoan on what I didn’t get to do or didn’t do as well as I expect.

I acted, and I moved forward and that’s all that matters, and then I get a week like last week where I truly feel superhuman when I look at my activity. So I keep moving, keep acting, keep being productive not for bragging rights but to be a better person for myself and others.

As I drove home yesterday from a weekend full of food (lots of it), drinks (even more) and laughter (stomach pain inducing), it hit me how blessed I am for the people that are in my life. My dear friend Raj cooked us not only a feast for three meals, but filled our day with loving conversation and deep insights. It’s gratifying to know that even after almost twenty-five years of friendship, we continue to make each other laugh and have managed to not only keep in touch but deepen our relationship.

One of my greatest joys has been to see my wife get to experience my friendships, not as an outsider, but someone who has own intimate connection with those in my life. I feel blessed that I know so many kind and patient souls who make it a point to not make someone feel like a stranger.

And then the weekend continued with more friends who went above and beyond in their hospitality not only in terms of food and drinks (again) but in connection, communication and ensuring we felt seen and loved.

Two events that lead to me feeling full of blessedness and gratitude that even in times like this, there are people who make life more than bearable. Happy Monday!!!