This is a post about how perfection is the enemy of progress. The thing is, this is true all the time, but I feel like it’s especially important to remind ourselves now, when we’ve been through so much, and it isn’t over yet, and we still need to be extra kind to ourselves, not to mention our family and friends and co-workers, who are also trying very hard to keep putting one foot in front of the other. So here’s the story: A while ago, it was time for us to replace our 300-foot-long driveway, so we contracted with some very competent, able-bodied cement guys. They put a date on the calendar for the following spring, and we waited (patiently) until May came around. Then they came one day and ripped out the old driveway, fully intending, of course, to replace it later that same week. Alas, as my grandmother used to say, “Menschen tracht unt Gott lacht.” That means people plan and God laughs. Ha-ha. Continue reading
Category Archives: Activity
Earning Your Grain
If you read this blog regularly, then you know that I love words as much as I love food. You might know that I love words so much that when I was little, instead of collecting birds’ nets or dolls or board games like my friends, I collected homonyms. I made lists of rhyming names for twins, triplets, quintuplets. Think Chloe, Joey, and Zoe. Or Harry, Cari, Barry, Gary, and Larry. I wrote everything down in a spiral notebook that I kept on my bedside table. Continue reading
Walking and Wellness
I have a pedometer that tracks my daily steps, and I absolutely love it! Attached to my wrist with a fancy little contraption that I found last year on Etsy, it ventures forth with me every day as I plot my path, set my course, walk the walk, take a hike. Continue reading
One Step At a Time
Some time ago, Gene [not his real name] the computer guy showed up at my office for the first time in a while. Right away, I knew something had changed. I said, “You’re looking very well! How are you doing, Gene?” He responded with an uncharacteristic grin, and answered with an observation that all of us know, but few believe (despite numerous confirmatory personal experiences!). I sat up fast when he said, “Diets don’t work.” Continue reading
Practice Makes Progress: Do the Math
I sometimes imagine that I have a sign in my office, just above the door, that says “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” I am drawn to this idea a lot, especially when I talk with people who are hard on themselves, who discount their own small but sincere efforts as insufficient, or who, sometimes, describe themselves as lazy, incompetent, or unfocused. They are, of course, none of these. If anything, in fact, they are usually exactly the opposite. Hard-working, goal-directed and applied, they tend toward the belief that if they can’t give it their all, there’s no sense even trying. The thing is, that’s not true, not even slightly. Continue reading
Keepin’ It Movin’, All Year ‘Round
I think of wellness like a pyramid with three major pillars: eating patterns, activity pattern, rest & relaxation patterns. This week I’m talking about activity patterns. Your muscles are going to need a little warming up if you want them to help move you in the direction of good health. Cardio, balance, resistance, flexibility. It’s pretty easy to tell who’s been protecting their balance and flexibility for the past few years. It’s not just about marathons, or weight lifting. And you definitely don’t need to train for the Olympics. You just want to increase your opportunities to move. And for that, you could probably use a plan. Continue reading