12.03.2013

No Day But Today

Several years ago the Broadway musical Rent was released as a movie.  While the movie had some controversial characters living bohemian lifestyles it also had some powerful messages delivered through song.  One of the moving tributes to life was a song titled No Day but Today




This song resonates truth in the simple lest of terms. The chorus goes:

There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss.
No other road
No other way
No day but today

This philosophy is the fiber of weight loss. Forget regret, seize the day as if there is no other day.  I made a vow to myself one day many years ago that I would be healthy again - someday. That vow began with believing in that one day, in one moment that I absolutely had to turn around and head in a new direction. Then believing I could and would do it...you can't fail if you never give up.

My husband and I had gone to Ponca, Arkansas, way up in the Ozark mountains to see the elk.  Yes, there is a huge herd of elk relocated there and they are quite majestic to see.



While there we decided to take a hike on one of the many trails that runs by the equally majestic Buffalo river.  The only problem was, I was so out of shape I could hardly enjoy the beauty of my surroundings or the glory of my body carrying me through the adventure.  I felt disappointed in myself for letting things go so far the wrong way. My heart was still willing but my means of transport was burnt out.  I was as far away from where I wanted to be as I had ever been and on that day it seemed an insurmountable task to overcome - but I made a vow...



I picked up a rock from the river bed (please don't tell anyone because I'm sure this is illegal to take a rock from a national park) and I made a promise to myself.  I was going to look at the rock every day as a reminder that if I want to enjoy the adventures of life, (and I love adventure) I had to take charge of my health, lose the weight, change my bad eating habits and challenge myself to begin anew to pick up the thread of my life. I looked at that rock for about two years.  Some days it taunted me, some days it out and out mocked me but that was better than the days it judged me. However... on my best days ... it inspired me and reminded of who I once was and who I wanted to be again.

That little rock became a mascot for team "Healthy Kim" and it reminded me if I wanted to enjoy the last years of my life in the ways that brought me joy I would some day have to pick up not just the spirit of the promise but the action as well.
I still have the rock.                                          Photo
I have kept my promise.
It took me a couple of years to put the plan into action but today I am working hard to bring my body back to a place where it can perform not only the routine duties of the day but it can carry me on high adventures.  As an obese woman I was afraid to even try some activities because I knew my body could not hold up or sometimes because it could not fit. My body became a trap, a closet, a prison. 

Today my body is a tool, a transport and most of all it is becoming the delight it once was. It all began with an effort, a thought, a seed.  It grew into a hope, a dream and a promise. I took action and it became a fight, a struggle, a war.  But soon it will be a symbol of victory, an accomplishment and a testimony to the raw realization - nothing is impossible. 

Forget regret or life is yours to miss.  Chill bumps.  No day but today!

That's all ~ Thanks y'all

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