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Entry No. 12 – Before the Clock Runs Out

“I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain, you’re doing a good thing.”

–Stan Lee, 1922 – 2018

The debriefing starts now…

I don’t know about you, but a LOT has happened in my life these past six months, both professionally and personally; it’s been difficult to stay engaged and motivated to write a blog post. Sometimes, life gets that way, you know? When things start going sideways, it’s easy to push off everything that isn’t related to our current shenanigans, in an effort to push through and cope. But I was determined to write you one last time before year’s end.

As we make this final push towards the end of 2018, I find myself reflecting on all the ups and downs of the year. The trials and tribulations that have happened, both in my own little bubble and outside of it. And one of those memorable moments was the death of Stan Lee.

Stan “The Man” Lee was a co-founder of Marvel and an originator of fantastical imagination. He created entire universes in the MCU; ingenuity that inspired millions and will forever be etched into the creative arts world – comics, film, podcasts and characters not-yet-created.

When I reflect on his legacy in the future, I will tell the youth how cool it was to be alive while Stan Lee was among us, gracing the world with his infamous cameos and artistic brilliance. How incredible it was, to see his dreams realized in grand scale; after all, very few in this lifetime will see their dreams realized at all. And that brings me to today’s topic…..

Do not waste anymore time procrastinating on your dreams. You are no closer to actualization if you never begin. So start…..before the clock runs out.  

Don’t wait for the “Perfect Time”

I’ve been guilty of this myself, most recently, with my writing. As i mentioned prior, there have been some major changes in my life over these past few months. A handful of negative setbacks. And unfortunately, I allowed these setbacks to override all desire to do things that I sought to make a priority. Like writing, reading, working on a meditation practice, and checking in regularly with friends.

Thankfully, I have a small but meaningful circle who understand “that’s just how Vicky gets” and they don’t judge me for it. But it doesn’t make it right. Whatever this act is for you, don’t wait for the perfect day, with the perfect mood and the perfect circumstances. Just start. 

Don’t forfeit your POWER

With all of this end of the year “reflecting”, it was only fair that I take a hard look in the mirror. And you know what I saw? Fear. Anxiety. Excuses.

The truth is that, no matter what happens to you, from the time you get out of bed in the morning, till the time you fall asleep, you are in complete control of how you handle life.

Did you workout today? Did you stimulate your mind in a way that didn’t involve social media? Did you engage in a meaningful conversation today?If you answered NO to any of these, why is that? Say your answer out loud and then REALLY think about what you just said. Are you bullsh!tting yourself? 9 times out of 10, you are.

Yes, that flat tire made you late for work and it sucks you had to listen to a nagging coworker. Sure, the coffee was luke warm and the email inbox too high. Yes, an unexpected expense completely ruined your weekend spending money and now you may need to find something cheaper/free to do instead. Sure, getting judgmental looks from total strangers in the gym sucks. But this is LIFE, and if allow every hiccup to sour your mood and linger for hours/days/weeks on end, you are forfeiting your power. You are weakening your coping capability. You have to decide every day, that THIS is going to be a great day. You have to decide every day that the opinions of others aren’t going to dictate how you feel about yourself. Say it loud, doodle it on your mirror or a sticky note. Whatever’s necessary. But the day begins and ends with YOU.

Don’t fear the F-bomb.
And I’m referring to FAILURE.

Please realize that every day on your journey isn’t going to be a breeze. Let’s say you are on day one of a fitness journey and the road ahead looks daunting. There will be days where you don’t eat according to plan. There will be days your gym-game was not A+ and you feel like you were better off staying home. There will be days you feel like quitting, because the progress (whether it’s weight, agility, flexibility, nutrition, etc.) just isn’t happening fast enough.  These setbacks are perfectly normal and are not exclusively YOUR experience. In time, you develop the mental toughness to get back in the saddle the next day and give it your best effort. 

As We Move Into 2019…

Remember that today is a gift and tomorrow is not promised. While we are here, let’s make the very best of our time and accomplish that goals we have set for ourselves. These goals don’t have to be specifically fitness related, but the advise remains the same. There will never be a perfect time.

That’s my 5 minutes for the day.

In lieu of today’s random nugget, I’ll end it with one of my favorite Stan Lee quotes:

“But, although anyone has the right to dislike another individual, it’s totally irrational, patently insane to condemn an entire race—to despise an entire nation—to vilify an entire religion. Sooner or later, we must learn to judge each other on our own merits. Sooner or later, if man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill out hearts with tolerance.” —originally written in Lee’s Soapbox column, year 1968. However, he re-released it in August 2017, shortly after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.