Monday, May 3, 2010

A New Life Manifesto

Every so often, it’s important to take a step back and take a deep breath, to tap into that reserve of inner strength we all possess and rededicate ourselves to this mission that’s in front of us.

That’s where I am right now.

Ready to push myself just a little bit harder, ready to double down and get serious about my goals again.

Because I tend to sing, dance and joke so much in this space, it’s probably difficult for you to tell just how serious I am about this march toward fitness, this surge toward a better life. I kid around with you because… well, because that’s what I do, but these are my aspirations and objectives:
  • I will never again let myself be defined by my greatest weakness.
  • I will be smarter than I look and stronger than you think I am.
  • I will strive to eat foods that are more local and healthy, less processed and chemical-filled.
  • I will never again sell myself short.
  • I will be honest with you in this space, but more important… I will be honest with myself in every other space I occupy.
  • I will work out with zeal and zest, I will exercise with purpose and passion.
  • In the future, the only time I will shop in the Big & Tall section will be when I’m getting my Uncle Stu a Christmas present.
  • I will run farther tomorrow than I did today.
  • I will have bad days here and there, but I can assure you that the good ones, the ones where I eat on plan, where I fight the good fight, where I keep my mind on my mission and my mission on my mind... those days will far outnumber the bad ones.
  • I will not falter and I will not fail.
  • This is my life, and I plan on living it to the fullest.
“How does one become a butterfly?" asks author Trina Paulus, an advocate of organic farming, composting, holistic health and spiritual search. “You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”

Bye-bye, caterpillar.

Hey-hey, butterfly.

50 comments:

  1. "This is my life, and I plan on living it to the fullest." -my favorite

    Welcome home sir butterfly!

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  2. Okay, so not fair making me get all teary-eyed this early in the morning.

    Beautiful post, Jack.

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  3. I love that quote about the butterfly. Great post, Jack. Way to start off the week.

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  4. Great post Jack! I was just thinking about this topic the other day and why I'm doing what I'm doing day in and day out to fight the battle of the bulge and inspire others to live healthy! Thanks for giving me that extra push today!

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  5. Hey, hey, butterfly. Beautiful wings you got there.

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  6. wow, i love this post! it's a refresher course on why we ALL are here, even though we may get caught up in the struggles of the fight... thanks for being inspiring, once again!

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  7. Excellent post and attitude!

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  8. Hey Jack,

    That is a great quote at the end. I think joking is a good way to cut through the crap. My middle son and I both have the characteristic of joking a lot (inherited from family before us), but in fact we are both so deadly serious.

    I appreciate this post and also the creativity you bring to the web.

    frank

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  9. Love the commitment. I can visualize your success right now!

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  10. Your inner strength is inspiring and will carry you through to your goals. Love love LOVE the quote about the caterpillar and butterfly.

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  11. Wisely written. I find that when I focus on all my body can do now...which it could not do before (including, ahem, let's call it gymnastics rather than contortions), then I feel motivated to stay fit. The benefits of flight truly are FUN!

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  12. Great objectives...I might steal some or all of those!

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  13. Great post! I've found, with myself and with clients, there's a time when we just get it -- that this is our life and we've got to be committed to ourselves and our health. This is what this post sounds like to me.

    I love the "never shop in the Big & Tall section" because that was one of my goals when I was losing weight - simply to cross the aisle into the "normal" clothes where I had more choices.

    Keep up the good work, and keep inspiring us, Jack!

    Pat Barone, CPCC, PCC
    "America's Weight Loss Catalyst"
    www.stoprentingweightloss.com

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  14. Being real in all areas of my life is one of my greatest aspiration and gives me the most satisfaction and joy.

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  15. Sounds like we both took a little detour. But that's what life is about finding our way back onto the main road.

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  16. It's funny that the first blog post I ever read by you hits really close to home for me. I made my own list over the weekend and had the same kind of mental break through it seems you're talking about. My life is going through a tone of change as well and I'm pushing myself harder than I ever have before. I'm kind of a class clown as well and feel people don't always take me seriously, but now I'm going to make them.

    Great read bud on a day where I needed it.
    S.

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  17. This is hitting right on target for me today as I peck away at the keys . . . I'm so sore I can barely type. It hurts to blow my nose.

    And it's all because I managed to do two straight days of the 30-Day Shred. Planning for day 3 today!

    I blame Jillian Michaels, of course, but you are partially responsible for me hobbling around, too.

    I keep getting motivated to do more. To, at the very least, try more. I want to fly so much, I'm willing to shred!!! ;-)

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  18. Great post. Stating your goals really makes a difference... your commitment is a great example for me.

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  19. my fav.. that hits home with me today.. "I will never again let myself be defined by my greatest weakness." So often I let my weaknesses drag me right down the sewer with them.

    Thanks for this, Jack! Amy

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  20. You're redefining yourself. That's what a butterfly is. A redefined caterpillar. Great post.

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  21. It's always so great to regroup and say THIS is why I'm making myself work hard. Good job with the list of goals definitely keeps the motivation up.

    And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the butterfly quote! It'll help brighten my day and week.

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  22. This is a great post! It like a "draw a line int eh sand" post. I love it!

    My favorite: "I will be honest with you in this space, but more important… I will be honest with myself in every other space I occupy."

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  23. Did you know that a chrysalis is a safe place to change completely?

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  24. You've come this far, there's turning back now!
    Great job on all your accomplishments and best of luck with your new goals.

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  25. Ahhhh...you just had to remind me about objectives and setting goals...I was really trying to forget about it...great objectives:)

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  26. Beautiful post.

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  27. Wow... love the butterfly quote. Loved your aspirations and objectives even more. Take care of you.

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  28. I don't know if "double down" was the best phrase to use considering the current KFC situation...

    On a bit more serious note: Reflection is so freaking important! Thanks for a heartfelt post man.

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  29. The journey to better health taught me how to buck up and keep going when the chips are not so sunny. Valuable lessons on how to stay positive. Commitment is what it's all about ... and attitude ... perspective ... remaining positive.

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  30. Love the butterfly thing. Fly away Jack!

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  31. Just beautiful! Thanks!!!

    I love the butterfly part. Funny that's there today!. My trainer teases me telling me he's going to make me get a tattoo to motivate myself. I actually considered it, which if you knew me, would shock you...but in my contemplating of what I would get for a tattoo and why..I decided on a butterfly. I think I'm going to snag that quote...LOL

    Thanks for the thought provoking post!

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  32. I love the manifesto. There was never any doubt about your seriousness on the weight loss front. Those weekly weigh-ins do not lie. Sometimes it takes a weekend binge to bitch-slap us back to reality. Here's to reality.

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  33. What a great post, Jack.

    I love point 3 ... as a matter of fact I just was given a dozen more free-range eggs today by a co-worker! I'm trying my darndest to eat as clean as possible and I have to tell you the difference in my physical AND emotional health benefits. I don't get those awful sugar lows from all the processing.
    AND the environment benefits. I don't have nearly the garbage eating this way because of the lack of all the packaging and I've also started a compost pile with the veggie and fruit scraps.

    I never would've thought that you were someone who ever sold himself short. You've always come across as a man with lots of confidence and self-esteem.
    Unless you meant by eating poorly or lack of exercise?

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  34. I like the joke posts but I GET the serious ones!

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  35. I want to be a butterfly. I came to the realization that the most important thing is to wake up trying every day. I won't accept failure as an option. So I have bad days, but I'll keep pushing forward.

    Keep it up Jack.

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  36. JS, jeez, I love your thought process!!!! I am not a catapillar & not going back there either!

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  37. Well Jack it's posts like this that keep me on my path to being healthier and happier in my life. Thank you for your honesty, openness, and both your serious and funny ways of getting to the point. I look forward to every post.

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  38. Awesome!

    I am borrowing that quote, btw. It's beautiful.

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  39. I fell off track last week ... I gotta get back at it.

    But I'm not beating myself up about it ... it will happen.

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  40. for me, It's about living your life in a deliberate fashion.
    EAting more one day, does not make it a bad day. Just a day where you ate more.
    Eating less the next would be a choice made to keep yourself on an even keel healthy wise.
    It's being awake.
    Your awake.

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  41. you inspired me today...you're some funny sh*t and then other times you just lead others to the light... take care of You.

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  42. I enjoy your blog regularly but only comment occasionally. I have to say LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. Beautiful and inspiring. Fly fly away!

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  43. Hey, left you something over on my blog. It's an award..it's green. You might have to scroll a little. :)

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  44. Who in the world would pick crawling over flying, anyway?

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  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

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