Monday, January 5, 2009

I Believe I Can Fly


I Believe I Can Fly
by R. Kelly


I believe I can fly,
I believe I can touch the sky,
I think about it every night and day,
Spread my wings and fly away,
I believe I can soar,
I see me running through that open door,
I believe I can fly.

There are miracles in life I must achieve,
But first I know it starts inside of me,
If I can see it, then I can do it,
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it.

Hey, cuz I believe in me,
If I can see it, then I can be it,
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it,
Hey, if I just spread my wings,
I can fly.


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I love this song by R. Kelly. If you have time and could use a little extra inspiration to start your day (week, year), click here for the link to the "I Believe I Can Fly" video.

This song touches on many of the themes we have talked about on this blog over the past months. It's all about seeing what you want. It's about changing from the inside out. It's about believing in yourself. Believing in miracles. It's about spreading your wings so you can fly!

At my Weight Watcher meeting on the evening of December 30, Sue led us in a great visualization exercise. Her instructions were to close your eyes and imagine that it's one year from this moment. You are sitting in the same exact chair. How do you feel? What have you accomplished in the last year? What's different in your life? Even in the short time we had to devote to this exercise during the meeting, it made an impact on me. I thought it would be a good exercise for the blog. So here goes for me.

Fast forward one year to January 5, 2010, and here is what I can report. In 2009, I finally got a handle on food and the role it plays in my life. I now use food to nourish my body, not my heart and soul. I feed my soul through writing, reading, meditation, yoga, the cabin, animals, nature, family, and friends. As a result, I am now at a healthy weight. I look and feel great. My CrossFit performance has improved dramatically as a result of the changes in my diet and dropping the extra pounds. I'm faster and stronger. I can do kipping pull ups, unbroken double-unders, and a hand-stand. The 24" box doesn't scare me anymore. I even got my Level I CrossFit certification. (Sheryl did too!) CFED is thriving and helping people change their lives. Being an owner in CFED is a tremendous blessing in my life, and I'm pleased that I was able to maintain balance in my life despite the added responsibilities of being an owner. I found "Mark Darcy" who likes me just as I am. Melvin continues to do well; he is happy and healthy. The cabin now has water and in-door plumbing. I also installed a set of pull-up bars at the cabin and added some basic equipment so that I can workout when I'm there. I still love to go there regularly to get away and to spend time with my family. My life is good.

Now it's your turn! Fast-forward one year from this exact moment. What is going on in your life? How do you feel? What happened in 2009?

14 comments:

MelissaR said...

Great post Pat! I love all that you have accomplished!! That is wonderful and you look great!!! :o)

I'll have to think about this one and come back to it shortly. I just wrote down some goals this morning, but I need to detail them a bit more before I put it out there. So, I'll be back.

Kath said...

This is a very good exercise Pat. Kinda like a dartboard, you hit the mark. I can tell it's good, because I really don't want to do it hehe.
Which means, I probably NEED to do it. I would bet a million dollars I don't want to say this shit out loud so I don't have to be accountable (or embarrassed when I do nothing to reach the goal) HAHAHA

Soooooo
One year from now... I am no longer working for my dayjob corporate suckthelifeouttayou thing. I am self-sufficient as a successful/published writer and author, with my own company manufacturing muscleup gloves and gear. My personal website is done & thriving and I have a syndicated column in foreign magazines (written in American slang). I live in a new home with a lot of light, where I get to saw and hammer and renovate (but no yard, I hate yard-work) instead it's surrounded by concrete & deck, and I practice sword forms and fencing. I have lost those stubborn last-9-lbs merely by giving up vending machine crap and swimming every week. I do triathlon sprints and have qualified for the CrossFit Games. I am dating Keanu Reeves and bearing his love-child. We get along great because we're addicted to each other, but like it when he goes off to make movies.

HOW'S THAT!!

Pat said...

Kath! Talk about hitting the mark! You hit the mark! I love it! You definitely need to write...I love to read your stuff.

Kath, I didn't think it was possible for you to get any cooler, but I guess it is 'cause you are even cooler in Jan '10 than you were in Jan '09. Congratulations on all that you accomplished in 2009!

Obviously, I wrote mine last night so I've had a chance for it to sink in (I've re-read it a few times). There is something about writing it in past (or even present) tense...something about talking about it like it has already happened...like I've already accomplished it. I hope everyone will give this a try.

The Orkins said...

Love it! Like Melissa, I need some time to think about this...

Kath - I want to do sprint triathalons, but can barely ride a bike (I gave it away) and have no where to swim. Help!

Oh, you know how you have to do that work verification thing to post - well, my word was COUGA...it's all you Kath!

MelissaR said...

Okay, one year from today I have FINALLY completed my Associate's in Science Degree so I can move on to the Dietetics program. I have completed the Crossfit Certification for Nutrition. I have paid off my car. My condo is painted. I have consecutive pull-ups, muscle-ups, and unbroken double-unders. I can do full handstand push-ups. Finally it is the first New Year I have woken up and not had a goal to lose weight.

Sheryl McCalla said...

I have to give this thought and come back. Great exercise Pat!

For those who haven't seen my comment on the last post, please take a look at it. It's a thank you to each of you and I really mean it.

Kath said...

Couga BOOYAH!! haha

I did an adventure race last March which is like crossfit in the woods. On crack. 10 hours we paddled a canoe or ran (up a mountain) or biked. One of the coolest experiences of my LIFE. Crossing a river and climbing a cargo net was super killer too.
I chickened out from doing the Navy SEAL test since I had rips on both my feet (from Caporeira class) -- but I have an LA-LA Fitness Membership and really. Really. Want to see how I swim.
Biking was the same way... it's been soooo long since I did it and believe me, it did NOT come back like they say.
I honestly don't know how I'm going to do it or approach it -- but I did the adventure race on purely crossfit training.
(boy that's a long answer that doesn't say anything hehe)
Basically, I'm going to braille it, follow my gut. Figured it'd be a 2-birds thing... that and the Games Qualifier.

MelissaR said...

I read your post Sheryl. You are wonderful and very thoughtful to point out good qualities in each and every person.
I'm sure this year will be filled with many accomplishments for all of us!

Byron said...

Visualization of goals can be difficult, but what a great exercise. Like others, I need to give some serious thought to what I actually would like to achieve in 2009 from a personal and professional perspective. Today, the first day back in the office after the holidays, has been filled with with lots of calls about the financial misery being suffered by many and worry about the current economic situation. I am distressed and am working diligently to not take on the problems of others today. I can be sympathetic, but not allow the issues to consume me. Right now, I am feeling consumed.

I am going to workout now and shall give lots of thought to my goals for 2009. I commit to publish them before I retire to bed tonight! The question remains for me: Will mine be objectives/goals, or merely wishes for my Fairy Godmother? Oh, if only I had one . . .

I love reading everyones' goals for the year. I hope we can support each other in reaching each of them. Simply reducing them to print I hope will keep me focused in the coming months.

Meeks said...

At the end of 2009 I have continued to work on maintaining balance in my life having remembered to put taking care of myself on my "to do" list. I will celebrate my accomplishments not downplay them to get myself out of the spotlight. I will have rowed 1 million meters and be stronger both mentally and physically for it.

I look forward to continuing our friendships that have grown out of CFED and seeing all that we accomplish in 2009!

Sheryl McCalla said...

Byron, what exactly do you do for a living?

Rachel Nye said...

hmmm, I have to admit my mind has not been able to process my life past the first six months, seeing as everything is up in the air. There are so many different possibilities, and knowing that the nearest Crossfit to my new local may be far, I have been considering some things, already priced a at home gym set up, would be cool to have a space where I could train myself and maybe a couple others, oh yeah and all the running will be on the beach, that is really what I want to picture me being back in nature in harmony with the ebb and flow of life, hopefully not having a million tasks to do and feeling like I am in a place that I know I will stay for awhile, a place to call home :)

Rachel Nye said...

Sheryl, thank you for the beautiful comments, all I can say you and all of my other friends here, just give me this intense feeling of love and warmth, it is so wonderful to know you all!

Byron said...

Sheryl, I am an attorney by education, but serve as the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee for the Bankruptcy Court. I love my job most days, but sometimes I feel so badly for some of the people. Bankruptcy is about real people with real problems, and I want to solve all of them. I must realize that I cannot do it in each case. Sometimes, it is harder than others. Today was a tough day.

As for what I want my 2009 to look like: My family will be healthy and happy, enjoying life. I am running again and training for another half marathon. My bike riding has improved, and I have at least two centuries under my belt. My workouts are regular and consistent. The economy has turned around, and I have sold my house in Atlanta so I can have a HOME here in Savannah. And, I have met each of the wonderful people from the blog! I am grateful that all you great athletes allow me to hang out here with you. You are all so inspiring!