Going Nowhere Fast

Life is good.  Even so, as I navigate through the grand buffet of the good life, it can be tricky.  Lingering too long can take it's toll. Some choices must be made along the way.  In order to stay in the game for the long run, some time must be carved out to take care of ourselves.     

As part of the my treat myself better plan, I decided to head to the gym to take in a spinning class. For those of you who have never taken part in such a class, the concept is simple. It starts with a darkened room filled with a bunch of strangers on stationary bikes. Together with these nameless, faceless individuals, you all ride your a—s off, accompanied by extremely loud music. There is typically a gray haired man in full biking regalia at the front of the room shouting commands and words of encouragement into a microphone that is mounted to his face.

It really isn’t so bad and he does try to keep you from going crazy by having you stand up and sit down more times than the attendees at a Catholic wedding. Then of course there are your fellow participants that shout out the occasional Apache war cry or howl at the moon.  I am not kidding!  They actually do this! I did mention that it was dark. This has a double benefit. The lack of light prevents others from observing the belly roll that has formed as one crouches over the handle bars.  It also gives the rider a strange sense of obscurity, and allows everyone to feel free to look and sound ridiculous for the full forty five minute period.

Why would I choose to spend my time staring at a bunch of sweaty back sides bouncing up and down as I hide in the back row?  Because I realize that I finally need to do penance for all of the pasta, wine and song that I have enjoyed for the past three decades or so.  Now I don’t plan on giving up pasta, wine, or song anytime soon. I’ve been a party girl from way back and though the party ends a little earlier these days, I plan to carry on.  However, as I find myself at fifty, I have vowed to turn over a new leaf or two. A few days a week I vow to join the ranks of the peddlers and steppers. I pledge to move this old bod of mine a bit more often as we strut to the oldies, run in circles, climb stairs and ride bikes that go nowhere. Who knows, maybe I’ll even grow to like it.

Probably not.

Ten Things I Know For Sure

As I wind down the path to fifty, there are a few things that I have learned along the way that deserve a word or two. The messages that ring true at twenty are less enduring at thirty, forty and fifty…. Less drama more pajama, that is my mantra. We old folks love to share our gems of wisdom, so here goes. The top ten things that I know for sure are:

Number One: It is almost never that big of a deal. I look back on many of the things that may have upset me in the past and I realize how trivial they now seem.

Number Two: Don’t worry about what other people think. There is an old expression that goes something like this. ”You would spend less time worrying about what other people thought of you, if you only realized how seldom they actually do.”

Number Three: Always take time to plant tomatoes. I wish that I had spent a lot less time chasing the dangling carrots and more time planting my own tomatoes. No matter how important you think you are to an organization, you can and will be replaced. There is always some eager beaver that will rise to the occasion.

Number Four: Ask for what you want. If you don’t, you may never get it. Speak up! Let it be known how you want to live, work, eat, vacation etc. No one will be a better advocate for you than you.

Number Five: Be comfortable with your own skin. Do take care when making choices. Some things like tattoos last forever, so if a mid-life crisis is on the horizon, it may be better to go for the massage, unless you are really sure you want what you think you want.

Number Six: Olive oil is better than butter. It is much healthier and it tastes better,that is unless you are making frosting. There are exceptions to every rule.

Number Seven: Better to have two desserts than six glasses of wine. You will feel much better in the morning and may actually save calories, if anyone is counting.

Number Eight: An orchestra is not needed when a piano solo will do. It is Ok to do just enough once in awhile. We can conserve our energy for when we really want to shine.

Number Nine: Even an ostrich is beautiful to another ostrich. Pick your style and go with it.

And finally……drum roll…..

Number Ten: Sometimes enough is really enough. Contentment is a valid emotion.