105: Commitment

(Sunset by the frozen reflection pool near the U.S. Capitol Building.  Washington, D.C.)

It’s been kind of a crazy day today.  It feels like I’ve been trying to catch up with myself all morning and into the afternoon.  I finally took a few deep breaths and decided to start where I am and work from there.  Really, there is nothing else I could do except stress over it and what’s the point in that?

(Same as above, different angle.)

Today’s outdoor time was all about running errands and doing chores.  The only photo I have for you in regards to today’s outdoor time is the daily view of the pond:

We had some flurries overnight and into the morning.  The ice on the pond is now snow covered.  This is bad for ice skating as the snow will likely to stick to the ice.  If the ice was a little thicker (therefore safe to walk upon), we could go out and shovel off some of the snow.  But since the thaw, it hasn’t been cold enough for long enough to make the ice safe for human foot traffic.  Some of the animals, however, have found it perfectly safe and are leaving their little tracks all over the place.

I resolve…

To continue to honor my 365 commitment to step outside and enjoy the great outdoors every day.

(Trees at the edge of the meadow.  Taken yesterday.)

Some of you might be thinking I’m cheating with this one.  Stacking the deck, as they say.  Maybe.  But not entirely.  You see, I’ve learned that with some long-term commitments it’s a good idea to re-commit every now and then.  This is especially true with promises I make to myself that involve things that will (seemingly) not affect others if I should decide to give up.

When I quit smoking I had to recommit every day for pretty much the entire first year.  The first year is the hardest, no matter what the so-called experts say.  It takes that long to come around to a new state of “normal.”  I think that’s because it takes that long to cycle through most of the circumstances a smoker normally associates with smoking.  The first winter of being an ex-smoker is different than the first summer.  Or spring or fall, for that matter. The first year of quitting smoking is a year of many firsts.  Exciting, if you look at it in a positive way.  Recommitting daily helps most on those days when it doesn’t seem exciting, and positive thoughts are difficult to find.

I still recommit to my Quit every now and then, usually when I feel the urge or craving to light up and take a few puffs.  The recommit keeps me from following through on those urges or cravings.

(Visually climbing the tree.  Taken yesterday.)

Anyhow.  I have decided to start applying that lesson of recommitting to other commitments I make, especially those of the self-improvement variety.  My outdoor commitment is a good place to start as it has brought with it self-improvement side-effects including (but not limited to) those benefits I get from exercise, fresh air, sunlight (for that all-important Vitamin D), and stress relief.  Bonus:  Some of the blustery and cold days can be more invigorating than caffeine, helping me cut back on my tea intake.

I have 260 days to go with this commitment.  Hopefully recommitting from time to time will keep me moving forward with it.