Last year about this time, I sat contemplating whether or not I was going to set New Years Resolutions. What I ended up with was my 20-11 List: twenty things I wanted more of, and eleven things I wanted less of. A smart list, if I say it myself, and reviewing it throughout the year, one that helped me keep the important things important.
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I suppose I’ve always smelled faintly of chlorine. I learned to swim when I was four, and joined the swim team at seven. I swam competitively for 10 years, retiring from racing after high school. And I’ve managed to stay in the pool since.
The difference between my workouts then and now is counting. When you’re prepping for the next meet, yardage is important. When you’re following the black line on the bottom of the pool to just stay in shape, yardage isn’t as important as whether or not you’re hitting your training heart rate. Some days I count laps, some days I don’t. I find I’m more motivated, and feel better about my workout, on the days I count. There’s a greater sense of accomplishment when I *know* I’ve put in a mile, instead of guesstimating I have done. Apparently, Coach, that training is a hard habit to break!
It dawned on me a couple days before Christmas that my morning workout is a good analogy for the rest of my life. I’m more motivated, and pay better attention when I’m counting. And I definitely don’t pay as much attention to the stuff I don’t count.
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So here’s my 2012 List: Things to count. And not to count.
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Count
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Expressing gratitude
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– Acknowledging,
in the moment, when someone does something I appreciate – Saying
“please” and “thank you” |
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Precious face-time with my family and friends
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– Family
dinners – Inside
jokes – Crazy
capers from which legend is borne – Puppy
kisses – See
also “celebrations,” “laughter, “gratitude” |
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Snail mail
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– Sent
… being tangible with family and friends across the miles – Received
… that isn’t a solicitation or a bill! |
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Healthy habits
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– Calories
burned – Miles
swum – Walks
with friends – Walks
with the 4-leggeds – See
also “laughter” – Mental
health breaks: see also “moto,” “face-time” |
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Accomplishment
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– Finished
projects – Good
books – Permission
to abandon old stuff |
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Celebrations
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– High
fives – Happy
dances – See
also “face-time” |
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Laughter
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– Giggles
– Chortles
– Guffaws
– Snorts!
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Moto rides!!!
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– Camping
trips – Wandering
to nowhere particular – See
also “healthy habits” |
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Photo ops
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– Sunrises,
sunsets – Ocean,
mountains, rivers, valleys – Dogs,
cats, kids, cows – Face-time
with friends – Celebrations,
accomplishment – Moments
that memories are made of (and legend, too) |
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Not Count
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The number of times it is “my turn” to talk
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When a friend has the floor … be still, and listen
between the words (it’s what I hope they’d do for me) |
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When I don’t get my own way
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In 5 years, will it really be important anyway?
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Being right
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Quarreling takes too much energy, and there never
are any real winners |
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Minor personal inconvenience
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Especially if it’s while being of service to someone
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Unanticipated change in plans
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Often, the best adventures are unplanned. Definitely
don’t count if it’s family/friends changing it up. |
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How often I’m sent “up over” or “down under”
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Being the young bendy one in the family means I’m
climbing the ladder or crawling under the house to do…something I’d probably rather not. But, it’s precious time and relationship maintenance with my old people I wouldn’t trade for anything. Count under “face-time” and “accomplishment.” |
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Rainy days
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It’s Oregon after all. It rains here. But it means
fabulous green stuff and gorgeous blooming things. |
