Z j START SMALL & Go Big THE VIEW FROM HERE
BY EMILY MORRISON
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last ounce of enjoyment out of it. I’m not that bananas. Believe me. I’ve got plenty of bad habits that need kickin’ to the curb. Those daily donuts aren’t doing me any favors and neither are my bi-yearly trips to the plastic surgeon. Lord, save me from my next round of botox. So yeah, I’ve got some vices left to lose, but I can’t lose them all instantaneously. That’s just not how it works for me. Maybe you want to stop spending so much money, or losing so much time on social media or allowing that toxic person in your life to suck all the joy out of your existence. I get it. Namaste my friend. I see you. I am you. I’m here to tell you that you’ve got time. You don’t have to do it all at once because January has rolled around, and it’s time to “make a change” Michael Jackson. We’ve all been the man in the mirror before. Sometimes what you need is the idea and a few good days in a row to follow it. You start rolling that tiny snowball into a little snow belly, and then a snow body, and the next thing you know, you’re doing it. You’re making winter wonders happen all by yourself. These days, my New Year’s resolutions have less to do with running miles on the road and more with spending time with my family, saying less swears and more prayers and taking care of my doggos. Plus, I want to learn yoga and write a memoir. Nothing too big or extravagant. Basically, I want to be a better human, one who believes in the beauty of change and growth and helps others believe it too. So, start slow and low and get going. Who knows? Sixteen years from now you might find yourself running everyday, hydrating with water instead of wine and living on plant protein. Whatever your Grape Nuts are, go grab ‘em and start squeezing small changes into your life today.
PHOTO: ©RICKA_KINAMOTO/ ADOBE STOCK
I’VE NEVER BEEN BIG on keeping New Year’s resolutions. Sure, I can come up with them, but I can’t seem to see them through. For starters, I’m lousy at planning and self-discipline (two traits sorta essential for change). I could lie and say I’m great at follow-through, but the truth is, I’ve always been the “idea” girl, not the “get ’er done” guy. Because of this, I tend to make little changes that, if I stick with long enough, become big changes. For instance, sixteen years ago I felt super unhealthy. I’d had a couple of babies back-to-back, and my post-baby body looked like my mid-baby body (halfway through pregnancy when people can’t tell whether you have a raging beer belly or a small human inside of you). Emotionally, I was a hot mess. I couldn’t get control of my fluctuating moods, what with all the sleep deprivation, coffee consumption and wine guzzling. So, instead of continuing to ride the stimulant-depressant rollercoaster, I started running. At first, all I could manage was a few laps in the driveway. Then I did a few more. And a few more. Slow and steady won the race and before a year went by, I’d signed up for my first half-marathon. I survived 13.1 miles mostly unscathed, so I began training for a full marathon (26.2 miles). Surprisingly, I survived that too. So I signed up for another full. Then another. Since then, I’ve run five half- and three full-marathons. In between training for races I run four miles a day to maintain my base. But, if someone had told me sixteen years ago that I’d finish eight marathons and run four miles daily for fun, I’d have laughed in her face. Nor would I have fathomed that five years ago this February would be my last drink of white zinfandel. Or that a year ago this January I’d have my last meal with meat in it. Now, I’m not telling you this to come across as some health guru who’s grabbed life by the Grape Nuts and squeezed every
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EMILY MORRISON is a high school English teacher, freelance writer and editor from coastal Maine. She is living happily-ever-after with her handsome husband, three beautiful children and two beloved dogs. And a cat.
