Skating Uphill - January 2020

“Is there such a word as ‘unmotivated?’
I’m just wondering!”
– The Uphill Skater –

2019 was very up and down for me. I do not mean just weight either. A week or so ago, I was so unmotivated to look to the future that I took my 2019 resolution list, and made the 1 into a 2 by putting a little curl on the top, and made the 9 into a 0 by filling in the empty space up the side. Can you picture it? It now looks like I have brand new resolutions for 2020 on the totally unmodified 2019 list, and I still have them shamelessly up on my fridge.

Well, times change, and something happened that actually got me motivated—Christmas! As soon as I went down to the basement to unpack the boxes, the world changed. I enjoyed putting up all of my decorations and then went to California to see my daughter for a week. Then returned home, and slowly, over the period of a week, I put things away and had quite a good time doing it. I looked at everything, re-loved it and saw it into its box. Strangely enough, this got me on the move. I checked out my old resolutions and still liked them so that was good. I figured I could just try it all again. I had stuff on the list that was good: write letters, eat less white sugar, call my friends, etc. those are good things, right? So, I just kept them, and I am ultra-motivated to do them. You know what they say about the second time around, right?

Happiness means you have picked something good to be motivated about. Just thinking about doing something that will make you happy is the best of all motivators. Try to recall a happy time, or think about a new thing that perhaps can move the “happy meter.”

One thing that makes me happy is cooking and finding yummy new dishes. I subscribe to several cooking magazines, so I am going to try something out of each one at least once a week. Motivation? Sure, eating pleasure and perhaps even compliments. I love compliments and consider them to be right up there with my top motivators.

This next one is one of those “If you can afford it” ideas. How about a little trip? To escape the cold, I was thinking of a small cruise. You can actually go on weekend cruises for a smaller price than you would think. If you do not like to cruise, how about just a getaway? Sometimes one night in a hotel with a pool and spa can do wonders for your outlook, even if it’s just in a different part of town. Other outlook improvers that can push that motivation button are very simple: Shop for a feel good “gig.” Giving of yourself can bring not just a good feeling, but actual joy! Help someone, get involved in a your favorite cause, pet a dog, or better yet adopt one. Do anything that makes you feel you have given yourself a forward push and makes you feel alive.

My greatest motivator is a very selfish one. I am into my personal health and well-being. Sometimes I feel I am getting pretty old, and my age is looking me stone-cold in the eye. On the other hand, I don’t feel I am done yet, if you get what I mean. I can only do more of the things I want to do if I am fit and well enough to do them. I make myself go to the doctor and get that flu shot and mammogram and discuss preventative medicine. I exercise and watch my weight. Perhaps that is my biggest battle, but not being able to breathe in my jeans for a whole day, or having to lie on my back to zip up a pair of pants, can motivate the hell out of both me and you!

Motivation is a funny and very personal emotion. Sometimes it lasts and sometimes it doesn’t, but if it is something that becomes a part of your life and value system, I promise your effort will be well worth it.

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Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and girls Club. Judith is also a long time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her BLOG www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.