Mileposts in the Distance – A particular space in time

Note from Stacey: Every Thursday we’re thrilled to offer Laura’s Mileposts in the Distance column.

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. ~ Omar Khayyam

That quote coincided with a satisfying drop on the scale this week. I was doing a mental happy dance at the number that’s eluded me for a few weeks now, despite all evidence that eating well and consistent workouts are contributing to the reshaping adventure. There are some smaller clothes in the closet, there’s a feeling of walking taller, all of which I know intellectually are good for me, but sometimes you just need to see the success on a digital readout.

Truly, though, the number doesn’t matter – except when it does.

After my morning ritual, I opened up my homepage to be greeted by Omar. I thought the quote was spot on for this morning, but it also made me think. Was this moment, wrapped around a number that would change as soon as I had a cup of coffee, really my life? Well, yes, it was at that time. Then I let go of that moment and accepted the next one – which did indeed involve coffee. And then the next one which involved writing some emails. And then the next one which involved packing for a few days to be spent in the north.

But I went back to that moment – the happy number moment. In the past, that particular victorious moment would have had me planning how many cookies I could have that day because, after all, I had learned all I needed to know about good eating. I would have said self-righteously that I could eat bread without seeing any ill effect on my body or brain – because look (!) I hit that number.

This time, however, the happy number moment made me plan things from a small shopping trip to buy a pretty something as a reward to how I would eat and workout on the road. There was no anxiety about any of it, just a considered approach to the new way of eating and treating myself that I’ve learned to embrace since the beginning of December.

And there it was – the moment. I was happy in the knowledge for that moment in time I had it all together – body, heart and mind. That is my life. That string of moments when I feel the balance, accept it, savor it and add it to the sum.

Now to get on the road.

Laura Reeth lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with the man of her dreams. With kids off at college, she no longer plays the role of active, day-to-day parent, and has moved into the complex understanding-parent-of-nearly-adult-children role. The main difference is she gets more sleep now.

Tagged as: Creating Balance, life balance