A recurring theme in my life is “letting go.”

I don’t know if it is my fascination with everything I used to find in my grandparents’ basement as a child, or the amount of time I spent growing up there, but I have this collector mentality.

Only recently I have discovered purging. Sure, many of the books I’ve read on decluttering your life have attempted to drive this point home. Then there’s George Clooney’s character from Up in the Air asking “What’s in your backpack?”

While his character is ultimately portrayed as flawed, I think there is tremendous value in living like he does.

People are wired to want things. Want to possess things. Want to collect things. As if there is a magical amount that will lead to happiness.

No, this isn’t about money. I still firmly believe money can buy happiness and freedom. Just not in the way most people do. Not in the ability to own more things.

Experiences, on the other hand... that’s something money can buy. Or, at the very least, free up our time to... well... experience.

Work to live, instead of living to work.

It’s time to let go of living a mediocre life.

I deserve nothing less. The ladies in my life deserve nothing less.

What i'm listening to:

Room to Move
Animotion
Animotion

Today marks my return to the gym.

How long has it been? Honestly, I do not know... probably about five years. Too long.

In the interim, there has been an occasional yoga class, and walks along the trails, yet nothing regular or concrete.

However, utilizing my old workout notebook, I was pleased to find I was able to return to my baseline weights and reps. As my former trainer used to say, your body remembers.

At least I’m moving forward. It’s long past time I should be taking care of myself. Yes, I’d like to get into the cult of crossfit*, but I felt it was necessary to join a gym and commit to my former training regimen first... to ensure I will stick with it before agreeing to something more expensive—and ass-kicking.

I have also begun new lifestyle product. I’ve chosen not to share which one, as I’d like to see how it goes before I begin promoting it... if I choose to at all. I will say that my naps are fewer and less frequent, and my appetite is definitely reduced.

Hell, I couldn’t even finish yesterday’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Then there’s Dr Pepper... what have you done to me? We shall see.

Hopefully these steps will help my discover my joie de vivre. I definitely deserve it, as well do all of the ladies in my life.

One moment at a time. Shoulder day is finished, it’s time to run home and take care of a few projects there.

What i'm listening to:

Are We in Love Yet?
Shakespear's Sister
Hormonally Yours

What do you want?

This is the question that has plagued me for weeks. Months. Years. Decades? Eons?

Well, I’m figuring it out. Thanks to my crazy, fickle, Italian girl, I’m figuring it out.

And thanks to this book. Easily the best book I have ever read. It’s not often a book inspires me to become the character within... but this one does.

I want to be a student of women.

I already have this effect on women. I’m too easy to fall in love with.

Until they get to know me, then I’m even easier to fall out of love with. Yet, I can fix that.

All I need to do is focus on my breathing, get out of my head, and be aware and present. It really is that simple.

Of course, that doesn’t necessarily translate into easy.

I have to believe that it is not too late. I have to believe that this old dog can learn new tricks. I have to believe that after a lifetime, yes LIFETIME, of thinking about every little thing I can focus on her. On what’s going on around us.

All women will know and appreciate the new me. Charming and delightful? You bet your ass!

I will become her fantasy.

After all, if she isn’t fantasizing about me... why isn’t she?

The answer to that question tells me what I need to fix in my life.

Let’s dig in.

What i'm listening to:

Mea Culpa
Enigma
MCMXC a.d.