Ups and Downs

No surprise to be told that life is full of ups and downs, that life can throw us a curve ball just when things are going great or that life isn’t fair.  We can listen and understand clichés and platitudes but when it comes around to handling the situation, then it’s not always as easy as when we counsel others to “hang in there” and “this too shall pass”. 

       What I have noticed in the last few years that the first three months of a new year seem to be harder for me to handle.  I recognized it about three years ago and I am almost certain that it has to do with sun deprivation as well as lack of fresh air since I hide indoors pretty much from January until April.  Last night while I was tossing and turning in bed I thought “life isn’t a rehearsal” anymore, I can’t keep telling myself that I am going to get out more once I retire.  For heavens sake – that could be 10 years from now so if I want to start enjoying winter sports I am going to have to do it now.  I’m not getting any younger, life is too short, and what other clichés can I throw out there.

       Like everyone else, I am expert at coming up with excuses for not doing something I really don’t want to do.  But when I start finding myself worrying about depression and staying in the doldrums it’s time to ditch the excuses and come up with A Plan.  That frightful word “plan” causes me some concerns because when I create a plan, I get attached to The Plan, and when The Plan goes south, I get frazzled, frustrated and infuriated.I think I’ve told the story before, about how I came up with a financial plan that lasted about three months before everything that could possibly go wrong (and would cost money) went wrong, and cost money.  So much for That Plan.  After a few of those screwy plans I rather have given up on planning too much.

       Alright, not completely true.  Of course I have plans, but they are not the chiselled in stone kind of plans that I used to make.  Now they are a little more loose (especially when it has to do with exercise).  But it’s time to get harsh with myself and kick myself out of doors on a regular basis between January and April.  I must do it, like the American mailman, come rain or hail or dark of night.

       So here’s for another walk in the cold and wind.  I’m getting me some vitamin D.