Time to Make Changes

Robin Botie of Ithaca, New York, Photoshops her inherited Havanese dog into a statue.“It’s a New Year, Suki,” I said to my dog, “and we’re gonna make some changes around here.” I tell all my ideas to my sweet, inherited dog. Cocking her head east and west, she listens.

“First of all, we’re going to clear out every cabinet and closet. And we’re gonna give away or get rid of whatever doesn’t give us joy. We’re gonna reinvent ourselves. The Internet is bursting with advice on how to change our lives. Our attitudes, our outlook, it all has to improve. I mean, who are we now? Where are we going? We need to start seeing ourselves in a different way. Be bold. No more concealing our feelings. We’re going to speak our minds more, and talk about our girl Marika more. We’re done hiding at home, gorging on cake. We’ll eat less and exercise more. We’ll play more. Read more. We need to laugh more, and sleep more. Yeah. You and me. Big changes. We’re gonna get up every morning at six and hike five times a week, even in the snow. What do you think, Suki? Can we do this?”

“Suki?”

 

You can reinvent your life but can you reinvent your self?

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15 thoughts on “Time to Make Changes

  1. kimberly ryan

    I love this post Robin. You are bang on in that the beginning of a new year is a timely and organized way of creating or re creating oneself since it might be easier to track progress in terms of the clock and calendar.

    Although difficult to sustain a “change” of any kind, especially one that points in the direction of eating less cake. teehee, it is all doable, that i know to be true. Last year, I started my change and on Dec. 27th, joined a gym with the goal to exercise more, eat less “junk” and “feel better, gain more energy ” and all that good stuff. and it worked! I did it, to date, my body is trimmer and stronger, and I’ve been able to maintain the routine of getting to classes, or just free wheelin it on my own almost daily. What helped me to sustain the “drudgery” of the ol “workingout” routine was not making it a routine. I do a different class or work out routine every day, including weights, swim, spin bike, tread mill, or rowing machine, or a combo of all. In addition, seeing and feeling the overall betterment of my almost 60 body which in turn was producing the side effect of a almost 60 healthier mind as well. I felt inspired and grateful as each season rolled around and my clothes were more loose fitting, and I could feel the inner workings of my physical machine gaining strength and dexterity, it felt like a turning back of the clock if only physically, and that definitely contributed to my forging ahead onward and upward every day.
    Six years in as a bereaved parent, I needed to know that I could accomplish this to keep my mind and emotions healthy as well. So I also attended a 10 week mindfulness course 3 hours weekly and drove an hour to get to it, But that too, attributed to my overall goal to “feel better” in 2015.
    So between the physical and the mental, I am now more stronger, more focused and more sure of myself and that all combined feels spectacular.
    wishing all of you who choose to make a life change for 2016 inspiration and dedication to the dream you choose …Namaste, kimberly.

    Reply
    1. Robin Botie Post author

      Whoa, Kimberly – You are amazing! That is a lot of activity. A lot of variety. And I’ve been thoughtlessly doing only the eliptical machine as I watch the TV overhead at the gym. Maybe – maybe I could try something like this. I do go to the gym the days I don’t hike but you’ve inspired me to step up my commitment. There are yoga classes and all sorts of aerobic things going on. In February, when I’m done with the current revising of my manuscript, I’m now considering spending more time and energy at the gym. I want to “feel better” too. I believe you’re right in that being good to the body is being good to the mind. Can’t wait to test this out. Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Elaine Mansfield

    I’m laughing. Willow likes more snow hikes and more treats and please more of those deer legs she found a month ago. I can’t find an ounce of reform energy in me this New Year. Maybe it will come rolling in at Imbolc. There is always hope. Thanks for making me happy.

    Reply
    1. Robin Botie Post author

      Thanks for making me look up Imbolc. Another thing to celebrate and be joyful over. Is February 1st really halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox? Seems like we’re being overly optimistic, rushing things – February 1? Okay, always hope. And hope is fueled by light. And I am grateful for every little bit more of light we get as we get through January. Wishing you some Imbolc-inspired energy. Cheers!

      Reply
      1. Elaine Mansfield

        Imbolc, as far as I know, is the sprouting of the seeds–underground, in the dark. Roots awakening. Plants stirring. Sap running. All hidden, but daylight increases quickly after this date.

        Reply
  3. Joann Giovannone (Jo)

    Robin, what I’ve been trying to do the past 4 years is choosing a “word” to define what I want throughout the new year. This year, my chosen word is “Healing” in all forms, inside and out. That is the goal I’m striving to achieve in 2016. Wish me luck 🙂 Nice post!

    Reply
    1. Robin Botie Post author

      What a great idea, Joann. I wonder what word I could choose for the year? You are gutsy taking on “Healing.” That sounds like a lifelong project to me, if it is even at all possible. Just trying to define “Healing” could keep you pretty busy. So I’m wishing you luck but I’m also wondering how you will measure or be able to say how you are meeting your goal. Lots to consider there. But you do like the striving and I admire you for that. Okay, I think I just came up with my word: Emptying. In all its forms, inside and out. Thanks for the inspiration.

      Reply
  4. susanb

    Ha! I’m all over your enthusiasm Robin. Me too. Great post. We’ll tackle 2016 with the hearts of lions. You Go Girl ♡

    Reply
    1. Robin Botie Post author

      Uh – with hearts of lions? Who me? Susan, YOU get to be the lion when it comes to change and new things. I’m afraid I’m just – afraid. Of a lot. Enthusiastic, yes. But I’m dipping into the new year one little toe at a time. Go Girl, yes. But you get to lead the way. Cheers!

      Reply
  5. Lynne Taetzsch

    We love you just the way you are, Marika. Be kind to yourself!

    I know this post was kinda tongue-in-cheek. Haven’t we all tried to reinvent our lives and ourselves? I’m working on acceptance these days.

    Reply
    1. Robin Botie Post author

      Acceptance is next on my list, I think, Lynne. My problem is to distinguish between what I should accept and what I should change. Maybe it depends on balance, which was never one of my strong traits. Cheers!

      Reply
  6. Robert

    I suspect you’ll find Suki under your bed saying “forget the 6am snow hikes, where’s the cake?”

    Reply
    1. Robin Botie Post author

      You’re almost right. Suki would never have anything to do with the underside of the bed. She buries herself under the blankets on these cold early mornings, dreaming of cake and steaks, I’m sure. Cheers!

      Reply

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