Mind The Gap

There is something unique about that feeling you get with the start of a new year. I know it sounds cliche but I really do believe that January 1 gives us the opportunity to start over again. It's interesting that the chaos of the holiday's ends abruptly and we're given a brand new year to set the plan and get to work. The mistakes and sub-par behavior of the year before get washed away and 2007 can be the year that we plant the seeds for change. It's that time of year when everyone's glass gets filled to the brim. So why is it so hard for so many of us to sustain this vigor and enthusiasm beyond the first few months of the year?

I think that most of us know deep inside that we're two people. The person we are right now, and the one we'd like to be in the future. We all have dreams, desires and aspirations that create thoughts and feelings that are nurtured by taking action. Our thoughts become things and events and these things and events become our history. Going from who we are to who we want to be requires minding the gap between the two. Choice and time provide results within the gap. Most of us would like to improve as we get older, but in most cases the opposite occurs. Too often we settle for the status quo and end up living lives of quiet desperation. Look around and tell me it's not true.

With every passing year creating positive and permanent change gets harder and harder. Teaching old dogs new tricks that stick often requires cleaning out the doghouse. I'm taking about how important it is to make a conscious shift in your approach to life. This shift needs to look and feel honest and authentic. You must believe it and trust it in your core. You have to turn off the old negative noise floating around in your head and free yourself of all the naysayers and non-believers. Any ties to ill advised past behavior will be extremely detrimental to your ability to close the gap. This is scary life altering stuff and it's not for the weak at heart. If closing the gap was a simple and fast task then the journey wouldn't be worth it.

The one thing I've learned in 24 years of helping people get fit and healthy, is that this journey called life provides endless opportunities to mind the gap. Living in the past, the future and for others is surely a trap that will swallow you alive. As long as we stay wide eyed, flexible, curious and patient, this earth is our playground. Each and every moment can be precious and spectacular. Stay in the moment and surround yourself with loving supportive people who understand and accept your journey. If you can do that then you become the person you'd like to be.