Redirect Your Intention

I just returned from the Weight Watchers cruise to the Caribbean. Yes, I know how lucky I am to work on a ship.  I was surrounded by 500 fun-seeking members, eleven talented leaders and a highly skilled team from Corporate Headquarters--to say nothing of the warm sunshine, fun activities and delicious meals all pointed out.  I must say, under these circumstances, it was easy to follow the WW plan.  Yes, there were temptations, but having so many like-minded people in pursuit of more health, more fitness, more friendship, it made it feel easier. 

This was but one week of the year, and to be sure, it was not a typical week for any of us.  Most of the time, we are at home, working the WW plan on our own, counting points, planning meals and snacks and trying to make the day go well.  Stress from work, family, expectations, etc. can get in the way and complicate our choices.  It is precisely for these reasons that we sometimes find ourselves off track.  At these moments, the helpful habits have gone to sleep.  The unhelpful habits have revived, and the scale starts creeping up.

This is precisely when we redirect our intention.  We examine our thoughts and tease out the unhelpful thoughts.  We talk to a friend and create an accountability partner to keep us honest.  We go back to tracking.  We return to the meeting and share this challenge with the group.  In short, we are humbled. 

You and I are mere mortals in the game of life.  That means that sometimes things will go well and sometimes they just won't.  The beauty of living a healthy life is that we get to create it moment by moment.  There are so many choices coming our way, so that as long as they are mostly right, most of the time, we are in the sweet spot that leads to success.  And, on the other hand, when we realize we are not playing by the rules, we can simply right our course and redirect, turn around and begin again.  It's a five minute walk and a glass of water away.  That's how basic and simple redirecting can be.  No criticism, no judgment, no shame--just gently redirect your intention where you'd really like it to go. 

It is a life skill to recover from setbacks and get over your bruised ego.  We become more agile at this the more often we practice this.  A healthy life is hopefully a long one.  There will be twists and turns along the way.  No matter, we have to show up for our lives.  It feels good.  It looks good on us.  It makes us happy.  That's a life worth living.