Two Promises to My Muse

“Give a man health and a course to steer, and he'll never stop to trouble about whether he's happy or not.”

George Bernard Shaw

“You know, all that really matters is that the people you love are happy and healthy. Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae.”

Paul Walker

“If you're happy, if you're feeling good, then nothing else matters.”

Robin Wright

Dear Muse,

The following letter I do not write lightly or carelessly.  I’ve given this some thought and in writing this, I am giving it more thought.  I am going to make two promises to you.  I decided on these promises over the last 28 hours after being hit with a horrible case of vertigo and being sick to my stomach.  I was lying in the back of my car and realizing that all my hopes and dreams and plans were going to be useless and impossible if I don’t make these promises.   I realized, lying in the back seat of my car, unable to get warm, that I no longer cared about money or goals.  I just wanted to feel good again.

So here are my promises:

First, I’m going to exercise every day.  This doesn’t have to be intense.  I think I will start off by walking for 30 minutes a day.  Perhaps I’ll take up running again.  Who knows?  I don’t want a lot of stress attached to my exercise.  I know when I was running regularly I got a lot done and usually felt great.  Then I blew my knee out on a three-day sixty-mile walk, so I’m not sure if I can run again.

Here’s the thing.  Yesterday, after running only a few feet, I was out of breath.  Then trying to carry something to my place was more difficult than it should have been.  Besides being stronger and having more endurance, I think regular exercise will give me the following benefits. 

·      I will have more energy.

·      I will be able to concentrate better.

·      I will get more done.

·      I will sleep better.

·      I will eat better.

·      I will be calmer.

So, starting tonight, after finishing this blog, I’m going to walk for 30 minutes.  And then I’m going to walk every day for at least 30 minutes.  No matter what.  I’m going to put this priority ahead of everything else, because I never want to feel that bad again.

My second promise is to get a medical check up.  I’m going to do the whole thing.  Cholesterol, colon, bladder, everything.  I’m also going to go to the dentist, which I dread.  But I’m going to do it because I have work that needs to be done.  I will make my appointments this week.  I’m tired of fear. 

I am making these promises because I want to live a long, healthy and happy life, one without fear, without illness and without unnecessary obstacles.  I want to spend that life with you.  I want it to be long and healthy, not long and unhealthy. If I take care of myself, then I’m taking care of us.  In addition, I think I have some thing to contribute to the world and I can’t contribute if I’m sick or dead.  I also know that you are depending on me to deliver a message that only I can deliver.  You are depending on me to take care of us and of the work and life you have only for and with me.

So now that I’m done with this letter, I’m going to Get Started and Keep Going…with a nice brisk walk.