The Importance of Rest

As much as I am an advocate of constantly working towards becoming one step closer to achieving your goals, I'm also a strong believer in finding time to recharge your batteries. It's impossible to keep going and going without eventually burning yourself out. Unfortunately, we don't run like the Duracell bunny. We're human. We can only go so long and so far until we hit our breaking point.

So, the point of today's post is to remind you to find time for yourself. If you don't have time, make time. Rest and recovery are as equally important as the steps you take in actively becoming a stronger version of yourself. Everyone has their own ways of recharging. Some meditate, or go for long drives, or hang out with friends. For me, it's all about finding complete solitude. It's about isolating myself and being able to hear myself think. I'm very much an introverted individual, and sometimes, it becomes overwhelming and draining to have to spend so much time around many different people. I guess that's one of the reasons why I love working out, and running in particular. It's just another opportunity for me to be alone, and to fully reconnect with myself.

Anyways, I'm going to keep this post short. Just remember that even when you feel like you have a million things to do, always try to make time for yourself. Nothing-- no goal, no accomplishment, no desire, can ever be so important that you need to sacrifice your own well-being.

Until next time,

C

Making Time For What's Important

It's no secret that many people often complain that they cannot find the time to exercise-- that they cannot find the time to work towards their fitness/health goals. This is a valid argument, especially for those struggling to make ends meet. However, that is still nothing more than an excuse. Think about why so much time is dedicated to working. For most, it's because of the end goal-- money. So it would be safe to say that people spend so much time working because of how much they prioritize money. Now, if you were to apply that same ideal to fitness, wouldn't you get the same result? In other words, what if you just shifted your priorities around? You're still going to have the same number of hours a day, but it's how you spend that time that makes a difference. The only way you'll have time is if you make time. But of course, who's going to make time for something they do not find important? No one.

The key to prioritizing is spending the time to figure out what you want. I'm not here to tell you what to do. Rather, I just want to offer ideas/suggestions for you to consider. Figure out if leading a healthy, fit life is what you want. Think about how such a lifestyle would affect you. And realize that you need your mind to believe these things before you will actually stick to it.

If you decide that this is what you want, then make a plan. You need to write down how you're going to break up your time, ie how you're going to reach your goals. The most important part of having a plan is to be able to hold yourself accountable. It doesn't matter if you don't feel like carrying out the plan, you need to do it anyways. There's a saying that most people fail right before they succeed, and that's true. People quit when the going gets tough, or when they "don't feel like it" anymore. But you can't do that. You need to put in the work, and know that it will pay off. Just trust the process. Trust that each time you complete a single step in you plan, you are that much closer to reaching your goal.

As I've mentioned in my last post, things are pretty busy on my end, and will be this way for the next 5-6 months. But I've made a plan, and I've been executing this plan. So the following is what my 7-day week looks like.

Anyways, I hope this gives you an idea of how to make a proper schedule/plan that will ultimately guide you in achieving your goals.

Until next time,

C

Update

Life has been pretty hectic lately. From working 40 hours a week, to volunteering, to working out 4 times a week, to studying for my LSAT, to trying to get in a decent number of hours of sleep an night;  I'd say my schedule is pretty jammed pack. I'm not complaining though. Amidst the seemingly shorter days, I know that sticking to my prescribed routine will require a lot of discipline. It's not easy going to bed when the sun is still out, or to sit in an office when you know you could be at the beach. But that's all part of being disciplined, and staying true to your commitments. And of course, it's also about realizing that there are going to be times when you do things not because you want to, but because you need to. It's about doing the right things in order to get to where you want to be.

This idea of discipline and remaining committed has been discussed in my post "The Lack of Motivation is an Excuse for the Weak." So because of that, I'm not going to get into that again.

I guess the point of this post is to provide a little bit of an update. I haven't posted since I started my new job, so thought it was about time.

And I'll leave you with this quote:

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life" 

-- Charles Darwin

Stay busy, and keep trying to improve yourself each and every day.

Until next time,

C

The Lack of Motivation is an Excuse for the Weak

I often get asked how I stay so disciplined in terms of eating healthy and exercising regularly. The secret to this, which really isn't a secret, is my commitment to this lifestyle. I believe that one of the purposes in life is to become the strongest version of yourself-- mentally, emotionally, physiologically and physically. And because of this belief and my passion to achieve this, I am committed and dedicated to rolling my sleeves up and putting in the work. The key words here are "committed" and "dedicated."

Commitment and dedication to achieving your goals is the only way you'll ever succeed.

There is often a lot of talk about needing motivation, be to obtain it from people, events, music, you name it. And yes, motivation is important to get you started. You have to want it. However, motivation is not what keeps you going. Commitment and dedication is.

I frequently hear people complaining about having a lack of motivation to workout, or a lack of motivation to put in the work to reach their goals. But that's nothing more than an excuse to justify the reason they're failing. You don't need to be motivated 24/7. If that was the case, nobody would ever achieve anything. Rather, you need to visualize your end goal, and understand why you're putting yourself through this struggle. If you can't figure that out, there is no way you're going to stick with it.

For myself, I've always been a competitive person who strives to be better than everyone else. But about three months ago, something in me clicked and I realized that I wanted to be better. I no longer wanted to only beat others, I wanted to beat myself. I wanted to hammer the weak out of me, so to speak. This does not just encompass being physically fit, but also mentally, emotionally, and physiologically as well. I wanted to further challenge myself. I wanted to push myself beyond the realms of what I think I'm capable of and into what I never knew I was capable of. I want to become the strongest possible version of myself. That's the goal. That's the reason why I am committed to this lifestyle.

With that in mind, there are obviously times when I don't feel like working out, or when I would rather opt for unhealthy choices. But because I am committed to this process, and I am dedicated to constant self-improvement, I resist these temptations. There have been cold and rainy mornings where my body ached, and I couldn't mentally convince myself to want to get out of bed and to want to put myself through a gruelling workout that I know is going to be tough. But I do it anyways. When you're committed to something, it means doing it even when you don't feel like it. It means putting aside your feelings, and getting it done.

So yes, I think the cry for the need for "motivation" to workout, or to achieve anything in life, is an excuse made by the weak-- it is a cop out.

I hope you all have something you're striving for. But no matter what, don't give up. Don't cop out. If you're going to do something, give it your all. Otherwise, there's really no point starting in the first place.

Until next time,

C

Unpacked: Powerscore LSAT Bibles

After much anticipation, my Powerscore LSAT Bible Trilogy finally arrived earlier today! It took exactly one week, so good job Amazon.ca for being on time!  

Anyways, I just thought I would share that, and I guess I'll have to start digging away at the material. It's been suggested that the best way to study for the LSAT is to be around it a lot. So that's exactly what I plan on doing for the next 8 months. I'm aiming for the February test, so we'll see how it goes.

If you are currently studying for the LSAT, planning on taking it, or have already taken it, let me know! I want to get connected with you all!

Well, until next time.

C

PS if you're trying to decide which LSAT books to buy, I've been told by a few that the Powerscore bibles are the way to go. If you can't find any used ones (much like how I wasn't able to), then check out Amazon. I got all three books for $135. PLUS there were no shipping/handling fees! If I had purchased these three books off of the Powerscore website, it would've costed $145, and that's not even factoring taxes or shipping/handling fees. The following is going to be an expensive ride, so gotta save where you can! 

Mom Rant

My mother drives me insane.

I'm guessing that I'm probably not alone in that sentiment. I love her, I really do. But there are times when I feel like I have to consciously remind myself of that just to keep my anger from boiling over. I know she cares, and I know she just wants what's best for me, but there are certain things that I cannot stand.

The main one is the fact that she just doesn't listen. She would ask questions, but she never stops to hear what the answer is. It really bugs me, and often leads me to adopt a poor attitude, which really shouldn't happen. Unfortunately it does. And the more she doesn't listen, the less inclined I am to want to share things with her. It pushes me to not want to tell her things, or to delay giving her new information just so I could avoid, at least for a little while, having a conversation that just spins around in circles. I mean, that was one of the main reasons why I waited five hours before I finally told her about my job offer.

And another thing? She thinks she knows me. But she doesn't. That may sound harsh, but the fact is, no one really knows me. I keep to myself too much to let that happen. I'm too much of a private person for anyone to get close enough to understand who I really am. I guess part of that is on me. However, it still bugs me when she makes decisions on my behalf, or tells people things based on her assumptions about my reactions, etc. Again, I know she is trying to do what she thinks is best for me. But sometimes what she thinks is best is not what I think is best.

Regardless though, I still love her very much. She is probably one of the strongest and most selfless woman I know. She's amazing. And yes, there are things she does that annoys me, just like there are probably things that I do that annoy her, but I wouldn't change a thing about her. I know that the day these little things stop will be one of the worst days of my life. As much as it bugs me, it just wouldn't be the same without them-- it wouldn't be her. I honestly could not have asked for a better mother, and I can proudly say that I probably have one of the best mothers in the world-- if not the best.

Go tell your mother you love her. Give her a hug, a phone call, a visit. Because she's not going to be around forever.

Until next time.

C

Free Will or Determinism?

Hello again,

Today, I received an email for an employer that I have been waiting for for the past few months. In waiting, I had exhausted most of the options I had available to make this summer productive. However, I failed. And just when I accepted the reality that I was going to spend the next few months doing absolutely nothing, I got that email.

It's funny. I'm usually a very logical and rational person. I believe that, for the most part, I have the freedom to act in whichever way I please, and those actions dictate the subsequent consequences that will occur. However, there are times like these when I feel like I don't have that control-- times when I wonder if things are predetermined. I've taken a couple philosophy classes before, and no doubt the topic of free will vs determinism is something I am very interested in. However, it is also something I struggle to understand. So bear with me as I try to unravel my thoughts.

The situation above may not be the best example for explaining free will vs determinism, but it does touch upon it. I had done everything in my power to make this the summer that I can look back on and be proud of. I had look forward to gaining valuable work experience, and just learning. But when I failed to receive any indication that that was going to happen, I went out of my way to still try to achieve what I had set out to. I applied for jobs, I did my best to secure something-- anything. But that never happened. It's almost as if my efforts were wasted. I would even go as far as saying that perhaps I was bound to get that email, but not until that predetermined time. Yes, you can say that there are many actors and factors that may have contributed to why my efforts did not pan out, or why that email was delayed. But it does not change the possibility that everything that happens to us happens for a reason.

I guess it would be easy to claim that every time we do not get what we want that it is because things are predetermined, and that better things are going to come our way. That almost sounds foolish to me. Naive even. But if you look at it from a much deeper level, you begin to question whether everything that has happened to you has in fact happened because that's the way the world spins, or if those things have happened for a reason.

Take my parents' divorce, for example. I believe that the decision to separate was one of free will by the both of them. Or at least to some degree. However, I do not believe that the impact it had on me, or my brothers was one of free will. Everyone reacts to situations differently. For me, I started leading a life that I cannot even believe I did. Looking back, I cannot help but feel so blessed for having accomplished all that I have. If it were not for that breakdown, I would not have met some amazing people, I would not have become captain of my basketball team, I would not have won awards for my achievements... I could go on. I just would not be the person that I am. I understand that psychologists may say that it is because people respond differently-- some people flourish, and some people flop. I was one of the lucky ones. But can I truly attribute all that to myself? To my own free will? Probably not. The decision that propelled to where I ended up was my decision in grade 8 to try out for the volleyball team. I didn't even like volleyball, but I had been encouraged by a friend. I still wasn't sold on the idea, but I did it anyways. And from there, it slowly snowballed until I was in my final year of high school with lots of friends-- both peers and with administrators; and also academic and athletic achievements. I had it all. But if it were not for that one split decision, I would not have ended up where I was. So was that really free will? Did I just luck out? Or was all that planned? I guess I'll never know.

Well, that's enough pondering for now. Until next time.

C

REPOST: Like a Father (Dec. 2, 2010)

This is another repost from a while back. Just another story I'd like to share. 

"Everyone leaves footprints in your memory, but the ones that leave footprints in your heart are the ones you will truly remember."

- Nicholas Sperling

I finally found the time to visit my old high school principal today. He got transferred to another high school (from the one I graduated from) this year, and fortunately he stayed until I graduated last year. With the changes happening-- him changing schools and me graduating-- I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be to stay in touch. Today was the first time I've seen him in about six months. The last time I saw him, I had tears streaming down my face because the reality that my journey through high school-- the place that I've grown so accustomed to-- was ending. 

Today, as I sat in his new office, I began reminiscing about the good old days. We talked for over an hour and during that time we updated each other on our new environments, things about our families, our lives. It was so easy to talk to him, and it took me right back to before when I would sit in his office, just talking. He was such a big part of my high school experience, he made high school memorable. Not every principal takes the time out to really get to know their students, not every principal cares. I think the one thing that really stuck in my mind that he said today was that me leaving high school can be paralleled to me leaving his life. "It's like you've been kicked out of my life." At this moment that I am writing this, tears are filling my eyes because I know how true that is. I don't want it to be happening, but it is. I miss him so much. He is honestly one of the few people I can be completely truthful with, the only person that really understands me. I can't even properly explain the joy I felt in seeing him again, in finally having the chance to talk to him. There were so many things that were said, and it was at that moment that I knew I can't let him out of my life, I just can't.

My parents are divorced, and each have remarried. I have a father and a stepfather. But neither of them have truly embodied the role of a father figure as he has. I'm not saying that they're not incredible people, it's just not the same. Starting university and venturing off on a new life, with everything that he's taught me, is such an exciting thing to do. But at the same time, it makes me realize that we can't always look forward. In no means should be dwell on the past, but I have to remember that the past has made me who I am. That the past will always be a part of me. I don't want to let go of someone that I care about so deeply because I am too focused on reaching whatever my destination is in the future. He has done so much for me and my family, and I just don't want him out of my life.

It's amazing how one conversation can completely change my entire outlook. I know what I need to do, what and who I want in my life. I need to make the effort to make sure that he stays in my life because he's someone that I never want to lose. I want to see him sitting in the audience when I graduate from university, I want him to be at my wedding, I want to keep him in my life. After four years of knowing each other, from the time he served as our basketball sponsor in grade nine to being someone I appreciate so much now, I know deep down in my heart that he'll always be there. Regardless of if we lose touch for a while. But I don't want that. I want to keep in around for as long as I can.

This man. He's amazing. He's just like a father to me.

C

REPOST: It's just not worth it (Nov. 4, 2010)

I wrote this a couple years back on another blog, and I thought I'd repost it. It's a good read.

We all have those moments when we overreact, when we allow our emotions to blind our rationality. There are times when we think our lives are over because of what is going on. But when we look back on it, it never seems to be that big of a deal. It may even be silly. When I was seven years old, my parents got divorced. I didn't go over the stereotypical stages of anger, depression or rebellion. I just accepted it. But deep down, I know it hurt me. I've always been mature for my age, I've always been able to cope with the most unfavourable events. I don't think I really started to realize how my parents' divorce got to me until I grew older. I love both of my parents, and I just knew that getting separated was the best thing for them. And it has been. During this time, my world was being torn apart, my life was being reassembled. And what was happening somewhere else, in the same city, during this time? Someone was killed by a car. A kid.

I just learned that when my friend was seven, he saw his best friend dying in front of him. A seven year old. People die everyday, but the life of a child? The last breathe of a little boy expiring being witnessed by his friend? This was the point my friend was forced to grow up, the point he realized that life is so fragile. All the arguments that seven year olds have, all the joy, everything; it was taken from him that day. All the while I thought my life was falling apart, someone else's was, literally. At the same time my family separated and my life was torn in two, someone else was being permanently separated from his family and his life was over.

It just amazes me how selfish humans are. It's so cliche to say that we take things for granted, that we rarely appreciate all the people in front of us, but it's the truth. Does that fight really matter? Is money really an issue? Are you really willing to let things that are so insignificant compared to the sacredness of life slip by because you're too stubborn to see what is right in front of you? Sometimes, whatever it is that's going on, whatever problems are happening, whoever is being stupid, it's just not worth it. 

C

I'm Back.... Again.

Hello Internet friends,

I cannot believe it has been more than a year since I have last written a blog post. Time sure flies. I am back though. For real this time. I initially started this blog with the intention of focusing on running. But there's so much more to my life than that. I love health and fitness, but I'm also someone who is "always in her head." A "thinker" I've been told. So because I constantly have so many thoughts running through my mind-- sometimes insightful, mostly weird-- I think I'm going to start writing more. I mean, I already keep a journal, but it never hurts to share some of my thoughts with the world. Or the odd unknown who happens to accidentally stumble upon this page.

You know what's interesting though? I write as if I'm speaking to an audience. But in reality, this "audience" is probably the same person staring back at me in the mirror. Regardless though, I just love writing. To be honest, I've always been intrigued by journalism. By the possibility of writing for a living. I can't explain why I've never really pursued it. But it's never too late to try now.

Anyways, I guess I should introduce myself. I mean, if you're still reading this, that means there's a chance that you'll stick around, right? I hope so.

Well, I am a 20-year-old (21 in a few weeks!) student who is still trying to figure out what the heck she wants to do with her life. Law school, teaching, journalism... those are only a few of the options that I am currently contemplating. Although I am still undecided about what I want to do with my career, there is one thing I do know. I know that no matter what job I choose to do, it is going to be something that I am going to love waking up in the morning to do, and that is is something that is going to change lives. As cliche as it sounds, all I want to do with my life is to make a difference. Even if it is in just one person's life. Even if it is for just one moment.

I know my introduction is vague, but I hope that it has intrigued some of you enough to want to read what else I have to say. And as for my name? That's not important. At least not for now.

Wow, I didn't realize I had written so much, so that is probably long enough for now. I have a million topics that I want to write about right this second. But maybe another time. This feeling that I'm getting, this excitement over what I want to talk about-- this is why I love writing.

Until next time.

C