October Writing Challenge

Discipline.

Chances are that when you read that word your initial thoughts ran to some sort of punishment. It seems that while we are intellectually aware that discipline can mean a number of things it’s often thought of in terms of punishment.

But there is another side to discipline.

“Control gained by enforcing obedience or order,” is another way to look at discipline. To be a disciple means to follow a particular path. To make ones self stronger and in some sense more whole.

Most people do not just go out and run a marathon. They train. They discipline themselves in order to push beyond the bounds of normal performance.

In November I am running a literary marathon by participating in the National Novel Writing Month (www.NanoWrimo.org). I’ve talked about writing a book for some time, and have even made a few weak attempts. November is the time. I can no longer call myself a writer if I don't write for public consumption. So it's time to take the plunge. A few weeks ago I heard Jonathan Rand speak and his advice to writers was to keep writing. Every day. No more excuses.

So I'm in. November is it.

In preparation for Nanowrimo, I am committing to writing every day from now until the end of October. So when November starts, I’ll be ready for a marathon writing experience. As part of my training I’ll be playing with all different forms of writing, some of which I’ll post here.

If you have ideas or inspiration to share, send it my way.

Frozen Food Tells Me She Loves Me

One of the blessings of married life (at least for me) is the frozen food. I know, it may sound odd, but frozen food is one of the little reminders I have that she loves me. Unlike the frozen food of my bachelor days (Totino’s pizza, HungryMan Dinners, etc.) the frozen food I eat now is homemade. Chicken & Vegetable Soup, African Stew, Cabbage Rolls, and Split Pea Soup now grace our table and freezer with regularity. That way, when I’m in a hurry or want a hot lunch at work I can have a healthy and home cooked meal. But it’s more than a home cooked meal.

I think that this frozen food has helped save my life. I’ve always been a big guy, but shortly after we were married I stepped on the scale and realized that something had to change. I worked long hours. I ate quickly and whatever I could grab on the fly. I was significantly over weight and with the risk of diabetes looming over nearly every American decided that there was no time like the present.

So, in January of 2010 I got serious. Katie helped me learn to eat better and start a work out regimen. Over that period of time (and with a lot of encouragement and help from Katie, the Huffs, Mark Brouwer, Dan Cook, my Parents, siblings, and others) I’ve been able to loose 95 lbs. There is still a long way to go, but frozen food and eating right was the first step. It's also become a part of my lifestyle. Katie was right there at the beginning and she is right there helping me along the way each day. That’s one of those little reminders that I have every single day, that she loves me.

At our wedding we honored the couple present who had been married the longest. Out of all the family and friends present the Hogans (lifelong friends of Katie’s) took the prize. After the dance and obligatory pictures, Mr. Hogan leaned over to me and said, “take care of each other.” It was simple, but very good advice that we’ve tried to live by every day since. I hope that I can take as good a care of her as she has of me.