Let’s face the facts—tomorrow you could get hit by a bus.*** And in those last seconds, wouldn’t you wish that you had spent your whole life doing things that only made you happy?
In the rush of New Year’s resolutions, millions of men and women woke up on January 1st and didn’t reach for their iced mocha lattes and matching chocolate donuts. This is a wonderful change; a fresh opportunity to live a healthier life!
However, in those last seconds, wouldn’t you wish you indulged in the giant chocolate donut? No one lies on their deathbed and regrets the things that made them happy, only the lack of.
I’m playing Devil’s (Food Cake) Advocate here, but it seems to me that New Year’s Resolutions cloud the actual end goal. What are you trying to accomplish with your resolution to count calories? A happier you, right? But it doesn’t seem that the end justifies the means.
No stranger to the trap of negativity, I am trying to be healthier, but at the same time, happier. Instead of letting everyone at my lunch table know that I’m unhappy with my body and I need to nibble this string bean, I’m thankful that my body is healthy. And that I am able to count hundreds of rich, healthy foods I have access to, to keep my body that way.
Instead of complaining about the amount of walking there is on campus, I count each step I take in which I don’t feel any pain. Walk up and down the wing of your local children’s hospital and then complain about stairs going to Upper.
Instead of being rude to the extra people in the gym, be proud and count the people who are now like you, and care about their health. John Holmes wrote that, “There is no better exercise for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” Go make a new workout buddy and help them count their reps.
Your resolution to lose weight or be healthy shouldn’t cloud the reason you’re doing it—to make a better you. You are not your weight. You are character and you need to make sure that does not falter.
Yes, counting calories is important and so is being healthy, so keep at it!
But also just remember to count the people who smile at you on your walk to class. Or count the feelings of gratitude you have for just being at BC.
In the long run, these numbers will add up a lot higher than any calorie ever could.
***Newton kids, please be careful.
Photo Sources:
http://blog.fooducate.com/2013/02/19/counting-calories-is-hard-when-calorie-info-is-wrong/
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/07/biscuit-donuts-with-chocolate-glaze.html