Four months after I joined, I was finally knighted, oddly one of the more exciting things I can imagine happening to me in my imaginary life. I started standing up straighter and sucking in my stomach and thinking, 'I want to fit into a Jedi costume by ComiCon'. Well not quite there yet, but am working on it.
Last night after four months of training someone else, they finally became a knight. The person who trained me was there and his former master as well. It was very moving in a triple 'generation' moment of an imaginary life.
We are creating stories. They will never be made public, never see the pages of a book much like our old D&D stories. They are meaningful to us though and if it changes our mindset enough that we become an even better person, who's to say it's wrong or silly?
About two months ago I got on the scale and realized I was close to 190 lbs. This is unacceptable. I am in my mid-50's and my health should be better. (Given my previous track record even more so).
I started changing what I eat, more salad, fewer hamburgers, less fried foods and candy. Katie is on a low carb diet, I chose low fat, salt and sugar. I'm doing low key exercise at work five days a week as well. Stepping up on things, lunges, stretching my leg muscles and doing a low impact 'workout' periodically through the day. It's working.
I have lost six pounds in as many weeks. Bought a new pair of shoes day before yesterday, don't know if my feet have leveled off but they were only a size 9 mens instead of 10 1/2 like I thought they should be.
I also looked at the price of bikes. If I can get back on a bike a few days a week, that would increase my endurance as well as tone my muscles. That was the whole plan doing leg exercises and stretches actually.
I can't quite fit into my old jeans, but maybe by Christmas.
You see.. there are hundreds of people that have influenced my life, helped me push past the bad times, inspired me to do better.. and the most important one..is me.
I had to make the decision to change, yes I was influenced by many other factors but in the end it was all entirely up to my choice to do it. If my motivation is to look awesome in a costume then what of it? I've lost six pounds toward my goal of ten by Comicon (which I'm not able to attend this year but oh well), on my way to fifteen by Halloween, maybe ... twenty by New Years? That..would truly be incredible. I'd be happy with the fifteen.
During my study of being a Jedi, there is one precept that is learned and studied. The Three Pillars of Strength. They are Knowledge, Self Discipline and The Force.
All three can be applied to every day life. Yes, even the Force. Because the Force is energy, all around us, to be used in our every day lives. Maybe we can't lift rocks or move cars, but we can use it to move forward, try to accomplish the impossible in our lives and inspire those around us to do the same.
That is what it's about.
I am a Jedi. It is kindness, peace, harmony, knowledge and energy.
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