What I aspire to do.

What is actually happening.

Some of you may have heard the expression, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

Apparently I need a one-way ticket to the funny farm based on the above quote.

Why do we repeat behaviors when they get us nowhere? And have you noticed life is a circle? Not just The Lion King’s circle of life, but also the circle of reappearing situations and people that elbow their way into our lives.

The cycle can be anything from reoccurring negative relationships (Must I always date someone who’s into Yoda?), to needless spending (Well the electric bill won’t get paid this month, so it’s a good thing I have these ninety-two candles on hand), to working the same crappy job, but in a different location (Awesome, more spreadsheets).

In the vein of airing dirty laundry, three major issues seem to follow me around like a fart into an elevator:  1) Running late (everywhere); 2) Overspending; and 3) A promise to take up yoga.

It’s time for me to get off this crazy train, so I devised some solutions.

Let’s start backwards with the most mundane hula-hoop item and its proposed fix.

YOGA: For nearly a decade “Take a Yoga Class” has been on my To Do list.  The number of yoga classes I have taken during that time: three. I hate it. I don’t really know why I put this on my list, but everyone keeps telling me it is fantastic for peace of mind and flexibility and blah blah blah. I would not mind limbering up since a seated toe-touch stretch would require a state of emergency; complete with fire trucks and pulley devices.  SOLUTION: Where yoga pants. Perhaps while running or just sitting.

OVER-SPENDING: I’m not much of a saver. Or as my husband puts it, “What the @$%* did you buy at Target??!!!” This issue would probably happen more often, but luckily I just don’t have the dinero to spend. At least I make sure all the bills are paid before I go buck wild at Walgreens. I am a responsible over-spender.  SOLUTION: A Budget. I have tracked my spending over the last couple of months (ouch!) and am now working on cutting back. I’ll let you know how it goes.

RUNNING LATE:  This has gone on since the beginning of time – that is – my time on earth.  I like to say sassy things like, “I was born late.” Which is true, but not an accepted excuse for my daughter’s dance teacher. This one is super bad. I find myself thinking I can accomplish more in a certain time frame than is what is actually possible. SOLUTION: Don’t go anywhere (just kidding). I have tried to trick myself and set the clocks in my house five minutes ahead, it does not work. The end result is that I am really good at subtraction. I am still working on this problem area (sort of) and trying to cut back on what I do before I leave the house.  Once again, I’ll keep you posted.

My goal is to break the negative circle of sameness. Hopefully I will be successful, and I wish the same for you dear reader, whatever your habit.

But if you see a small woman frantically running down the street holding an un-used yoga  mat and a maxed-out credit card – you will know I have a long way to go.