GET BETTER, GET BITTER, OR . . .?

Get better. That’s the plan?

Yes, that is the plan.

Otherwise, what are you going to do?

I’m asking, what are the other options because I don’t see them. Do you?

Let a blogger explain why if you’re having trouble with it.

You don’t see other options than ‘get better’ not because you’re blind, but because of the darkness.

Getting better sheds light in unexpected places.

First it’s one thing, then another, until better is a way of life.

But you won’t see that either since change is slow.

So give it time and start the grind.

The first question is, ‘Better than what?’

 

Get Better Than Yesterday

There’s a learning curve about leaving the house that public education doesn’t cover.

When a man or woman puts on their best look for grocery shopping, they either have higher standards of appearance than you, or it’s laundry day and the closet is empty.

If you’ve ever lived in a dorm then you know:

People go to the cafeteria in an array of ‘just got up’ clothes.

Choose an attire somewhere between ‘look at me’ and ‘don’t look at me.’

You’ll find the compromise somewhere between ‘don’t embarrass yourself’ and ‘I don’t have time for dress-up.’

Where I live there’s a Safeway store between two ‘Over 55’ communities where you get people in baggy sweats and bedroom slippers, and others dressed for the theater opening night.

I’m over 55. The worst I’ve got are workout clothes after a workout where I lock in the heat like I’m making weight for a wrestling match with a tight coat and red face.

Once you’ve worked up a sweat, don’t waste it. Layer up for the slow cook cool down.

 

One More Time

If you were a slacking stoner yesterday, what’s today?

Time for some serious introspection.

Are you hitting your goals? Do you have goals?

You don’t need to be a salesman to have goals.

Here are my dailies:

 

Start fresh and clean with a shower to clear the funk of failure off from yesterday.

Yeah, you didn’t really fail at anything. That’s what everyone says, but what’s the truth?

If you’re no better, or no worse, then you’re breaking even.

Where does that lead? Not to where you want to go.

And I’m not talking about raking in a windfall, or finding a pot of gold, though it happens all the time with the lottery.

I’m talking about better habits.

 

After a quick shower take inventory of your sparkling clean self and do some resistance training, otherwise known as lifting.

The older you get the more important it is to lift for muscle integrity and stronger bones.

Tip: Don’t go overboard and hurt yourself and quit.

If you’ve got an eight hour work day in front of you, lift in the evening, but get it in.

 

 

To be better than yesterday, take a moment to reflect on how you responded to things yesterday that didn’t quite go the way you wanted.

I’m a writer who didn’t win the Nobel for blogging, or the Pulitzer, or go viral and attract advertisers willing to pay for my work.

Needless to say, rich bloggers are out there, just not here.

What you get from me isn’t vetted through a matrix of analytics for the best effect and return.

Instead of a targeted audience, my readers dribble in and out of this proud hobby blog from far away places.

I’m happy they find me because some of these remote locations actually have electricity and an internet hook-up.

Would I turn down their donations? Send me a check to find out. I’ll cash it to keep your books balanced.

What would I do next? Talk it out with my wife.

 

Get Better At Relationships

Who am I to talk about getting better at relationships?

My personal history is littered with lost chances.

Family members have drifted far, far, away and I blame myself.

I’d be disingenuous to say otherwise.

I’ve got a full-blown Trumper in the mix who is still angry that I said they were wrong to give the college loan department my address.

Family allegiance? Not with this one. I’m the bad guy who paid off everything but that’s not the lasting memory.

Another holds a grudge because I don’t live up to their standards.

But I gave it a shot for getting better.

 

My wife is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I think I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to her too, but you’d have to ask.

Staying married is proof? It’s something. Besides, we’re happily married most of the time.

When I hear, “Maybe you’ll be happier with your next wife,” I always disagree.

Next wife? Hahahahaha. No.

Wife: I’d want you to remarry so you wouldn’t be lonely.

Me: Was I lonely when you met me?

 

Get Better At Retirement

For some retired people the weekend starts on Monday and Happy Hour starts at two in the afternoon.

Do they worry about being drunks?

Maybe they should, maybe you should, maybe I should?

Of course we should. That shit sneaks up on you.

You don’t want to be the last to know an intervention is coming your way, or worse, an iron-clad demand for change or else.

Get older and your ‘Check Engine’ light may come on.

I get this, do you?

 

Your self-image is a combination of your past, present, and future.

The work to keep it all balanced never ends.

So do your partner and your friends a favor and get better at it.

Otherwise you might turn in a sub-par day, week, month, and it may last years.

That’s a habit to avoid.

Be a max player in your life, don’t just talk about it.

You do have something to prove to yourself no matter your age.

Get started and keep rolling.

We’ve got enough bitter people who say they have nothing to prove but haven’t proven anything.