New Year’s has always been a nostalgic time for me. My dad was born on January 1 and it was a double celebration - the start of the new year and a celebration of his birthday.
My dad was a unique man in that he was what Hollywood would have called “the strong silent type.” He never, in my whole life, raised his voice to me. Yet I always knew what was expected of me. His gentle, yet strong and ethical heart was my strength during many challenging years. But challenges are what make life interesting!
That’s why part of each New Year’s Day was set aside to make resolutions. Isn’t it wonderful that there is an opportunity to get a second, third or fourth chance to make a change, try to do things differently, wish things would be different, or even take on new challenges?
Well, it’s time for my 2009 resolutions. I make them every year and of course rarely stick to them. But it wouldn’t be a new year without them. This year I have really set myself mentally and physically to resolve to control how much I eat and lose 10 pounds. I even bought the book Flat Belly Diet by Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief of Prevention Magazine. I’ve absolutely been sold on the fact that to stay healthy and well requires a smaller me! So here I go. I have even called on Patti at Juice for Life and Weight Watchers to come to my office and help me and a few of my staff to support each other.
About a month ago I asked Phil Cooke from Queens Hospital Center if he could help some of my staff who are smokers to get involved with his Stop Smoking Program. I was so impressed to see a few of my staff use the opportunity the hospital’s team offered - many have not smoked since. It’s taken a lot of strength on their collective part and I feel if they can be so strong overcoming what I consider an addiction, then I should be able to keep my promise to myself and stick to my resolution to control what I eat.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that losing weight can’t be done by exercise alone. I work out five days a week and have a trainer, Peter Vincent of Douglaston, twice a week making sure I do my strength training. I prefer being on the treadmill, bike and elliptical because I get to read my newspapers while I work out, but I was neglecting what I was told is the most important part of a workout, strength building. So each morning before I go to work, I’m in the gym. It’s just not enough, though, even doing an hour a day. It doesn’t ensure weight loss, though I love my workouts - they wake me up, arouse my endorphins and make me feel like I can “take on the world!”
I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
It’s an exciting new year on many levels. I look forward to going to our new president’s inauguration and sharing the experience with you.
In this world of turmoil I’d like to give a gift to you — a powerful poem
If I Could Give the World a Gift
If I could give the world a gift,
There’d be no tape or bows.
It wouldn’t fit into a box,
But would be sweeter than a rose.
I would not seek a thank you note,
Though the gift is surely grand.
The feelings that you get from it
Will not fit into your hand.
This gift I give is peace on earth
And good will to every man.
So we can have a world at last
Where hatred can be banned.
This is a powerful message written by my son Josh in 1994. Its resonance is as strong today. Happy New Year. May the challenges be few and may your dreams and resolutions for the new year be fulfilled.
