The Stream & the Rock

May 2013

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins.  Not because it is stronger, but because it perseveres.

I have lost a substantial amount of weight in the past 6 years - half of it I have lost twice.  I am down a total of 115 lbs as of this morning.  During this time, I have had many weeks where I either didn't lose or didn't lose what I thought I "earned".  This week, after fighting off 3 binges (I always seem to want to binge in bed), I am down 0.4 lbs.  That's right, 6.4 ounces. 

Many people would whine about not losing any weight.  If we don't get the results that we feel are "due" us based on the work we did, we want to quit.  "Well, there is no point in this!  I'll just eat".  Well, that will just show them - whoever "they" are.  No one wants to lose only 6.4 ounces! 

But this is where commitment comes in.  My journey is not something I can be either on or off of.  I can't "cheat" on it.  My journey is my journey, whether the scale goes up or it goes down. If I eat everything in the kitchen, it is still my journey.  A loss of a few ounces is not impressive.  But, even assuming that I "only" lose 1/2 pound per week, it will still add up given time.  So far, my pounds and my ounces have added up to 115 lbs.  And that IS impressive.

The Grand Canyon is the result of the confrontation between the stream and the rock.  It didn't happen overnight, but the result at this point is certainly impressive.  The stream persevered.  It was committed.  It continued to do what it did.  It didn't decide that it wasn't worth it when it didn't happen fast enough.  It just kept going. 

And so must we.  This is our journey, whether it is a positive one or not.  This is our journey, whether we are moving toward health or sickness.  It is our choice which direction we want to go.  With every day, every meal, every bite - it is our choice.