#resound11 ~ December 29, 2011: Let Go

Let Go: What did you let go of in 2011? What was the experience like? How is your life different today? Do you ever regret it?

The one thing I let go of is the notion that I need food for pleasure and the adoption of the idea that it is for fuel. I need to work on this but I truly believe that just being aware of this is incredibly life changing. 

It was like anything else hard at first and although I have some relapses it is getting easier and I expect it that by this time next year it will be completely under control. I feel better this year than I did this same time last year and am about 30 pounds lighter to boot. 

I do regret it sometimes because I do clearly remember taking great pleasure in a slice of pizza or a jelly donut and I can clearly report that although I still crave it and indulge from time to time. It is no where near as appealing as it once was. 

I suspect that letting go completely of this will knock off the last 20 lbs and 2013 should find me in much better place. 

#resound11 ~ December 28, 2011: Five Things

Five Things: Take today to jot down five memories that you would like to never forget about 2011. Try to write about five things you haven’t shared yet, but if you need to repeat, that’s OK!

What I don’t want to forget in 2012 or ever for that matter were some very special days as well as the lessons left behind by 2011. I’m running short on time here so lets make a list and I can always(i will) come back and fill in more of the explanation. 

1. I can not let up on my fitness routine or goals. Coming back from a break is harder than just keeping up the hard work and foundation I’ve laid unfortunately more than a few times now. I need to improve upon it and not limit myself by destroying my gains by eating horribly or again “letting up”. 

2. I ran a marathon, triathlon, and Spartan race. (several 5K’s and 10K’s) That should be the bar now and every year from here should be spent trying to raise the bar not just simply trying to reach it. 

3. I need to be the “bad cop” sometimes and not always try and be the fun parent. (regardless of what Phil Dunfy has to say on that matter). I did just that this summer and the benefits my son has reaped since then will grow exponentially from this year on. 

4. I need not be scared to write because I have to get all the bad out before I write something worth reading. I’m going to keep doing it until someone pays me to do so. 

5. I never want to forget that 2011 had me finally letting folks in after a very long time of isolating my self. Not so much for the sake of staying safe but because I thought no one understood me. I’ve met so many people this year that whether they truly understand or not have clearly made me feel I matter and can make a difference in “my world” as well as in the lives of others.

2011 will end and yet all the “work” I’ve began this year will carry over directly to 2012 and I plan to do it bigger and better every day. 

#resound11 ~ December 27, 2011: Everything Is Going To Be OK

Everything Is Going To Be OK: What is one thing, a sign if you will, that has shown you that things will be just fine in 2012?

The biggest sign for me that things will be fine in 2012 as ironic as is sounds is that they are fine now. As hard as I know things are, they are also fine. The family is healthy (colds here and there excluded). They are not just fine, they are fine despite the troubles still holding me down. 

 

No way in hell the situation will stay the same in 2012 because one/I must continue forward movement/momentum. We’ve come to learn as a family how to get by with so much less. A lesson we unfortunately must have needed a refresher course on or it wouldn’t have been so. 

We’ve grown closer as a family unit and although are extended families continue to mean a whole lot and hold a dear place in our hearts. It’s our immediate family that has grown some character and it’s a truly a breathing entity now as one. 

The wife and I continue to disagree as two strong willed and strong minded individuals do. Yet lines of communication that took years to lay are now as solid as they will ever be and there is no hardship we won’t overcome with two dare I say three (Kalel is growing up to be such a force) minds at work. 

I can’t wait to close the book on 2011 and as everyone does put my eggs in the 2012 basket and hope for a better year for not just myself but for my family. In the mean time I’ll sit here remembering one of the many beautiful views I enjoyed this year. I remember posting it on Facebook and captioning it “I really can’t/shoudn’t complain”

#resound11 ~ December 26, 2011: Outro

Outro: Earlier this month we revealed our theme song. Today, share with us the song you would like to be remembered by. Share with us your exit song.

I like things to be uniform so if my intro was Andy Grammer, I want the outro to be him as well. 

If the intro was “Keep your head up” for the outro I’m torn between “Lunatic” or “Miss me”. Miss me being ofcourse more of a series finale. On a day to day though I think Lunatic is more fitting. Giving me peace for the lunacy of my day. Yet giving me motivation to keep getting up the next day. 

I’ve got five bucks sitting at a coffee shop
I just wrote a lyric that made me stop
Think about the world and what I got
It’s a beautiful, beautiful day

I’ve got dreams for food and hope for drink
A new chance coming every time I blink
Sunset dripping off the thoughts I think
It’s a beautiful, beautiful day

Reading the lyrics alone does not do it justice so I’ve included the “video” I’m hoping with that comes a new found love for Andy and another one of his songs maybe speaking more to you. Yet I really hope that if anyone does think of me when I’m no longer here or even when just away from me. That I’m “crazy” enough to believe big things can happen. As Andy so graciously reminds us. “Crazy would be changing my mind” 

#resound11 ~ December 25, 2011: All Is Love

All Is Love: Who do you love unconditionally? Who loves you unconditionally? Who do you love despite their flaws? All is love.

I love my wife and it was that love that gave us our son and I ,with out a doubt, love him unconditionally. From the moment I knew he was coming, something inside me began to dream of the time to come. I dreamt of him. I never saw his face in my dreams but I saw him running about our place. I walked about here and there listening to children call for “daddy” and wondered how I would ever be able to resist his demands. 

Then about two months before I was to meet him our little man thought it’d be nice to make his debut. We rushed off to the hospital. It all happened really extremely fast. I walked in with my heart in my arms as I helped Griselda through the double doors and sat her on the wheel chair. Before I knew it, I saw my heart split in two and now it was “outside of me” 

From the moment he opened his eyes he’s not stopped looking up at his daddy. Yes he loves mommy but even she’ll agree Kalel has no bigger super hero than me. I quickly learned that I had to fill those humongous shoes regardless of his already unconditional love. I’ve made mistakes and my son is as resilient as any other and loves beyond measure. As cliche as it sounds we may not have know real love or come to terms with the fact that “all is love” until he was in our lives. 

I know he has his flaws. He’s a Mr. smarty pants (I can’t blame anyone but myself). He’s louder than I would be comfortable with at times. Loves to sing but if I’m being honest can’t carry a tune. Yet I can’t fathom a world with out him in it. When I’m not in a mood it’s exactly those “flaws” that make him special. 

It’s been almost 12 years since I wrote the words. “I love you foibles and all” in my wife’s highschool yearbook and nowadays the same rings true for my Kalel. 

#resound11 ~ December 24, 2011: Try

Try: What is one thing (activity, food, career, event, travel, etc.) that you’d like to try in 2012? Why haven’t you tried it yet? What makes 2012 the year to try it?

2012 will be the year the Callejas family goes on a cruise. There are a lot of reasons why we haven’t. Work schedule and other commitments. Financial availabilty but more importantly just the thought of not being worth a vacation like that. 

This will be the year because I am certain I’m worth it. (Not to mention we’ve been making payments towards that goal for some time.) My family is also worth it and time together (aboard some amazing ship) will be a memory for a lifetime, not just 2012. 

I must admit that it is a little overwhelming and intimidating. Yet adding to the feelings of it being for a higher tax bracket. Well enough of that. If I was good enough to travel on a Navy ship during my time in the Marine Corps why shouldn’t I feel fit to travel to beautiful ports. I’m hoping for the Mexican Riviera. 

#resound11 ~ December 23, 2011: Today Is All You Have

Today Is All You Have: It’s true, today is all you have, so why not make the most of it? Describe your perfect day, one that you’ve had this year or one that you’d like to have next year. What makes it perfect for you?

If forced to pick one day this year it was always the one I was living. Either for the joy it brought me or the lesson it left behind. Examples scattered over various social media outlets I really embraced in this last year. 

I plan for so many just like them in 2012. The only improvement I yearn for is succesful employment. One that does not help kill the enlightement I’ve reached in the trying times presented this year almost gone.

Each day I rise with the warmth of the sun or the mere promise of it. I’m grateful for the day before. I’ve also come to terms that I need to live today so that I deserve tomorrow. 

#resound11 ~ December 22, 2011: Identify The Problem

Identify The Problem: Today, take a few minutes to ponder that one little, nagging issue that, if solved or eliminated, would make your life better. Perhaps, getting up five minutes earlier would make your life easier. Maybe smiling at that one coworker that drives you crazy would ease the tension. What small change in your life would or could make a big difference?

I ponder this for a lot more than a “few minutes”. If this issue/problem started off as a nagging cough it has quickly escalated/progressed into full blown pneumonia. Well indeed I need to find a cure or I don’t think I’ll make it to the end of 2012. 

Waking up anywhere from 4:30 to 5:00 AM hasn’t helped. I’ve tried to get passed all the negativity that was so loud it would drown out all the sounds the world had for me to experience. Perhaps that was the congestion that led to the pneumonia. So the congestion is gone and yet the cough persists. I still have no job.

Going back to work would be a very small change yet it would make the world of difference in my every day life. A lot of stressors would be removed. The time off would be more enjoyable because we have learned to enjoy life because appreciation for the little things has grown. Eating healthier would be easier since lets face it it’s not cheap. 

Is there anyone out there that can help me get rid of this cough. Should be simple right? Yet it’s proven to be so difficult. 

#resound11 ~ December 21, 2011: Embrace

Embrace: What guilty pleasure have you embraced this year? What have you just accepted as something you enjoy and stopped denying it? What do you enjoy that would surprise people that know you?

if it wasn’t for the cleaning after the fact I could completely embrace my guilty pleasure of cooking. I’ve come to really enjoy my time in the kitchen. Wether it’s breakfast in the morning or making soup for lunch all while prepping dinner. It’s a lot more fulfilling an experience than just going out for any meal of the day. It’s helped with my eating habits and financially there is just no comparing it. 

People I know should be surprised because for most of my life I was defined by how much I could eat not the process before then. Even in the more recent history and my decision to leave a healthier life. Most friends or family just focus on the fitness routine or work out overload instead of again the process of fueling my workouts. 

So I’ve now embraced it. I will continue to cook. Trying to learn to make more dishes than those already mastered. In this time of google and shows like “The Chew” I’m learning loads. As for the cleaning up part Griselda has agreed to clean up after my cooking adventures. 

#resound11 ~ December 20, 2011: Elevator Speech

Elevator Speech: If you had 30-90 seconds to describe yourself (give an elevator speech ), how would you sum up who you are? Today’s prompt would make a great video if you have the capabilities.

Hi it’s so very nice to meet you.

I hope you’re having a nice day. If not is there anything I can do to make it so. You see that’s what I do. I know you can achieve what ever you want. I’m a strong believer in the fact that any journey is much more fullfilling and memorable with some great company or a great team.

That’s where I come in. Whatever your venture/company/task is I will help realize it’s greatest potential. How? By making you my priority, my only experience involved being tested in the most stressful of environements. War. I’ve been left with a new appreciation for life and attention to detail that can adapt and overcome any obstacle. Enjoy the rest of your day and rest assured you’ve never met anyone like me. 

Well I think I can get that all out in about 30-40 seconds with some real emotion. I even practiced reciting it a couple of times in my head. Now lets just hope it’s not in an elevator ride like this unlucky guy in “car 30”