Monday, December 30, 2019

December 30th, 2019 Just For Fun

December 30th, 2019 Just For Fun

Since our last edition, I've maintained the integrity of my food plan boundaries, I've remained refined sugar-free, I've met or exceeded my daily water goal, and I've stayed well connected with exceptional support.

The highlights and blessings of this past weekend were plentiful. We all gathered Saturday afternoon for our third Christmas gathering. I'm grateful mom was well enough to attend all three. It wasn't without challenges, of course, but we did it--and it was good.

Saturday night included a standup performance, too. I don't do those very often but when I do, it's always fun. The set up for the show was better this time. It was in a private room, where only those who wanted to be there were present--and they were dialed in and ready for fun. It enabled me to do the kind of standup I do best. In a more focused room, the performers are able to utilize everything; words, body language, facial expressions--and the subtleties of timing. In a noisy, chaotic environment, the performer loses much of those tools and is forced to get louder and more aggressive, and for me, that's not what I do. I was happy and grateful for a good standup experience.

This time, I must have aligned with my purest intent and a reasonable expectation to simply do it and enjoy doing it for fun because it didn't seem to trigger me into some kind of career revival type thinking. I've had "just for fun" standup sets that went well before--and then my brain immediately started creating ideas of grandeur. I'm not any kind of addiction expert at all--by any stretch, however, the "ooh, that "tastes" good, I want more, more, more," dynamic has been a part of it before and I certainly recognize it when it makes an appearance.

Standup brings me joy, so occasionally inserting it into a balanced, measured, calm, and peaceful life can be a great thing. Am I capable of moderation in this department? I think so. If I ever post a blog while parked at a truck stop on my way to do a 15-minute set in Dallas for $50 on a Wednesday night--before driving all night long to get home in time for my morning radio show with zero sleep, then you'll know I was wrong about this moderation thing. I kid, but seriously, I've done that very thing before--back in the day when any and all stage time was pursued like it was my last chance. 

Not to get any deeper than I've already dived into this, (but here we go anyway)...the thing is--I believe that pursuit of two decades ago was one in search of wholeness, belonging, love, happiness, career success, and all the things that felt deficient within me. I made it my solution for all things good in my life, for me and for my family. The last eleven years have taught me and continue to teach me--and show me; I don't have to chase external things in those pursuits. If I regularly pause for gratitude and ask, what is true, I realize all of those things already exist for me in various ways as long as I pause for the noticing and acknowledgment of the blessings. My talents, strengths, passions, and abilities are perfectly suited to God's will in my life. It only gets crazy and chaotic when I try to hijack the process while armed with a narrow-focused set of self-devised solutions that have zero time for pausing, gratitude, and divine direction. Okay...enough of that stuff...

I'm a willing student, ready to learn and appreciate perspectives I didn't make time to consider in the past. As long as I'm open and willing to learn, I feel like I'll always be okay with the best chance for all things good.

One of the highlights of my weekend was sharing my avocado topped Ezekiel toast with my granddaughter, Raegan. The first time I tried, a while back, she made a less than happy face--but this time, she liked it, she really liked it!

I'm enjoying some extended time off this week. I do have a location broadcast tomorrow night for New Years Eve at a huge casino followed by a New Years Day location broadcast at a big furniture store Wednesday morning--but my morning alarm isn't set for 4:30am until Thursday-- and that's a wonderful thing.

My morning routine is complete, my food is planned for today, I have a relaxed schedule, and I'm ready for a good Monday ahead of me. I hope yours is a good one, too! Oh--before I forget, some pictures from this weekend's visit with Amber, KL, and Raegan...
             









































Instagram Accountability Postings: 










Do you own an "I'm Choosing Change" wristband? I wear mine daily as a constant reminder of why my daily practice of things is important. I'm not alone, either. This powerful message is worn on the wrists of people in a dozen states, maybe more, I haven't counted--but it's up there!! From New York to California and from Canada all the way to Scotland, they're out there! For me, it's simply a daily reminder to be open, willing, mindful, to pause, and to be intentional. If I'm not those things, I get stuck at the line of least resistance and back there is where the old patterns and behaviors thrive. Your order includes priority shipping so you'll get it quickly! Here's the link to order yours right now: https://imchoosingchange.com/product/wristband/

My website shares a phone number with my podcast, Transformation Planet, and it's always available for you! Have a question? Want to share your story? Leave a voicemail or Text me! 580-491-2228 I'll text you back!

Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Practice, peace, and calm,
Sean

My website: www.imchoosingchange.com

If you're interested in connecting via social media:
I accept friend requests on MyFitnessPal. My daily food logging diary is set to public.
MFP Username: SeanAAnderson
My Twitter: SeanAAnderson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/seananderson505
Instagram: SeanAAnderson
Also--I'd love you to subscribe to my podcast Transformation Planet! You can find it in Apple Podcasts, in the Google Play store for Android, and listed wherever you find your favorite podcasts! If you haven't listened before, you'll find 20 episodes waiting for you!

Questions or comments? Send an email! transformation.road@gmail.com

Friday, December 27, 2019

December 27th, 2019 Noticing

December 27th, 2019 Noticing

Since our last edition, I've maintained the integrity of my food plan boundaries, I've remained refined sugar-free, I've met or exceeded my daily water goal, and I've stayed well connected with exceptional support.

Noticing things is something relatively new for me. I spent years and years in a food fog, oblivious to the blessings trying their best to get my attention, completely obsessed with the food: How much do I get? How can I get more? Can I get away and sneak-eat in private? How much can I eat in front of these people without my limitless excess being too obvious? On top of those obsessive thoughts, add the inherent difficulties of navigating through life as a 500-pound man. It isn't any wonder why or how I couldn't notice, let alone appreciate the people and special moments of my life. All of the most important things in my life had to first be strained through the colander of my addiction. What was left was but a fraction of the whole. I'm doing my best to notice the whole picture now, with gratitude--and a daily practice of things that help me stay open to receiving and appreciating the fortunate blessings of my life.

We had an amazing Christmas gathering. The highlights included witnessing the excitement and enthusiasm that was overflowing from my grandkids. My oldest daughter, Amber, her KL, and little Raegan will join us for another family Christmas gathering tomorrow afternoon.
 























































































Our small gathering at Irene's and Allen's place was a beautiful time together. We'll do it all over again tomorrow afternoon! Several have commented to me about Courtney's weight loss. Yes!!! She has been working super-hard and I'm so happy for her!

Tomorrow night I get to play. I'll be unpacking that love and passion for standup that is constantly living inside of me--and just go up and have fun with it all. I don't pursue it as a career like I did once upon a time--I simply do it occasionally for fun. There's zero pressure! My intent and pursuit are to enjoy the experience, deliver a good set, and get some laughs. I have a feeling I'll be doing just that, tomorrow night at the Ground Round a couple blocks from my apartment. I've stacked the deck in my favor, too! I'll be joined by three other of my very talented comedy friends: Stephen Long, Wade Tower, and Rob Neville.
 


















Yes, that really is Stephen in full Joker makeup. I don't think he's planning on being Joker tomorrow night--I think we'll get the comedy stylings of Stephen Long... but who knows? If you're within driving distance of tomorrow night's show--keep in mind it is a very small venue, limited to the first 60 for seats--standing room only after we reach capacity. So, if you're coming--get there early!!

Doing standup for fun, for me, is all about exploring the "core elements" of who I am. The core elements of me have always been in me, at 500 pounds--and now, just waiting to bring me happiness and joy as long as I pause long enough for the noticing.
My coffee mug comes with a reminder.















Instagram Accountability Posts:






Do you own an "I'm Choosing Change" wristband? I wear mine daily as a constant reminder of why my daily practice of things is important. I'm not alone, either. This powerful message is worn on the wrists of people in a dozen states, maybe more, I haven't counted--but it's up there!! From New York to California and from Canada all the way to Scotland, they're out there! For me, it's simply a daily reminder to be open, willing, mindful, to pause, and to be intentional. If I'm not those things, I get stuck at the line of least resistance and back there is where the old patterns and behaviors thrive. Your order includes priority shipping so you'll get it quickly! Here's the link to order yours right now: https://imchoosingchange.com/product/wristband/

My website shares a phone number with my podcast, Transformation Planet, and it's always available for you! Have a question? Want to share your story? Leave a voicemail or Text me! 580-491-2228 I'll text you back!

Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Practice, peace, and calm,
Sean

My website: www.imchoosingchange.com

If you're interested in connecting via social media:
I accept friend requests on MyFitnessPal. My daily food logging diary is set to public.
MFP Username: SeanAAnderson
My Twitter: SeanAAnderson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/seananderson505
Instagram: SeanAAnderson
Also--I'd love you to subscribe to my podcast Transformation Planet! You can find it in Apple Podcasts, in the Google Play store for Android, and listed wherever you find your favorite podcasts! If you haven't listened before, you'll find 20 episodes waiting for you!

Questions or comments? Send an email! transformation.road@gmail.com