Tuesday August 1 2017 DICHOTOMY OF LIFE

CHANGE–the synonyms being:  alteration; modification, variation, transformation, revolution, conversion, adjustment, and amendment.

DIFFERENT—the synonyms being:  dissimilar, diverse, unlike, unalike, altered, poles apart, and not the same.

I am working-out at a different gym location this week due to my grandsons attending VBS nearby.  After one day on DIFFERENT machines I was ready to give up!  But I came back again today.  Yesterday was tough.  I am not fond of using my time learning new contraptions I only plan to use for a week.  Each had a different touch; a different menu of instruction in order to make it run, felt differently, and being a newer facility seemed to affect the stress of my workout.  I stuck to my usual weights and repetitions; I wasn’t going to let a mere machine defeat me.

At first I thought it was the DIFFERENCE of location and unfamiliarity that was causing me the consternation.  After looking up the word CHANGE and then the word DIFFERENT I realized the two words are worlds apart.  Both words and synonyms describe my conundrum but I see the words as each having a different outcome of results.

“Different” describes my place, my unfamiliarity with the equipment and the fact that the machines are not the same.

“Change” seems to be the word of choice in this instance because it deals with proactive measures of what I must do to contend with my present situation.  I can make choices.  I cannot disagree with the fact that the machines are unalike but I can choose to use them by modifying my expectations, by transforming the way I think, by adjusting to the situation at hand, and even having a “self-revolution” of modifying my behavior and attitude.

As I sat here in the gym with my computer opened the lady who works here at the gym walked by.  I asked her to suggest a topic and she suggested writing about being in a new place to work out.  So that is what I am writing about.  And ultimately what I discovered is that this gym is a lot like life.  Every day is different.  Each circumstance can bring new experiences, hazards, adjustments, and rewards.  However, when we face change it’s more about how we view life.  This gym is an example of the dichotomy of life.

DICHOTOMY—the synonyms being:  contrast, opposition, gulf, contradiction, separation, clash, and irreconcilable differences.

Even here I had an “irreconcilable difference” with an elliptical machine.  I could not handle the way it affected how I controlled my body due to the unfamiliar footings.  After I tried for a few moments I found a different kind of machine that met my needs.  I made the proactive choice to change in order to try something different in order that I not give up on my ultimate goal; a heart healthy workout.  And I think that may actually be an answer to some of life’s situations (especially as we age).  We all go through hardships, financial drought, sickness, pain, and death of loved ones.  But through it all we must accept different situations  as they happen, and by choice, even when things are unfamiliar and different, choose to change what we can to create a life worth living.  The dichotomies that we face will teach us strength, perseverance, and new ways to accomplish our goals.

DICHOTOMY OF LIFE

Kathleen Martens

August 1, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Each day is different,

Each hour never the same.

But God has the ultimate plan,

And He knows us each by name.

Life never stays the same;

Change is an inevitable part.

We must be willing to modify our attitude

And allow joy to fill our hearts.

Look ahead with anticipation

As here and there we roam.

God is our ultimate destination;

Know this world is not our home.

Thank You God for change in our lives.

Thank You God that You created each and every person uniquely beautiful.

Thank You God for sharing with me the truths in Your Holy Word.

Thank You that I have faith.

MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU SAFE THIS DAY.