We Are What We DO
Hi--
One of the so-called problems with being a magazine editor is all the reading you have to do. I've got stacks and stacks of books, just waiting for me to get through ... on top of the three newspapers, numerous monthly magazines and many websites I check out daily. I say this is a "so-called" problem because it's not really a problem at all ... reading is one of my favorite favorite things to do. My appetite for reading always rivaled my appetite for food ... and thankfully, reading is a no-cal activity!
Anyway, I have finally gotten to a book called Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart, by a psychiatrist named Gordon Livingston. I think it came out in hardback a couple of years ago, and was issued in paperback this summer. I have to admit right here ... I'm not a huge fan of self-help books. I like stories with messages, sure, but out of context advice? Not so much. Maybe that's why I wrote my book the way I did ... I felt like who would listen to my advice without knowing my story, where I'm coming from?
But I have found some nuggets in this book that resonate. One especially: We Are What We DO. Dr. Livingston (I presume! Sorry, couldn't resist) basically says that at the end of the day, our intentions, our justifications, our excuses, our words don't matter--our actions are what make us who we are.
As someone who walks around with a head full of ideas, only a fraction of which are ever executed, this hit me hard. It's not like I didn't know it before I read that passage, but the reminder came at a good time, I suppose. For instance, I think about this blog all the time ... but you all (if there is anyone out there!) know how rarely I post. YOU don't know that I think about blogging, that I actually compose posts in my head that never make it to the page. Just like my sister doesn't know that I have a card sitting here, waiting to be addressed, congratulating her on being pregnant with her third child. Nor does my friend Kim know that I've been thinking about emailing her to tell her where I am now since I've moved.
What is stopping me from following through? My son's homework, the housework, my workouts, my job, Project Runway, all those books and newspapers I read, I guess. It's not that I'm beating myself up about all this ... the book has just caused me to take stock, to look at WHAT GETS ON THE PAGE, and figure out from that if I am acting, in reality, as the person I want to be. If I am expressing what is inside.
I think not.
So ... what will I do with all this? I will DO. I will stop cogitating so much, and DO. Yes, I have a full life, and this doesn't mean I will be blogging every five minutes, or every day even. But I will try to DO more, all around. I will try to THINK, THEN DO, instead of THINK, THEN DELAY. Because time's a-wastin'.
Thanks for listening.
Lisa D
One of the so-called problems with being a magazine editor is all the reading you have to do. I've got stacks and stacks of books, just waiting for me to get through ... on top of the three newspapers, numerous monthly magazines and many websites I check out daily. I say this is a "so-called" problem because it's not really a problem at all ... reading is one of my favorite favorite things to do. My appetite for reading always rivaled my appetite for food ... and thankfully, reading is a no-cal activity!
Anyway, I have finally gotten to a book called Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart, by a psychiatrist named Gordon Livingston. I think it came out in hardback a couple of years ago, and was issued in paperback this summer. I have to admit right here ... I'm not a huge fan of self-help books. I like stories with messages, sure, but out of context advice? Not so much. Maybe that's why I wrote my book the way I did ... I felt like who would listen to my advice without knowing my story, where I'm coming from?
But I have found some nuggets in this book that resonate. One especially: We Are What We DO. Dr. Livingston (I presume! Sorry, couldn't resist) basically says that at the end of the day, our intentions, our justifications, our excuses, our words don't matter--our actions are what make us who we are.
As someone who walks around with a head full of ideas, only a fraction of which are ever executed, this hit me hard. It's not like I didn't know it before I read that passage, but the reminder came at a good time, I suppose. For instance, I think about this blog all the time ... but you all (if there is anyone out there!) know how rarely I post. YOU don't know that I think about blogging, that I actually compose posts in my head that never make it to the page. Just like my sister doesn't know that I have a card sitting here, waiting to be addressed, congratulating her on being pregnant with her third child. Nor does my friend Kim know that I've been thinking about emailing her to tell her where I am now since I've moved.
What is stopping me from following through? My son's homework, the housework, my workouts, my job, Project Runway, all those books and newspapers I read, I guess. It's not that I'm beating myself up about all this ... the book has just caused me to take stock, to look at WHAT GETS ON THE PAGE, and figure out from that if I am acting, in reality, as the person I want to be. If I am expressing what is inside.
I think not.
So ... what will I do with all this? I will DO. I will stop cogitating so much, and DO. Yes, I have a full life, and this doesn't mean I will be blogging every five minutes, or every day even. But I will try to DO more, all around. I will try to THINK, THEN DO, instead of THINK, THEN DELAY. Because time's a-wastin'.
Thanks for listening.
Lisa D
posted by Lisa Delaney at
7:31 AM
14 Comments:
Hi Lisa,
Yes, I'm still here and it's great to read your blog. Action....that was huge for me. It was my unhappiness in my previous state, mind, heart which finally launched me into quitting everything to start once again. It has been slow and very scary, and I still get up each day and think of ways to move one step closer to my dreams, even with butterfiles in my stomach. I still stuggle with taking action, and I know it's a process.
I have settled in WA state and start my new job tonight. I had two months off and spend hours in the local libaries and bookstores, it was heaven. I have reconnected with beloved, sweet old friends and it has been beautiful.
I hope you are doing well in Nashville and wish you continued greatness and happiness. And always know, it was you and your book that gave me the knowledge to care for my health, body and soul once and for all. Take care, dearest.
Kelly
Kelly--
Great to hear from you! And best of luck on your new job. I am so humbled to think that I could have had any role in your life change! Best wishes ... Lisa D
Thanks for the thought...it reminds me of my favorite quote from an older self-help book:
"...we had been judging ourselves by our intentions while the world judges us based on our actions..."
That became my mantra a while back, that it's not about intent but action! Thanks for the post.
Lisa,
You MUST be my long lost twin. I just mentioned the fact to a bud about wanting to start a blog about all the "stuff" I have been reading, and there YOU are. My goodness! Just finished your book and have recommended it to my club here in Korea...Keeping Off the Pounds In Korea!
I really really love the way you write. I was almost in tears at Barnes and Noble last night reading my struggle put to words.....what a blessing your book is!
Solid post too! Agh, I feel that! Ha! While packing up our apartment to move into our first house this past week, I found just about every kind of card you can mention - written in and everything......but never mailed.
I'm feeling very weary of the struggle and hoping to get to the mint choc chip moment.
Until then ~
I'm thankful that you're so candid.
Best,
jen
Lisa,
Thanks so much for your book! I just finished it and so much of it rang true for me! It's like you were in my head! I am a great starter and a not-so-great finisher of things... Like, for instance, I am once again in the begining stages of W W and have not quite gotten the actual excercise routine into my life... That book that you mentioned in the Oct entry sounds very interesting... I will have to find it. I am going to recommend to my W W leader that she check out your book, it's so right on! Anyway, I fear I may be rambling here, just wanted to say many thanks for your insightfulness and honesty! Will let you know when I become that "former fat girl" too! Linda D
Dear Lisa,
You appologize too much. Every blog entry reads like the last, that you haven't been keeping up the blog. Let yourself BE. The tone of the entries are anxious, you must worry that people judge you constantly. You must keep up appearances, be a certain way, write so often, show something for yourself. There are so many beautiful things in the world that are invisible. No one can take inventory on love, kindness, happiness... One thing I've learned, don't care about what other's who don't matter to you, think about you. It's a gift that you give so much of yourself to the world. I know you hate unsolicited advice, but don't be so hard on yourself :D
Hey Lisa,
Just checked in to see if you had any new news and saw your note about "We are What we DO".
I had just purchased that book about a month ago and that is the chapter that most resonated with me as well.
Every time I think of something I am unhappy with I remember that quote, because it is so, so true.
I am sorry you don't feel settled in here in Nashville yet, but hope you will soon. It is my hometown and I have always loved it, but mostly b/c it IS home to me.
Where is your new magazine? I googled it but did not find it.
Amy
Hi Lisa,
where have you been. Keep checking to see if you posted anything ! Please keep writing whenever you get a chance. We are all still here :-)
Hope all is ok.
Take care,
Suj
Hi Lisa,
I am new to your blog, I read your story in the May "Runner's World" and loved the story so I had to go to the web site and read more. I too am a Lisa and I am having a hard time DOING as well so it was good to feel that I am not alone and I too am going to "DO" from now on (as much as I can that is)
Thanks for the great web site, articles and blogs. Keep posting
Lisa M.
Lisa: I just found your article in Runners magazine. I subscribe to the magazine although I don't run...weird, but I want to, just can't get myself out there. I think that if the magazine sits next to my bed I will wake up one day and be able to run a marathon. duh...you have inspired me, I am going to "DO" it.
Kris in San Diego
Do you find it hard to enjoy reading? I mean, clearly 90% of your life is involved in reading and writing; how do you keep the passion up? Especially when, I'd imagine, you come across so much terrible writing..
Hey Lisa! I'll have to go to Barnes and Noble and check out your book. But I have to say, that book by Livingston was the angriest, most apathetic book I've ever read. He had no tolerance for anyone or anything. A very bitter, angry man. He sadly lost people in his family, and I can see why he's so bitter. There are a few pearls of wisdom. I had to force myself to read parts to find them. I didn't read cover to cover, but he was amazingly apathetic for a mental health specialist. Of course a psychiatrist can also be just a pill dispenser, not a listener, like a good psychologist. Just wanted to make sure that folks didn't buy the book without looking through it first. If you're ready to be kicked in the behind--and don't want someone to be caring to your problems--this is your book. To me is was an a great way for him to vent his sufferings. Thanks. Laura
I’d passion to observe that too!
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