FROM THE PUBLISHER
ISSUE # 90 ❖ WINTER 2021 / 22
GET FIT OR DIE
HANGING IN MY CLOSET IS A T-SHIRT THAT READS “ GET FIT OR DIE .” AS A DAILY REMINDER OF THE DECISIONS EACH OF US FACE EVERY DAY , IT ’ S NOT A BAD SENTIMENT . EVERY DAY IS FULL OF MAKE- OR-BREAK MOMENTS . FROM THE TIME WE WAKE UP TO WHEN WE FINALLY HIT THE BED , EACH OF US IS FACED WITH DECISIONS THAT COULD AFFECT THE REST OF OUR LIVES . WHAT WE EAT , HOW MUCH WE EXERCISE ( IF AT ALL ), WHAT WE DO TO BUILD OURSELVES SPIRITUALITY , PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY . WHILE THE WORD “ DIE ” IS PRETTY BLACK-AND-WHITE , THE WORD “ FIT ” CAN BE INTERPRETED MANY WAYS . I SEE IT AS A BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE , KEEPING ALL AREAS “ FIT .”
And if there ’ s one area of my fitness I need to work on , it ’ s my regrets . All we can really do is learn from our mistakes , and I have made quite a few . If I could bottle up all my experiences and learn from them , the one thing I would change is that I would live life intentionally . Life is like any project , and much like a magazine , a lot of effort goes into the front end of the planning . Then we move onto execution and finally create it in a way that it is appealing to our readers .
I see so many people that are going through the motions of everyday life not thinking about the cold hard fact that each day is just one more day closer to the inevitable . Then I see those that are living life to the fullest . How many times have you brushed off an opportunity to do something out of your comfort zone because it was easier just to fall into your routine ? And how many times have you done something out of your comfort zone and realized what an incredible experience you had ? I have regretted the days I skipped the gym , but I ’ ve never once regretted going .
This past year has been a trying one , but I have been blessed with a great team at South magazine and it has allowed me the time to reconnect with family . I am reminded of the important things in life and that we need to live life to the fullest . And yes , it ’ s easier said than done . I am no expert on this but I do have many years of experience doing the wrong thing , which makes me a bit of a professional .
Every year about this time , millions make New Year ’ s resolutions promising this year will be better than the last . Most last a few weeks or maybe even a few months , but a very small percentage make it through the next 365 days . After all , we are only human , and we love our comfort zones . But this year can be different . To make that happen , we need to be intentional . Remember the stages of a project ? Start with planning it and writing it down . What is going to be your best life ? This is the stage of the process that will take time , and many of the ideas you have will come at inconvenient times . So stop and write them down as they pop into your head . Do you know someone who is living that life ? Pick their brain and make a plan , then share these plans with someone who is going to hold you accountable , or post it on social media to keep your feet to the flame .
Once you have a plan , execute . This is going to be the hardest part and you will fail a few times before you get it right . But eventually your new habits will become your new life , and more importantly your new comfort zone .
I can only share with you what my plan is . Hopefully , there are a few folks out who realize that their new life is out there and that it will just take a little effort to go get it . Some of life ’ s biggest rewards come from achieving your goals , no matter how big or small .
We can ’ t back up time . We can ’ t change our date with death . But we can dang sure get fit , make the most of the time we have left , and in doing so help a few others out along the way .
MANY THANKS & KEEP READING MICHAEL BROOKS PUBLISHER / CREATOR
16 SOUTH Winter 2021 / 22 PHOTO BY D . PAUL GRAHAM