But do not deceive yourself as to what you do find to be the facts of the situation.

Sunday morning... July 16, 2006... 9:48 EST... I sit here in front of my computer having just finished my treadmill workout (my version of a long run), sitting on ice (literally), in an ocean of sweat (I hope that my apartment doesn't smell like a gym?) ..... and just as I was finishing, I became acutely aware that I was insufficiently grateful in yesterday's post.

Yeah, I know, I wrote some stuff that sounded like gratitude but the truth is, that wasn't what I was really feeling. I'm almost embarassed to admit to a level of vanity whereby a picture of my nearly 44 year-old self could cause such loathing.... get a grip my child....

Though I may truly despise the way I appear in the pic that I have posted for all the world to see, it strikes me as the truth this morning is that it doesn't matter. And if I keep reminding myself of that truth, then it will cease to be a burden.

What matters are the facts:

In July of 1997 I:

1. was at least 20 pounds heavier than I am now;
2. was sedentary, my muscles atrophied, unable to touch my toes;
3. smoked well over a pack of cigarettes a day;
4. was secretly locked up in my apartment trying to escape the pain of life through drugs;
5. alone... truly and desperately alone;
6. was unemployed and living on the good graces of my family (who as you know never stopped believing in me);
7. was without hope or faith; and not that I knew it at the time,
8. was at the start of a year during which time my Father and two cats all died.

And now....

1. I'm eating good, healthy, nutritious food about 80 - 90% of the time;
2. I'm losing weight (albeit not as quickly as I would like);
3. I've quit smoking cigarettes and my use of drugs are a distant memory, though I still drink in moderation;
4. I'm playing tennis, working out on my treadmill and doing yoga;
5. I've got a great job (yeah, ok its wickedly diffiicult and stressful) with a generous salary and perks;
6. I'm not anywhere near the ceiling of my potential earning capacity;
7. My Family as we currently exist truly love each and enjoy each other's company;
8. ...... the list goes on....

You want to know what's important,

truly important,

when you look at the picture posted below:

look at the SMILE.

Indeed, a picture says a thousand words.