A year ago, I turned 50. As many people do, I pondered my life. I made some changes. I set some goals. I started on a “Finding Jodi” journey. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not lost. However, I have so often become what someone or everyone believes I am that I wanted to ponder who I was, what I believed, and how to grow into the person I’m meant to be. Of course, you can also read it as my mid-life crisis. I hear that happens frequently.
First, I decided it was way past time to focus on my health and to become a healthier version of me. I’ve been on WAY TOO MANY fad diets that I haven’t been able to commit to long-term. This time, I simply decided to be “smarter” in my choices. I ate less fast food. I tried new vegetables. I would often take my lunch to work. I still ate chips & salsa and other items that some diets veto. But, it seemed to help me feel better and have more energy. I also tried to drink less soda and more water (or flavored water). Well, at 11:00 on my birthday, I went to my post-fasting-labs appointment. And….
Woohoo! Weight was down. (I knew that one.) My good cholesterol improved. My Vitamin D levels improved (I’m guessing thanks to spending time outside walking). My sugar level improved (last couple years it was in the pre-diabetic zone) to the point it was “normal” which, I kid you not, made me let out a “woohoo” in the room. The only negative was that my bad cholesterol increased a bit (must be those eggs?), but Amy wasn’t concerned due to the level and the improvement to my good cholesterol. I was PUMPED!
Part of getting healthier meant starting back, once again, to Planet Fitness. Since joining, I’ve had a handful of times when I would “get committed” only to be “too busy” a few months (or even weeks) later. So, after May 14, 2020, I started going three times a week. Then, I started going additional times or walking during the other days. I kid you not….there are times currently that I exercise all seven days a week. Not always. With my oldest sister battling back from a horrendous case of Covid, there are some Tuesdays when I opt to rest due to teaching and going to visit with her. I’ve stuck with the “need to” long enough that it became a habit. Plus, can you believe….when I don’t exercise now…it seems….odd.
Besides getting healthier, I also chose to try new things and explore beliefs. Now, if you’re one of my friends reading this, be assured…this does not have anything to do with my faith. I am certain that I am a child of God, and I strive to serve Him. However, at times, I realized I would do things or not do things because it was what I have always been told.
What? Here’s an example. At the age of 50, I had never ordered a drink or tried alcohol. I am not joking. Well, I may have taken a sip of someone’s strawberry daiquiri when I was in college and a group of girls went out for dinner, but that was the extent of my experience. I simply would say, “I don’t drink.” Why? I was always told it was wrong, which in my walk-the-line Christian-girl mindset translated to drinking alcohol being sinful. Now, walk with me just a bit. I’m certain there are some of you who are thinking I’ve gone crazy. Others of you probably think that belief was crazy. Here’s the deal. I’m a smart person. I know Jesus Himself turned water into wine at a wedding. Now, I do know that getting drunk is a sin (Ephesians 5:18). I also know that I tend to have an addictive personality, so I always rationalized my not trying alcohol as…”If I like it, then becoming an alcoholic could happen.” However, in my “Finding Jodi” journey, I told my colleagues that whenever we finally went out for a meal together that I was going to order and drink my first beverage. We did. I did. I was not a fan of what I ordered (Peach Margarita, peaches are my favorite fruit, so I thought it would give it a chance.). Then, I saw the bill. Goodness! Before my “getting healthy” quest ever started, I stopped ordering soft drinks at restaurants because the price was too much. This means that the price of that drink at the restaurant is enough to deter me from EVER ordering another. However, if I’m at a friend’s house, I may try a glass of wine, just to see. Thankfully, I don’t foresee my addictive personality kicking in on this avenue.
Another aspect of “Finding Jodi” renewed another old activity. Way back in the 80s, I started putting my feelings and thoughts into poetry. I remember thinking in high school that it would be “cool” to be a poet one day. Now, honestly, I realize that making a living as a poet won’t be happening. However, I’ve written a few poems along these past 365 days. Plus, I’ve started typing ALL of my poems from high school, college, and the few I’ve written thereafter. I’m hoping to continue to do this and self-publish Kaleidoscope of Poetry by Valentine’s Day 2022. I originally wanted to finish it this summer, but I didn’t realize how many poems I needed to type. Goodness!
As I’ve shared previously, I did request last spring and was granted the opportunity to try a new grade level as an educator. When I was in college, I had hoped to do my student teaching in 4th grade. As a substitute, fourth grade was probably my favorite. Don’t get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching 3rd grade for those 24 years. I had accepted Christ as a 3rd grader, so I always felt that teaching third graders connected my two worlds (Even though as a public school teacher, I was unable to teach my beliefs). Granted, with Covid regulations, the year I just finished is not a clear reflection of how well I’ll do in fourth grade. However, I’m EXCITED about ideas for our grade level and instruction ideas & activities that beckon to be tried in Room 404. That change seems like a great fit.
Did I meet all my goals or dreams for my “mid-life crisis”? Nope. I had hoped to learn how to fire a gun. Why? I’m single. It seems like a smart plan. Of course, even though I’ve decided to learn how to fire a gun, I’m not as certain as whether or not I want to be a gun owner, so there’s that….
Oh, what do you do for your 51st birthday when you’re single? Well, first you go to Planet Fitness and have a 51 minute workout where you do 51 reps on the machines or exercises that you select to do. Then, you meet with the nurse practitioner to learn if your numbers have improved on your fasting-lab work. For lunch, you meet your parents before going to their house to train your mom on using Google. In the evening, you go with one of your sisters and brother-in-law to visit your nephew for dinner. Then, when you finally get home, you fall asleep a few hours later than your normal bedtime. And…my 52nd year is off to a great start!
Jodi Lea Pflaumer, Author 