[CHANGES] Recreation & Announcments

[Sandra Ahten]

Hello!

I’m just back from a wonderful and eventful California vacation. You don’t 
have time to hear every detail, but I do have to tell you that I saw eight 
whales off the coast of San Diego; witnessed 500 plus elephant seals; saw 
10s of thousands of Monarch butterflies as they were wintering; and stood in 
awe of the redwood trees. Wow.

In addition, I ate wonderfully and gained no weight. I’ll tell you about my 
strategy in my next column.  In the mean time, I’ve pasted below my last 
column. You’ll find it after the announcements.

THE REASONABLE DIET
Groups providing AIM (Accountability, Information, and Motivation). Groups 
are meeting Tuesday 10:30am; Tuesday 5:30pm; and Saturday 9:30am. You can 
find more info at my website www.reasonablediet.com.

ART CLASS
Have you always wanted to learn to draw? To paint? To be encouraged in 
uncovering and discovering your creative side. Join me as I works one-on-one 
with adult and teen students each week. “Art With Intention” is a 10 week – 
open studio time to come and be taught and/ or explore your own voice. You 
can purchase 5 – 9 (2 hour) sessions to be used anytime in the ten weeks.

Where? Cherry Alley Artist Studios at the Independent Media Center in the 
lower level of the downtown Urbana Post Office.
Cost? $120 for 5 sessions; $162 for 9 sessions.
When? Start date as soon as January 26. Sessions run through March 30.

SLAM-JAM / ROMP-STOMP
A Cultural Showcase to benefit the IMC / Books 2 Prisoners
Saturday, January 28th from 7pm - 9pm
Independent Media Center / 202 S. Broadway, downtown Urbana in the old Post 
Office

Featuring: Tyehimba Jess, awarding winning performance poet; Matt Murrey
poet & activist; The Theory of Everything,  metaphysical, political, 
spacefolk rock with funk and finesse; DJ liMbs & UC Hip Hip;  The Radical 
Cheerleaders, Uni High Writers & more...

Suggested donation $5-$20, All proceeds to be divided between the 
Independent Media Center & Books2Prisoners.  We'll also be collecting 
paperback dictionaries for Books2Prisoners.

*************************************
“Recreation”
Copyright 2006 by Sandra Ahten

As the oldest girl in a family of seven, I had a lot of responsibility and 
little time for daydreaming. Being an innovator though, I found ways to 
combine my chores with my fantasy life.

I'm sure my head was in the clouds -- perhaps dreaming of joining the Peace 
Corps, or pretending to be a character from some novel I was reading -- when 
my father brought me down to earth.

I was vacuuming the living room. Dad stormed in and had a fit because I 
wasn't using enough elbow grease. He grabbed the handle of the old brown 
Electrolux, "This is how you vacuum." He attacked the rug, shoving the 
apparatus back and forth in front of him.

Years later, a vacuum salesman was showing me his wares. As I was testing 
it, he admonished, "Slow down. The machine does the work. You just guide 
it."

Tears welled in my eyes as the childhood memory flooded me. It was a memory 
of a girl who never used enough elbow grease, didn’t quite measure up and 
yearned for Dad’s approval.

I’m sure the salesperson was perplexed by my stammering, but I’m sure he 
didn’t mind as I quickly signed a contract to buy more vacuum cleaner than I 
would ever need.

Although the vacuum cleaner was too expensive, the lesson that crystallized 
for me in that moment was priceless: Dad’s solution is not the only solution 
-- working harder is not the absolute answer.

While I do value the work ethic that my parents taught me, I now have a 
history of making positive changes in my life by letting go of the 
buckle-down attitude. I started finding ways to turn toward solutions that 
are more comfortable; more rewarding; more recreational. In the 
recreational, I have re-created myself.

For instance, when I decided to go to college it seemed like a hard thing to 
do. How would I find time and support my family? When contrasted with 
sticking it out in corporate administration though, the choice felt like 
pure recreation. I have no regrets.

During this season of birthing new ideas, of re-creating ourselves -- how 
can we let go of the idea that working harder to achieve our goals is the 
only solution?

Many of us have tried diets that have felt too hard. Following some diets is 
like a part-time job. It is important to enjoy the process of making 
healthier choices, so that the changes can be sustained.

Here are some ideas you can use to move recreationally toward a healthier 
lifestyle.

1) Adjust your attitude by replacing “should” with “get to.” As in: “I get 
to take a walk.” “I get to eat more vegetables.” You’ll find yourself 
reminded that not everyone can walk. Not everyone can afford fresh 
vegetables. Attitude alone can make a process seem more recreational.

2) Be open-minded. Re-create the way you cook; how you celebrate; who does 
the shopping. Old habits often seem like the only way to do things. They are 
not.

3) Remember your successes. Remind yourself how empowering it felt to meet 
your goals -- even for one week or one day. Concentrate on that feeling, 
instead of on the times that you fell short.

4) Are you dreading a discussion with your boss? Would it feel recreational 
to have it over? Are you so sleep deprived that going to bed earlier might 
feel recreational?

Often, due to a negative body image, dieting is the focus of where one wants 
to make a change in ones life. Try making recreational choices in other 
areas of your life and watch healthy food and exercise come more easily too.

5) Look for balance. Let go of the need to vacuum as if your life depended 
on it and instead connect with the child in you who knows that daydreaming 
and vacuuming are perfect companions.


HEALTHY LIVING TIP

The Armory Building (505 E Armory, Champaign) offers a walking/jogging 
membership to the public. Daily fee: $3/individual or $5/family. Per 
semester: $50 or $75. Enter at the southwest corner. 333-0534. 
http://fightingillini.collegesports.com/genrel/Armory.html
Please contact me if you know of other indoor walking facilities.