I Don't Care...

I'm one of the worst at the concept of time.  I'd like to blame it on my age, but I've been teased about it since I was 18.  The grand-poopa of my memory lapses are:  "The other day...", only to be reminded it was many months ago; or "Remember last year..."  when whatever event I think is important enough to recall actually took place within the last couple of months...or even days! This is probably fairly common with anyone older than four.  The memory of the event is much stronger in our mind than the timing of the event.  Which leads me to those annoying people that have the selective memory of saying "I used to..."

"I used to bench..."
"I used to have time to..."
"I used to cook..."
"I used to weigh..."
"I used to be able to..."

Well...I don't care what you USED to...
If you can't do it or just don't do it...then hush...I'd rather not hear about it.  What I would be interested in is what you can do now.  Seems peoples memories can get selective on the things they "used" to do.  When those things come up it is usually in an effort to praise themselves or because they just like to hear themselves talk; or perhaps they are a bit distraught because they no longer have the discipline for it now, and feel a need to try to impress others with their past.  In fact...isn't saying "I used to" actually admitting that they have gone backward in life, become less efficient, gotten lazier, life has become less important?  Perhaps not in all cases, but as I reflect on when I've heard it said...or the times when I know I have said it...it rings true.

Tell me what you CAN do.  Tell me what you are GOING to do.  Tell me where you are adjusting your life for the better.  Impress me with your discipline, even when time and the struggles of life fight against you.  If you want to tell me what you USED to...then it needs to be followed up with why you can't now, what you replaced it with, and/or most importantly, why I should care.  Is there a positive lesson in it; or did you just get lazy, busy, fat, or just distracted?  And what are you doing to change or replace it?  I'd love to hear the "I used to..."  followed up by something greater.

I used to work out three times a week...but now I work out five times.
I used to bench 200 pounds...but now run 5 miles a day.
I used to weight 165 pounds...put I got busy and put on weight.  I'll be back to 165 in less than a year.
I used to crochet...but with my arthritis I had to take up painting.

As for me...I "used' to have more patience with people...but I'm getting older and have less time for others lack of discipline; especially when bragging about the past when the present is in disarray.

~ Digger