No Cookie No Lie

Last night, my 9 yr old daughter made the family cookies....and I refused to eat any.

This morning, I had lost 2 lbs. just like that.

It actually broke my heart a little bit. Really hated not acknowledging her hard work by helping enjoy it with the family.

I’ve had a real tough time ignoring sweets in my life. I love Reese’s Pieces... and Peanut Butter Cups... and chocolate, well any candy chocolate bar...

Sara and I have had fights over this because come end of day, my will power gives up and I grab something from the “snack cabinet”.

A couple months ago, I started making sure I had everything I need for the last couple hours of my day (glass of water, hot tea... laptop, book... whatever) so that I wouldn’t leave the room and maybe walk into the kitchen during those hours and be tempted to open the cabinet.

Still... I would grab something mid day... or after dinner. You know, just a little something sweet... get that sweet taste in my mouth.

I wish I could remember what it was... I was listening to a podcast or audio book recently, and someone on it said (and of course they were speaking JUST to me) ??

“I needed to redefine myself. As long as I was a person who ate sweets, I would keep eating sweets. I needed to be someone who didn’t eat sweets. That needed to be WHO I was, ‘ I’m sorry, I can’t eat that, I don’t eat sweets.’ “

I put healthy “snacks” in the cabinet that weren’t sweet: Pumpkin seeds, nuts, radishes in fridge. So if I opened the cabinet mid day or after dinner I had something different to grab...

We went to Rita’s and I sat in the car. Family asked for Dunkin’ Donuts one day... I said no and I would make breakfast for everyone. Donuts of any form are a major weakness... 

I went several weeks clean and then In truth we went to Rita’s on Mother’s Day as well and I joined in eating, have to be able to make rare special exception, right? I struggled with this one after the fact... I mean, my new definition was “I don’t eat sweets.” But I just did.

Then came last night. My daughter was in the kitchen, being all secretive with my wife. I had this sinking feeling in my stomach that I knew what they were doing... she was getting all excited....

And finally they came out with this plate of cookies for each of us.... not one big plate to share, each of us got a plate with 5) fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. 

Sigh

I looked at it... my stomach sank

Or did it churn

“I don’t eat sweets” (in my head)

Then out loud “Thank you so much! These look great... wow they smell so good.... and I’m sorry, I can’t eat these.”

She was taken aback... a bit, Sara jumped in “Wow, babe... I’m so proud of you.”

The kids know I have been working really hard to eat healthier... and BE healthier.

Couple more times through the night:

“I’m so proud of you.”

“Way to go, Dad.”

And... I swear, I lost 2 lbs over night.

Little victories.

It's these little victories, these tiny habits that stack up in the work place too... when starting a new position, when pushing past your ceiling of achievement, when overcoming your own leadership lid.

One step at a time.

One time you don't pick up your cell phone when you should be bunkered and working on your Big Rock for the day.

One phone call to your next prospect; one care call to a current client-- unprecedented times.

One HUGE Leap of faith as you quit your job and start your own company.

One amazing partnership, an on fire new hire.

Each step the right direction is one step along the journey. Sometimes you pause. Sometimes you turn around and go a different direction. And many times we will fail...

AND, it's recognition of the failure accompanied with a choice to keep moving that will be your success story.

I know it's mine, and it's not done being written yet.

Love you, kiddo. Thanks for the cookies. Thanks for being part of my story.

I’m gonna not eat them so I can make sure I’m here as long as possible with you to enjoy watching you give to others over and over again.