the 13th letter tries to build a foundation

[the 13th letter]

See the full challenge description for details. This is the abridged version.

• I feel like I've been going in circles for these past challenges. Nothing sticks for longer than a challenge or two.
  
• That's not a good reason to give up. And there are good reasons to continue.
  
• But it's a good reason to re-examine my strategy.
  
• But that is not a good reason to take a break.
  
• So I'm doing a "normal" challenge of sorts, but the actual task is to spend this time thinking about how to not go wrong again.

Goals (as a homage to The Legend of Zelda, because Triforce, and I approve of trying force):

1. Power: do Convict Conditioning exercises daily. Includes low-intensity, "off-day" exercises. Details to be posted later.
   
2. Wisdom: rest enough, at the right time. Because sleep is an important part of health.
   
3. Courage: apply for a job (as a Ph.D. student). Because selling oneself is scary. But necessary.

Yes, if you read any of my previous challenges, then you've seen this before, in one way or another. That's the point. This isn't supposed to be novel, this is supposed to build a foundation. One that outlasts more than just a couple of challenges.

---

Comments requested. Thanks for visiting.

[Sweet Pea]

Looks good. I feel much the same way regarding how many challenges I've completed, and how much hasn't stuck permanently. I'll be following, watching for ideas on how to make things stick, and leaving helpful advice that I come across since I am doing much that same thing (that is, "starting over" and wanting it to be the last time I "start over.")

[AshPS]

Whoooooooo hoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! It's M, it's M, it's M!!!!!

 

Okay, I'm done, ahem......

 

Nice to see you M.

 

Seriously though, I'll join the club, facing a bit of the same in my own challenge this go around. So don't feel alone my friend.

 

We are just REALLY glad to have you back.........if you didn't pick up on that already.  

 

Awesome challenge, now on to the butt kicking!

[Kishi]

You know what you gotta do, M. Build that foundation. Make it stick.

[forkboy]

Welcome back and you'll do awesome I'm sure of it!

[Teirin]

Hey M :-)  That sleep one is major.  It'll make all the difference.

[Cheechoe]

How did I miss this over here?

 

 

You are a sneaky Ninja.

 

 

How's the challenge going?

[Swampling]

M? Hello? Anybody home?

How are you doing so far?

[Kishi]

Oi oi oi!

 

You still fighting over there?

[- Will -]

Yo M! How's the fight? Hope you're doing alright buddy

 

When you get the chance, leave an update! We'd love to hear how you've been doing

[the 13th letter]

It's not going well.

Grandpa is in hospital, diagnosed with a terminal disease. Grandma isn't coping with it very well.

I'm not upset about it, it's not really surprising, given his age. But it's making me question the sense of many things… including my challenge goals. They feel pointless, and ultimately futile. Rationally, I know this isn't true; I know that, if this were to happen to anyone else, that I'd tell them precisely to focus on themselves and on the things they can change, like their health, their strength, and their career. Nevertheless, I still feel this way (pointlessness and futility). It adds an enormous amount of inertia to anything I want to do.

Anyway, my Mom has taken charge of making sure I don't grind to a halt. So I probably won't. Still, don't expect any miracles anytime soon.

[- Will -]

I'm terribly sorry for what's happening to you right now.

And I can understand, to an extent, the loss of motivation and feeling like there's a lack of meaning to anything. I've been dealing with that for the past three weeks, but not under the same circumstances as you.

 

I honestly don't know of any advice to give. Usually, when a friend is in trouble, I'll do what I can to help get them out, but in this case, I'm not sure what to do. All I can say is to keep moving forward, because things will only improve if you keep moving forward. Moving on it's own might not bring about better times at first, but better times won't come by unless you move forward. That's all I know.

 

If it's any condolence, a similar experience happened to me. My grandad on my mom's side passed away last year. I never really knew him all that well, and what I knew of him was him during his declining years, but I still saddened with me when he was gone. He was a great guy, and even though I didn't get to see it, a lot of other people did. So I guess I'm glad he was at least able to have such a large positive impact with his life. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but I just wanted to share that with you. I'm not in your shoes, but I can relate a little bit.

 

Anyways, I want you know this: I'm your friend, along with the Brigade, and plenty of other people around here on NF. If you need to talk, I'll listen. We'll listen. And if you ask for help, I'll do whatever I can.

 

So yeah, just remember, we're friends. We'll all be there for you.

[Swampling]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandpa. Losing a loved one is always hard, and there are no words in this world that can make it any less painful.

 

Take your time and spend it with your family if you can. But it's good to hear that your Mom has your back - she sounds like an awesome woman!

 

Sending good thoughts your way!

[Tkal]

I'm sorry for your Grandpa. I've been in that boat since last spring, coming back here only now. This sort of things takes plenty of mental energy, much more than solving some equation, so try to keep at least the "get enough sleep" part of the challenge. A fresh mind is the only thing that help to keep the right perspective

 

Big virtual hug