Light-Working and Passive Voice
I do not know about you, but I find exercising is a key to radiant health. I run on an exercise bike for most of my exercise as of late. I find that exercising a substantial amount (maybe 30-60 minutes) every day is an activity that nothing can replace. It will bring you greater mental clarity, a better physical condition, more spirituality, and a better outlook on life. It is right up there with laughter as one of the better medicines out there. I just wish doctors would prescribe it more. Getting fit is a personal goal for me. I started this goal in March of last year, so one year in the making so far. I’m down at least ten pounds from previously, and my energy level is substantially higher. My diet has also changed to a plant/fruit/nut-based diet with few grains and meats, and an almost complete exlcusion of dairy. I’m not a big fan of diary anyway, so that is not a big problem.
I can say that I feel lighter. Much lighter. It is easier to move around without this extra weight and harmful products floating around in my body. I feel more mentally sound and can concentrate better. I strive to continue this state of being by upping my exercise regime to include more cardio exercises and possibly some weight training, if I can muster it. I am not looking to be some gigantic guy, just strong enough to get through my workout. “I exercise to get through the workout.”
Currently, I am working on a project that has something to do with improving my writing and also conveying ideas in an articulate yet subtle manner. My first task was to eliminate what they call “passive voice.” That is not an easy task. I am working on it consciously every day I sit down to write, even when I am journaling. Supposedly, and this is from an Enlglish teacher way back in 11th grade, “have + verb = passive voice.” So I “have not done this yet,” would be passive voice.
Another roadblock I am currenlty working to eliminate is contractions. I remember in my first semester of college, I had this professor, well he was not really a professor, more of an assistant director of Residence Life who taught my class called Academy 101. He used to hand back the few papers I wrote for him with the words, “I do not accept contractions.” He took points off for it. It was a subconscious thing for me at that point, writing contractions, and I did not think anything of it when I handed in a paper filled with “I’ms” and “They’res.” I could say I learned my lesson, but it took until now to properly implement it. When I realize that these new techniques will not only help me, but the readers of my blog, it really puts everything full-circle and allows me to keep up this practice of bettering myself and the way I write, just so I can help others do the same. Why stagnate at a perpetual point with no acceleration when you can take the initiative to at least try to get better?
Another occurrence in my life. I am going for a full-out cancellation of watching any television. The last show I watched was last night, a new South Park episode, which I usually find quite entertaining. As of late, their episodes, or at least the last two new ones, were not really funny or entertaining. I may and plan to stop watching that show altogether, and because it is now the only show I watch, it will completely wipe out my television viewership. I used to love television when I was younger. Now I see that no matter what is on the tube, there is something better going on in real life. I used to have this joke I told, “I hate it when I see a movie that was based on a true story. It would have been better if I saw it in real life.” I know it uses passive voice, but that was me before this transition. But it rings true. You are better off experiencing something firsthand than you are experiencing it passively through a piece of “furniture” or “appliance.”
I can say goodbye to contractions and passive voice and bring on a new era of speedy, dilligent writing that gets to the point without extra words to fill the gap. I feel awkward writing like this, as it may take time to adjust. It is an ever-winding process, but it is yet another challenge for me to overcome. I need to start studying other ways to improve the way I communicate. Just recently, maybe five to six months ago, I improved my speech and how clearly I talk and now I even say the whole word, r’s and all. (I come from the Northeast, where “ca” instead of “car” is a given.) That is all for today. Hopefully I can sustain this level of discipline in all of these repsects. It was fun giving birth to this post. Good day.
April 1st, 2007 at 3:19 am
Hi Andrew. I think your attitude toward improviing health and well-being is simply fantastic. I’ve read stories about excellent marathon runners who are vegans. Early humans were actually herbivores. Amazing how society and media brainwash humans into thinking they have to eat certain things.