Fortune Cookie Friday: Slowly But Surely
When trying to get somewhere and you find yourself running out of time, it’s understandable that you would want to take a shortcut.
If I knew of an alternate route that got me to my destination faster and without incident, I would take it. Please note that I included the words “without incident.” It’s important not to put ourselves or others at risk just for a quick fix. This is especially true for health and safety issues.
Many people turn to quick fixes for weight loss or repairing things around the home, but many of these can end in failure or harm.
When it comes to losing weight after over-indulging during the holidays, we need to recognize that those pounds won’t come off overnight. It takes the body time to add on the weight, and it will take time and effort to get rid of it. There is no magic pill to do it for you, no matter what the ads say.
The body will burn off that fat and create muscle if we exercise regularly. Of course, even then, it will take some time. If we do too much, too fast, we can injure our muscles, joints, or ligaments. Most doctors and physical therapists recommend an exercise regimen for each individual’s skill and fitness level.
Need to make a little home improvement? Has your Honey-Do list gotten a little too long? Don’t cut corners if you want it done right. Sure, a little duct tape or a zip-tie can temporarily fix almost any minor issue, but for larger jobs or repairs you’re unfamiliar with, use the correct methods.
Let’s say you need to repair a hole in your wall. You could take the easy path and hang a painting over the hole if it’s at the right height, but how many end up that way? The correct cover-up requires a proven patch. You will want to have all the supplies, prep the area, patch, fill, and finish to perfection. If you’re unsure how to do it, research the steps or call a professional. Either way, the extra effort will make it look like there was never a hole, to begin with.
Avoiding shortcuts in food prep is also important. You may have heard some of the Thanksgiving horror stories of undercooked turkey. Many cases of food poisoning could have been prevented by following a recipe step-by-step and double-checking the bird’s internal temperature with a thermometer instead of depending on the small, plastic button.
If you’re into food storage, such as canning vegetables or jams, you definitely don’t want to skip any steps. Take the time to make sure all your equipment is clean, jars and contents are at optimal temperatures, and you check that everything is sealed up tight before shelving your season’s bounty. Peanut butter and botulism sandwiches don’t taste too good, and bread stuck to the roof of your mouth is the least of your worries.
Remember that shortcuts in life only get us closer to that inevitable end. Take your time and do things right for a happier, healthier, extended life.
