Summer came and went in Seattle without any warning. I didn't do anything eventful, important, or especially fun all summer. An afternoon drive up to LaConner with my friend Joy one Saturday and Labor Day weekend in Vancouver were the extent of my travels out of the city. My writing group was on hiatus, and although toward the end of the summer I wrote one story and started a second, I didn't do any writing pretty much all summer long.

I had somewhat of a revelation recently, and out of this is coming a new commitment. I've used my high level of job satisfaction in the past year as an excuse not to look for ways to nurture myself outside work. But I really don't think this is all that healthy. My job continues to provide rewards, although some recent changes are diminishing those. Nevertheless, there are things I should be doing--community service, volunteer work, or something--that I'm not. Even writing, if I could get truly serious about it and commit to it every day, would be better than just relying on my job to fulfill me and make a difference. And being more consistent with exercise (for which there shouldn't even be an option) is crucial. I've been working long days, though, and by the time I get out of work, I'm always too hungry or too tired to feel like exercising.

These things need to change. I have yet to figure out what changes to make (I was sick this week, and still getting over it, so I haven't taken any action yet), but I need to do something.

I should start with something small. Going to the gym is probably most critical, so maybe I should make a firm and absolute commitment to 45 minutes of aerobics 4 times a week.

Look at that "maybe." Okay, let's try again:

Minimum of four times a week, I'm going to do 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, starting next week.

You heard it here first.