This morning I stopped by my co-worker's office for a chat. Turns out he wasn't feeling so well. Spring is unkind to his sinuses and besides the discomfort inherent in that condition, his sleep was significantly disturbed. He was tempted to stay in bed after having "slept in". He made the conscious and difficult decision to leave his house at 5:45 and run for three miles. Yesterday morning by 5:00 he was heading for the pool.
Roxy is training for a triathlon. He has run many, but he is in training for THE BIG ONE, the Ironman. It consists of three consecutive events: a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle and a 26 mile run. (If you are interested in learning more, click below):
Roxy is training for a triathlon. He has run many, but he is in training for THE BIG ONE, the Ironman. It consists of three consecutive events: a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle and a 26 mile run. (If you are interested in learning more, click below):
Roxy and me at the 2014 Alabama Counseling Association Conference, Huntsville, AL
Whether you run marathons, parent children, attend classes or run a business, you will face obstacles that are no fun to overcome. Perhaps you contend with a disability or chronic illness. You might have a difficult supervisor or professor. The baggage you carry from past trauma or bad relationships could be a weight on your shoulders. Life may have disappointed you, leaving you feeling hopeless and helpless.
You are neither hopeless nor helpless.
You are in control of your own choices! You can decide to do difficult things. Do not allow circumstances to determine your future.
Roxy knows a basic principle of life, that work is required if goals are to be met. If it were easy, everyone would do it. He could have stayed in bed this morning. He wanted to sleep. His body probably needed the rest. It hurt to get up and moving. He made a choice to ignore discomfort and do what needed to be done, as successful people all over the world do.
These medals represent years of physical training and education in techniques, nutrition, equipment and more. They did not happen all at once. They started with a choice to exercise, and that began with
a step, followed by a step, followed by a step.
a step, followed by a step, followed by a step.
Success is a series of decisions to do unpleasant, uncomfortable, inconvenient things that have long-range benefits. It does not matter where you start, only THAT you start. It is not necessary to be the best at anything, but quality of life improves as you move forward toward your God-given potential.
This principle applies not only to exercise, but to relationships, academics, mental health, career development, spiritual growth--in short, to every area in life.
Do you need to drop a bad habit, get out of a bad relationship, pursue a meaningful career or get into better physical shape? What difficult step can you take today to get on the road to a better life?
Do you need to drop a bad habit, get out of a bad relationship, pursue a meaningful career or get into better physical shape? What difficult step can you take today to get on the road to a better life?