The Things We Don’t Want To Do.

I said to my wife this morning, “Let’s go get some cake and coffee and spend the day in bed.” We’re currently being slammed by a hurricane, and it is time for me to hit the gym. I don’t want to work out. And that got me thinking. The things we don’t want to do in many cases, are the things that help us the most.

I work out 365 days a year. On the weekends, I go extra hard. This morning though, I had no interest in working out. Let alone going hard. I was up late last night, and it is a beautiful rainy day. You know, perfect for sleeping and old shows. But here I am, covered in sweat because I went hard. I am glad I did, but I still would rather have stayed in bed with cake and coffee.

Have you ever noticed the things we don’t want to do are the things that will help us the most? Case in point this morning. The work out has so many advantages. I also meditate daily. Another thing I hate to do. And yet when I am done, I am relaxed and free of stress and most pain. Same would hold true about my job. Sure, I work for myself. But if I don’t bang away on a daily basis, money will get tight, and that stress will creep in.

It really seems that the things we resist, actually liberate us. Have you ever had a hard conversation that you had been dreading to have, only to feel the weight of the world lifted off of your shoulders? Or at the very least, you now have clarity. They have a saying used in the military. They say, “Embrace the suck.” Or as Nike would say, “Just do it.” We can complain, prolong, and hide for as long as we’d like. But those problems, are the path. {Sorry, the Buddhist in me came out.}

So, no cake for me. But I feel good like I accomplished something. And although it is Sunday and the storm is raging, I am in the right head space for Monday. Tonight, I will get some wife and tv time. And the bonus, there will be cake and coffee too.

Do the right thing. Do the things you don’t want to do. Freedom lies on the other side of a little discomfort. And many times, we make it so much worse than it actually is.