The truth is that almost every day we have to do things we don't want to do. I don't think others are as extreme as me, but really....doesn't it just annoy you that you have to brush your teeth so many times a day? (Oh, that's just me?) I know there are some people who bounce out of bed on Monday mornings and can't wait to get to the office, but I am not one of them. Even though I really don't mind working once I get there. The idea of having to do it mentally exhausts me before I even start!
Who likes to pay the electric bill instead of buying a new outfit? OK, sometimes I hate to shop so much that I just may....but more times than not I would prefer the outfit.
Who wants so much money in their paychecks coming out for taxes and Social Security? But how great is it when we have roads that are drivable and schools to teach our children and public libraries full of books to read or seniors getting those Social Security checks?!
Who likes washing windows? But sometimes we must do it so we can see the sunrise and sunset views in all their glory.
Who likes washing windows? But sometimes we must do it so we can see the sunrise and sunset views in all their glory.
The rebel side of me is always going to fight against "doing stuff." The realist side of me knows I must. The truth is that each time I do one of those things that I don't like to do, I am taking a step toward a better life.
So I will get out of bed, go to work, earn a paycheck and pay those essential bills that give me shelter and food and even entertainment. That's how I build the base of my life. I will change the oil in my car and get it inspected and get new tires....because that car takes me all kinds of great places and it makes for a better journey if it doesn't break down along the way or I don't see that blue light in my rear view window. I will run and work out with weights and do painful things like squats and pushups and lunges....because that is how I build a body that will carry me strongly forward as I age. I will eat right, and not just exist on chocolate, because that will fuel my journey and who wants water in their gas tank? Good food builds my body into an efficient machine.
I will always struggle with doing most things. I hate to clean house and I hate to go through all of the papers that gather in my house (sometimes my mailbox is the enemy!), and I hate to go through my closets and get rid of clothes and shoes that I don't need. These are second tiers tasks on my to do list, however. I give myself permission to not be perfect at them. The truth is that I really don't want a lot of hours of my life devoted to such things, so I will probably never be strongly motivated to do them. But I need to do them a bit better than my inclinations. Having lots of stuff hoarded that I don't wear but that others need....pure selfishness. I need that thought to spur me to make a few trips to donate those things to others. That requires that I hunt and gather them, or in other words, clean some closets and drawers.
When it gets down to it, having a great life requires we do the "don't wannas". Doing things we don't want to do are the building blocks to the things that will eventually reward us. We invest our lives by giving up a little bit of the present doing these things that will be the foundation for the future. A bit of delayed gratification is necessary for the big payodff.
So I will get out of bed, go to work, earn a paycheck and pay those essential bills that give me shelter and food and even entertainment. That's how I build the base of my life. I will change the oil in my car and get it inspected and get new tires....because that car takes me all kinds of great places and it makes for a better journey if it doesn't break down along the way or I don't see that blue light in my rear view window. I will run and work out with weights and do painful things like squats and pushups and lunges....because that is how I build a body that will carry me strongly forward as I age. I will eat right, and not just exist on chocolate, because that will fuel my journey and who wants water in their gas tank? Good food builds my body into an efficient machine.
I will always struggle with doing most things. I hate to clean house and I hate to go through all of the papers that gather in my house (sometimes my mailbox is the enemy!), and I hate to go through my closets and get rid of clothes and shoes that I don't need. These are second tiers tasks on my to do list, however. I give myself permission to not be perfect at them. The truth is that I really don't want a lot of hours of my life devoted to such things, so I will probably never be strongly motivated to do them. But I need to do them a bit better than my inclinations. Having lots of stuff hoarded that I don't wear but that others need....pure selfishness. I need that thought to spur me to make a few trips to donate those things to others. That requires that I hunt and gather them, or in other words, clean some closets and drawers.
When it gets down to it, having a great life requires we do the "don't wannas". Doing things we don't want to do are the building blocks to the things that will eventually reward us. We invest our lives by giving up a little bit of the present doing these things that will be the foundation for the future. A bit of delayed gratification is necessary for the big payodff.
The truth is that doing these things don't have to be miserable experiences. So much is about our attitudes. Some of the most enjoyable times of my life were spent doing things that really shouldn't have been fun. Whether it was the company I was keeping or the knowledge that I was helping someone else, or knowing they were going to lead me to something worth working for....It was easy to keep a good attitude. Sometimes we forget that each minute is a building block for our life. Do we waste it away or invest it in something that will make our future more memorable?
While reading my life away often sounds lovely, I am not sure it would be something I would be proud of in retrospect. Oh, many hours are spent doing it, and I love those times, but instead of my whole life being about that they should be times I savor. Instead I would like my life to have been vital and full and fun and meaningful and well lived. I want to have been a kind person who gave to others, was a good friend and family member, worked hard, played hard, honored God, and gave to the world even more than I got. That takes time and effort and patience. I still haven't figured out how to get back less than I invest, so that part seems a bit impossible! But what fun to try anyway. Sort of like trying to out give God....the impossible goal that is rewarding to pursue.
While reading my life away often sounds lovely, I am not sure it would be something I would be proud of in retrospect. Oh, many hours are spent doing it, and I love those times, but instead of my whole life being about that they should be times I savor. Instead I would like my life to have been vital and full and fun and meaningful and well lived. I want to have been a kind person who gave to others, was a good friend and family member, worked hard, played hard, honored God, and gave to the world even more than I got. That takes time and effort and patience. I still haven't figured out how to get back less than I invest, so that part seems a bit impossible! But what fun to try anyway. Sort of like trying to out give God....the impossible goal that is rewarding to pursue.
I will plug on, doing the things I don't want to do. Because in the end, it is all worth it. They will pay dividends. I wish I had done an even better job of reaping and sowing during most of my life, but the great news is....I still have time to see what kind of garden I can grow! It's pretty good even with my slack self. But I want to shoot for majestic!
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