Random Rants On Life & Stuff

“I’ll start on Monday.” 

That statement became a running joke between my friend Frank and me.  In 2000-2003 I lived in town called Hailey, located in central Idaho.  Frank, his wife Nikki, and their children became very good friends of mine.  Frank and I were always talking about “Body for Life” (an exercise program) and how we planned to start “on Monday.” We’d be watching a movie, eating some hot custard and brownies…

“Boy, Body for Life, eh?”

“Yeah, looks like I’ll start on Monday.” 

Monday always came and went and I never could quite get it together to really kick-off the program.  

I can be a bit of a perfectionist.  I don’t start something without asking questions, reading about it online, getting all the right equipment/gear; all with the good intention of helping to ensure my success (or just an elaborate scheme to procrastinate while looking intentional).  When I start something I want to know how it’s done, because I want to do it correctly.  I have to be prepared ahead of time.  This, if I’m perfectly honest, often boils down to insecurity and lack of confidence and other times pride disguised with a lot thorough planning and efficiency.  I don’t want to start out fumbling; I want to look the part from the get-go.

I’ll start on Monday.

Life brings all kinds of moments or seasons that require us make a decision, to execute, stay the course, and follow through.  (Not just exercise)  Sometimes we can’t even get out of the gate.  Heck, sometimes even getting to the gate is a feat in-and-of-itself. 

Lack of discipline.  Laziness.  Lack of confidence.  More accountability.  Stubbornness.  Pride.  Shame.  Pain.  Doing the work.

There are countless reasons for why we procrastinate, ignore, or just flat our refuse to do “that one thing.”  More often than not there is “that one thing” you know you need to be doing, you know you really wish you were doing, but for whatever reason you choose not to. 

And there is the rub: Y O U

You are the only person that can fix the situation.  You can’t blame someone else (usually).  Sure you can say it was someone else’s fault that you are in “this” situation and rightly so, maybe you didn’t choose to end up in this place, but who is keeping you there?  A decision has to be made and most often that lever is in your hand.

Sometimes you just have to accept the situation and decide to leave whatever it is that is holding you back behind and press ahead.  Hopefully there are people in your life that can support you through it and have the patience to walk with you, encourage you, and spur you on.

It’s Monday.  Are we ready to pull the trigger?  Or will we wait to start Monday.