I don’t jog because I like it.
I jog because I have to.
No, no one is threatening my life if I don’t go, nor do I believe that I would suffer sudden death or have the IRS garnish my entire paycheck the next gazillion years and be left homeless again if I opt out of it. However, I know that if I don’t suck it up and do it, I won’t feel as good as I could—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Furthermore, I know that if choose something more difficult, I’ll feel even better yet.
We’d All Rather Make the Easier Choice
Sure, I would love to get the same boost to my body, mind, and spirit by watching television in my sweats and snacking on chips with queso and jalapeños, or even sitting in a boat fishing. I’ve tried them both. But, for better or worse, there’s nothing that really makes me feel better about myself than running . . . okay, jogging, okay, okay . . . let’s call it jogging with moments of speed walking.
Why I Choose More Difficult
You see, I don’t do difficult because I like it. I do difficult because there’s nothing else that boosts my value and increases my confidence like doing something that I’d rather not do despite it being good for me. Obviously, I’m not the most disciplined man in the world and, quite frankly, I like easy and comfortable just as much as the next person. So, although I’d rather be cycling, playing tennis, swimming, hiking, or playing golf, all of which I enjoy and participate in, none of them do for me what jogging does. None of them require me to sacrifice and work like jogging.
Let’s face it, we never really know what we are made of, or even capable of achieving, until we find ourselves being challenged—either through our own choice or the choices of others that impact us. And, as most of us have experienced, the greater the challenge, the greater the boost to our value, regardless of how successful we are with surviving it.
Make the Choice: Choose More Difficult
So, whether it’s walking, climbing steps, jogging, cycling, playing tennis, watching your diet, trying to lose weight, working toward earning or saving more money, making efforts to have or improve a relationship, or trying to break a bad habit . . . don’t shy away from something that is difficult, choose it, embrace it, and then, when you don’t think you can do it anymore, make the choice to do “two more steps.”
Remember always, live your value one choice at a time and smile as you choose the more difficult choices—the wholistic you will be thankful that you did.
