This seems to be obvious but it’s not! If we all took a step back and reflected on the many times we took a different path rather than sticking to the one we were on, I’m betting that we changed directions because we gave up on something. We concluded that the effort was just “TOO HARD” Now, this is not a moral judgment or moment of great criticism, it’s just the truth.
From the time we were kids we learned from our parents, brothers and sisters,, coaches, and teachers that in order to win we have to make the necessary sacrifice. We have to put in the time, practice, and invest ourselves in order to attain the goal.
But, somewhere in the equation we learned to quit when the DISCOMFORT METER NEEDLE went into the “RED ZONE.” So, we take our eyes off the prize, we focus on the pain we are enduring, and we decide to stop—-because we deemed the process too hard. As a result, our goal or trophy or degree, or my focus on my affection (girl) slipped away.
What nobody educated us about was the scars of regret, loss, sadness, defeatism, and sometimes great depression that results when we quit because we decided that the challenge was too hard. Ultimately, we learn to quit and then to blame others for our lack of follow through. We ignore all the consequences of our dereliction of personal responsibility to ourselves and others and we redirect the cause onto others.
The admonition to never give up just because things got “TOO HARD” can’t be overemphasized. Bodybuilding brings out the qualities of laziness, unbelief in ourselves, arrogance, and the acute lack of courage to press on despite the hardness of the journey. We are totally exposed as character frauds if we preach one thing and do another.
In closing: We have to learn that just because something is hard does not mean that we automatically give up. We just can’t allow each other the luxury of doing less than our best. We have to look out for one another and be sure we are “FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT” even when it’s hard. Until next time!.…Doug
Six Pack and Senior 