Monday

Pivotal Moments

Anytime you embark upon a new challenge, one that takes some time to accomplish, whether it be writing a book, trying to lose weight, quit smoking, quit cursing, or just getting over a guilty pleasure. You will without fail reach what I like to call a pivotal moment. This is the moment(s) that makes or breaks your progress. This is the moment that you decide to either fall back into old patterns or press yourself and leap over that wall of opposition. This is the moment that you are laying in bed, getting some much needed rest, the alarm goes off at 5am for you to hit the gym and you have a decision to make. Do you blow it off until tomorrow, knowing full well that if you don't go THIS day, it's over, there won't be anymore working out. Well maybe a couple straggled days here and there, but if you don't commit now, it's not going to happen. You are going to fall back into that familiar cycle of abandoning your goal. So what do you do?

It's interesting how our bodies work. Even when we are tired, unfocused, or just feel like being lazy, if we TELL our body to get in gear, it will. This is because our body is just one part of us. We also have a spirit and a soul. Not to worry, I don't plan on taking you on a spiritual discourse today, but just stay with me for a moment. Our spirit represents that part of us that always seeks to do what is right. Eat right, stay in shape, stay away from that unhealthy relationship, work on that project that will propel you closer to your purpose, it's those types of things that our spirit makes impressions on us to do. On the flip side, our soul (mind and emotions) tells us to do what FEELS good. Eat that cake, drink that soda, go ahead and get your groove on (just one mo' ghen), blow off going to the gym in favor of one more hour of sleep. It's these two contrasting voices that are fighting within us during our pivotal moment(s). The voice that wins, gets to tell the body what to do.
And the funny thing is, the body will listen to the stronger of the two, without fail.

So, the next time you are facing a pivotal moment decide what you want the outcome to really be by siding with the right voice. You might struggle through a few of those moments, but if you focus on the end you have in mind, I'm sure you will find the strength to stay on course. Besides, three lefts don't always put you back to where you started, sometimes those turns throw you so far off course, you can't find your way back. Live strong. Make the best of those pivotal moments. I just did.


Personal Testimony -
Do you know how many times I've wanted to quit blogging? I stay the course, because it keeps me writing. Keeps me focused. I keep telling myself that I need to stop so I can find the time to do other writing, but the truth is, it's the other stuff like watching movies for hours on end that needs to go. The time is there for meeting my goals. I just need to embrace it and go for mine.

I'm also pushing through staying with exercising. I'm on week three of a twelve week progressive workout plan and I just don't feel like going. I was holding on to that bed this morning. Hearing the rain outside didn't make it easier to get up either, but guess what, I'm going anyway. Even if I end up at work a little late, because I've been late for worse reasons.

Y'all have a good day.

14 comments:

Lance said...

lol...i feel the same way rich. i didn't make it to the gym this morning either. but it's sunny outside and i don't give a shit! the bed is too comfy right now.

no procrastinate in '08!

okay, maybe tomorrow... but i need to get my cigar on today!... ;-P

Rich Fitzgerald said...

Just returned from the gym. I'm glad I went, and I'm glad I didn't blow off posting on the blog this morning.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

u need to write a motivational book. great essay...and i do my best work in the bed, books and pcs and papers everywhere, i make a lot of progress there

Ticia said...

Hey Rich!! You stay on the course!!

I also have been working out... I am so sore, I cannot bend without closing my eyes.....

Sharon shares said...

Thanx for the motivation my brotha...I definitely need it today as the approaching snow storm means that tomorrow will for all intents and purposes be a big blow off day for projects requiring me to leave home ;-)

Anyway, I'd hunt you down and cut you if you stopped blogging and let's be realistic about it, I wouldn't have far to look (LOL!).

Rich Fitzgerald said...

@ All Mi T -- I've thought about it. I have a clear voice for those types of books, but fiction is more challenging to produce. I'm one of those people who like to do things the hard way at times.

@ Ticia -- make sure you are resting between workouts if you are lifting.

@ Sharon -- I ain't scared of you. :-)

Anonymous said...

"This is the moment that you are laying in bed, getting some much needed rest, the alarm goes off at 5am for you to hit the gym and you have a decision to make"

Right on! Thankfully, I made the choice to get up today!

Unknown said...

Good move Bro and excellent post. As you noticed I haven't posted for 10 days, no kidding, I didn't realize it. I knew it had been a couple of days but they flew by, I didn't want to write but I need too. So with this motivation I'm going to post right now even if I have nothing to write about I'll create something just fro the discipline. Thanks for the encouragement Rich, I really needed it Bro.

CapCity said...

U GOOO, RICH! U got a NAME to live upto afterall;-). Thanx for the inspiration, too!

GIT HIM, Sharon! LOLOL!

Hey! Y'all wanna start an inspiration wake UP CALL chain!? If I know others are up it'll help ME! I know the time difference will make 5am YOUR time 6am MY time - but that would HELP me some... lemme know!

Mizrepresent said...

Great post Rich! It takes a constant reminder and a sometime kick in the butt to keep me focused, but most times i stay on task bc i can't afford not to be. One of the things i haven't been doing regularly is working out, which i vowed to start up again this week, got to keep that mind, body and spirit whole and healthy and those creative juices everflowing!

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

YOU ARE MY NEW HERO! Oh I so needed to hear this. I have been doing exactly what you were doing. You have inspired me!

Don't give up blogging, you belong to a tribe now and they/we need you.

Queen of My Castle said...

I really appreciated this post. Funny enough I was sitting here contemplating on whether or not I should hit the gym tonight and have been wrestling with the thought of writing my book. LOL. I loved this post.

Anonymous said...

So on time. Yesterday morning I got up, cut off the alarm, went into the bathroom...and did nothing. I wanted to go to the gym and start my week off right. My body had other plans, however. I negotiated with myself until I made it back into bed.

This morning I had to put my negotiating side to rest. Successfully, did I get up and get ready for the gym. Even got there before 4:30. Now that's commitment.

I enjoy posts like this that remind me that I am not the only one who needs a swift kick in the rear. Here's to getting back on track.

Blameless Nubian said...

A true testament to strength!