When I was trying to get sober, I was told that I only needed to change one thing:
Everything.
Some things just are the way that they are, no matter how hard I try to convince myself otherwise. The fact of the matter is that real change involves making real changes.
At forty-one years old, if you get my friends from middle school in the same room with a Nintendo, the same things will happen. Between Chad, Will, Mitch, Trace, Trey, and myself, someone is gonna cheat, taunt, fight, antagonize, win, and quit. It’s just how it’s gonna be.
Carbonated beverages will always be Coke to me.
Cigarettes will always be Marlboro’s.
Tissues will always be Kleenex.
Supper will always be dinner.
Percocet will always be “Happies”.
Vodka will always be juice.
Video games will always be Nintendo.
As I think about the changes I want to make in my life, it can be disheartening to think about how convincing I can be when I tell myself that not much sacrifice needs to be made. When people make changes in their life, no matter how small, or how insignificant they might seem to me, they should be applauded. To really do something different in your life and to be willing to sacrifice comfort for the sake of bettering yourself is something that many people never experience.
If you are changing your eating habits, starting to exercise, sobering up, putting down the pills, keeping your room clean, quitting smoking, finding God, or being more patient with your kids, I commend you.
Change is hard, intense, and dramatic. Don’t underestimate the importance of what you are doing or the effort required to do it. You don’t think your way into better actions but act your way into better thinking.
Most people go their entire lives waiting on the world to change when really the change that needs to be made is right there inside of them.
Wherever you go, there you are.
f you are trying to make a change today, my hat is off to you.
Peace, Love, and all things Beef related,
Beefcake