Here are the two options:

  1. Have a body like Rich Froning but be unable to do a pull-up, squat 200lbs, or run a mile.
  2. Have a body like Warren Sapp and have all of Sapp’s capabilities in his prime.

Which one do you choose?

If I’m being honest, which I rarely am, I would go with Froning. Who wouldn’t want to look like that guy? I would also tell you that I place fitness as a priority over physical appearance. Obviously, one of those two things is a lie.

This being said, at one point, I would have told you, “If I could just get out of bed in the morning without being so depressed and sad then I would be happy.” Well, I got passed that and immediately went on to say, “If I could just drop 20lbs and run a mile, then I would be happy”. I did that, and I was still broken. As I continued to progress, so did my list of demands before I would allow myself to be happy with who I am.

“If I could just do a pull-up…”

“If I could only deadlift 400lbs…”

“If I could only make this much money…”

“If I could…”

“…then I would be happy.”

Have you ever seen Warren Sapp? He is not exactly what you would call a fitness model.

Have you ever seen Warren Sapp blow off the ball, bull rush over a 6’6″ 300lb lineman and then hunt down a 6’3 190lb Quarterback from behind? The guy is a fucking freak of nature. A legitimate beast. I bet he never spent time wishing that he looked like a fitness model (or maybe he did, I dunno.)

The point that I am trying to make is that I think that goals are awesome. It is good to have goals and it is healthy to try and achieve them. The problem is when the things that I consider goals are nothing more than barriers to happiness.

Whatever my goals are, I need to prioritize happiness and contentment on the front-end and then enjoy what comes with the journey. The only thing that is going to bring me happiness is happiness. Being taller, fatter, skinnier, stronger, richer brings about change but that change does not necessarily include happiness.

If I can’t be happy then I should try to be grateful. If I find gratitude, I will be happy to tell you about all of the things that I am grateful for. It seems to work that way.

Make it a good day, today.

If you are out of bed and have even the slightest bit of motivation, from where I come from, you are crushing it.

Peace, love and all things Beef related,

Beefcake