This morning, I experienced a dash of hope, a tiny shot of excitement that gave me reason to believe I could make meaning in my life. Sometimes, I’m not so sure. It’s just one of those existential crises I go through from time to time.
It was a seemingly silly thing that gave me hope, the discovery of an affordable pair of adjustable dumbbells. I’ve been wanting a pair ever since we moved to a new place where I no longer have access to a fitness room. I’m not big on the idea of paying a gym fee because I’m also not big on the idea of traipsing to a gym every day.
I don’t know why I didn’t look sooner. I guess it didn’t seem important, but today I realized it was, and that’s what gave me hope, that’s what got me excited.
I can’t explain to anyone but me why this matters; I just know that it does, but I frequently discount such things precisely because I can’t explain them.
My guess is you’ve been there, too. You have something you want to do, but you think no one else will understand, so you table it.
Why do we do this? Why do we think we have to take every inclination before a jury of our peers and wait for their verdict? Why do we need the approval of a board of directors comprised of people who don’t even know they’ve been appointed?
If it means something to you, even if you don’t know why, why not just go for it? I can’t think it’s healthy to do otherwise.
Meaning doesn’t need a majority. It only takes one vote to be elected.
Today, I cast my vote for a pair of dumbbells. I don’t need to wait for the polling data. I don’t have to wait for the election returns. The campaign has ended, the vote is in, and I get to decide the length of the term.
What matters to you? Can you explain it? Do you really need to? Why not cast your vote today and bring that thing to power?
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, Ken. I’m reading Peter Buffett’s book “Life Is What You Make It,” probably recommended to me by Barbara Winter. I just read a section where he talks about excuses and justifications in these terms: his heart had made a decision, and his mind was trying to catch up. Your post reminded me of that section, because it’s the boardroom in our minds that gets in the way of us doing what our inner selves already know is right for us.
Steve recently posted..Godin 07-09-10- On Lists and Commitment
Meaning doesn’t need a majority. It only takes one vote to be elected.
Right on.
This is so true. And so important to remember, I think.
For me, it’s been a dry erase board. A very specific type and size, because I wanted it in a particular place in my office.
A friend said I should just get any dry erase board. Who cares about the size and type?
I did.
And when I found it, it felt great. Because it fits perfectly in my office. Which means I’m so much more likely to use it.
Dumbbells. Dry erase boards.
I get it.
Fabeku Fatunmise recently posted..Step Away From The Suck
I always (almost always) vote that housework can wait, creativity can not. The way I look at it… either way, someone will have to clean when I’m dead and gone, but I’m the only one who can get my ideas out of my head and on paper. Make hay while there’s hay – who cares about the weather?!
Barb Black recently posted..Abiding