I was at our local YMCA the other day, the gym where I attempt to work out, and was complaining with another member about the impending closure for refurbishing.  “Really?”  I lamented.  “Closed the week before Christmas, with all the parties and holiday eating?”  I was outraged, a sense of betrayal building.  “Yeah,” my partner in whining said,  “With all our family around, I guess they just expect us to sit home and stress eat all the holiday baking.”  We both suddenly burst out laughing, realizing the absurdity of our logic.  As if with this one bit of news every possible way to exercise and reduce our stress had been taken away from us.

This episode got me thinking about excuses.  How often do we find an excuse conveniently available for the taking?  When something goes wrong it’s so easy to dive into righteous indignation and victimhood.  How often do I take the easy way out, using a setback as a way to avoid what was difficult to do in the first place?

Excuses are choices, just like any other course of action.  But they can be subtle and so very appealing, as they don’t appear as a choice.  As the very wise old saying suggests, we can’t control what other people do, but we can control our reactions to it.  Yes, the Y being closed was a pain in the neck.  It made it so I have to make more of an effort to find a way to work out.  On the bright side, in doing so, I am giving it a lot more thought and attention.  I am considering my options and making a plan.  The truth is, if the Y was going to be open, there is no guarantee that in a dark, rainy, busy week, that I would make there.  Now, because of the closure, I made a definite commitment to working out.

So now I am on the lookout for excuses.  My hope is to be more aware of the times I give up without fight or find a rationalization for not doing what I know might take more effort or be temporarily uncomfortable, but will help me reach my goal.  It is in these small excuses, these real choices, that my progress will be measured.  So, if you’re free next week, join me and my Y mate for a jaunt around Spring Lake.  Just make sure you bring your flashlight.