Fit for Life: The Universe Doesn’t Care, Even on Special Occasions

Fit for Life: The Universe Doesn’t Care, Even on Special Occasions

This past week I celebrated 53 trips around the sun, and it seems that the past couple of years I haven’t been in the greatest condition on my birthday. I ALWAYS start a month prior, prepping to be “in the best shape of my life” when my day comes, however, obstacles always derail that plan.

Last year I was bouncing back from a bout with Lyme disease that put me in the hospital for a few days in August. It took over a month of therapy to get my balance back and be able to walk straight again, so my condition wasn’t close to being peak, as I had planned.

This year, I was on track and am in great physical shape, however last Sunday I dropped a 15# dumbbell on my foot while cleaning the gym and broke a couple of toes. So again, I am not functioning at full throttle as anticipated.

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The bottom line is that the universe doesn’t care what day or what time of the year it is, to serve us a shit sandwich. It will throw obstacles, setbacks, and adversity at us whenever it feels like it. Even on special occasions, birthdays, and holidays.

With that being said, it’s up to us to be ready when something happens that wasn’t expected.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying to walk around life LOOKING for things to go wrong, I am just saying that we need to be ready when it does.

Of course, we can’t be prepared for things like Covid, and accidental mishaps, but psychologically we must be able to pivot and change directions without missing a beat, because things will happen that will knock us off track every day.

 

We generally have 2 choices when issues arise.

    1.    We can make excuses, cry victim, play the blame game, or,

    2.    We can buckle up the chin strap, roll up the sleeves, and deal with the situation.

 

We need to be solution-focused, and when you think from that perspective, and see things through the solution lens, it makes it easier to get over obstacles.

I was scheduled to coach the am workout the day after I smashed my foot in the gym. I could have let another coach do it, however, I decided to tape up the broken bones, wrap my foot, and deliver an amazing workout. I had the perfect excuse to stay home, however, that wasn’t an option for me because I was committed.

When you commit yourself to something, it’s up to you to make it happen despite the circumstances. “I am responsible for everything in my life, and that gives me the power and control to change my circumstances” is a line from the creed we learned in the Project, and I recite that and live by it every day.

I interpret that line from the creed is saying that regardless of our past, or current state, we have control of how we navigate our lives from the present into the future. We have control and can change our circumstances regardless of the situation we are in.

 

Don’t look back, only forward.

 

I like to use the analogy: Look out the windshield as opposed to the rearview mirror because the windshield is bigger and you can’t change what you just passed by, or what was in your past. You can only control the direction you are moving in and the speed you are driving to get there.

 

This past week, I was reflecting with an old high school buddy on the memories of us being rough and tumble kids from the streets of Central Falls.

We talked about high school football, and about all the fights we were in and marveled at the fact that we made it out, and are both somewhat successful and unscathed, despite the environment we were brought up in.

Those memories will be there forever, however, it’s more important and productive to focus on what's in front of you, and what you can become. 

Decide what you are willing to do to get there, what’s important, and what’s your purpose in life.

This goes for your health, fitness, livelihood, career, and whatever hobbies or past times you want to do and be good at. It doesn’t matter what your past was, or what the circumstances are now, it’s up to us to be solution-based, and focus on accomplishing our mission despite obstacles and adversity.

 

Remember, the universe doesn’t care who you are, how much money you have, what time of the year it is, or what special occasion you are celebrating. It will always be trying to throw curveballs and create resistance for us, making it difficult to accomplish what we set out to do.

It’s the same as going to the gym. Every time we go, we need to put ourselves to the test under resistance to get stronger and we need to do it consistently!!

So, use adversity and obstacles to get stronger, channel your strength, stay focused, and always push yourself to get “one more rep” before you walk away!!

Committed to your success,

A year older Coach Matt