What exactly is an excuse? I decided to look up the definition today, and here's one of the many that were listed on websters.com:Â Â
noun: an explanation offered as a reason to excuse
So, basically, it is an explanation we tell ourselves or others, as to why we couldn't (or wouldn't) do something. Hmmm. I never thought of all the times I've made excuses, as that! I've made excuses for bad behavior, shirking responsibility, not fulfilling promises. All the while, feeling justified. But, I guess if we have to explain away why we didn't do what we said we'd do...there really IS no excuse good enough.
When we wake up everyday...we have new opportunities available to us. We can look at challenges as obstacles that get in our way, or we can view them as gifts from God. How can a challenge be a gift? I will tell you how. I watched this morning, a program hosted by Wayne Dyer. For those unfamiliar, he is a motivational book author and speaker, and has overcome tremendous obstacles in his personal life. I have read a few of his books, and it's hard to come away feeling uninspired. He had a guest on his show today. I am not sure of the condition that this man had, but he didn't have fingers. Yet, he stood on stage, telling the audience how he had no God given right to complain. How he viewed his condition as a blessing from God. That to complain, he said, would be 'an insult to God.' WOW! What a testimony of faith this man had. I marveled listening to him. He then went to a drumset and played for the audience. He said that many people throughout his life have said to him...''if anyone has a right to complain, it's you.'' He said, why should I complain? Listening to him, made me a little uncomfortable, because I do have all ten fingers, and yet I have stopped playing piano. Excuses. I don't have time. I could never be like I was when I was in my prime. I have ten fingers and yet I take them for granted. This man showed me a different side to life, today, however. I don't want to take any moments for granted. Not even my ten fingers!
So, today. Before you make an excuse as to why you ate something unhealthy, or why you can't make it to the gym, or why you can't fulfill all the promises you made to yourself to get on track with a healthy plan...think of this man. Who has NO fingers. Who is proving that it has nothing to do with the hand we are dealt. It rather has to do with how we play that hand. And that, all starts in our minds.
Excuses are nothing more than a coat rack to hang all of our shabby explanations on, as to why we can't or won't accomplish all we set out to do. As I get older, I'm reminded that I've wasted far too much time on this earth, procrastinating. Making excuses. Not carrying out what I set out to do. It makes me sad, if I let it, but I'm done with making excuses. I want to live each day, as if it were my last. I want to embrace those around me with love, and willingness to help them. Our lives can be a gift to another. So, don't let anything hinder you from moving forward today. Yes, we all have challenges. Setbacks. We all have a bunch of baggage from childhood, that if we let it, can bog us down--today. But, put that baggage down. Leave your excuses behind. See what can happen when you do that, and you might surprise yourself.
Excuses Be Gone! That was the name of the show I watched today. Let's challenge ourselves today, to banish our need to excuse ourselves when the going gets tough.
May you have a blessed weekend.
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