February 10, 2010

Leave Tomorrow Out of It

I'm going to start a diet...tomorrow.
I'm going to workout harder...tomorrow.
I'm going to get back on track...tomorrow.
I'm going to clean my house...tomorrow.
I'm going to call so and so...tomorrow.
I'm going to catch up on my Bible reading...tomorrow.
I'm going return the library books...tomorrow.

This list could most certainly go on and on. I'll stop to say that these are all lines I have fed to myself or others in the past. Some of them even today.

Why is it that tomorrow always seems like such a better plan than today? Probably because tomorrow has it's own tomorrow which I usually choose to wait for as well. Tomorrow is far away. I don't have to face it until well, tomorrow.

This is another one of those pesky behavior patterns I have been talking about. I have identified it in myself and now it is time to do something about it. If I examine the list from above, I can truly see the detriment my procrastination will continue to cause in my life.

I'm starting a diet tomorrow.
I could have lost a pound today.
I'm going to workout harder tomorrow.
A wasted opportunity to reach a new goal today.
I'm going to get back on track tomorrow.
Giving up on a whole day for a small mistake will make me feel horrible about myself.
I'm going to clean my house tomorrow.
The house will get a LOT more dirty today.
I'm going to call so and so tomorrow.
So and so may really need to hear a word of encouragement from me today.
I'm going to catch up on my Bible reading tomorrow.
I will miss what God has to say to me TODAY.
I'm going to return the library books tomorrow.
Today I don't owe a fine, tomorrow I do.

There is a Julia Roberts movie out there called My Best Friend's Wedding. One of the scenes has two would-be lovers riding on a boat. They are dancing, gazing into each other's eyes. They are talking about LOVE. Suddenly the boat approaches a bridge that it must pass under. As they glide into the shadow of the bridge the man looks at the woman and tells her "If you love someone, you say it right then, out loud. Or the moment just...passes you by." Neither of them say it and then they glide out of the shadow and that is when you know this movie isn't that great after all because they aren't getting together. Boo. I digress...

So here's what I'm thinking. If you want to live life like you really "mean it" then you just do stuff. Right then--when it needs to be done. I am tired of life's moments passing me by because I decided to wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow is highly overrated, it seems. For now, I'm just going to leave tomorrow out of it.
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8 comments:

Kerri & Katie said...

LOVE THIS.

Kristina said...

Great post!!!

Stacey said...

AWESOME!

Anonymous said...

So true. I think it boils down to the fact that change is hard and most people like easy. Weight loss is tough....so maybe "tomorrow" it won't be as hard. Yep...next day...it's still hard.

Good post :)

Unknown said...

Love this post!!

Can do mom said...

Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement. There is much truth in what you've said. It's so easy to procrastinate on the things we don't want to do. That's where blog friends can help - sometimes it's easier to be honest with someone you've never met (and probably never will meet) than people who know you well. Good for you for clarifying your goals and recommiting! Our goals will never be realized unless we stop waiting for tomorrow. Blessings to you!

Mr.s Gokey said...

Thank you for that. I needed to hear the truth=)

Nicole said...

I always say Monday! No matter gow far away it is lol thats even worse than tomorrow! I need to get it together. =D