This weekend I was digging in one of my ‘costume’ boxes in
the garage for some items to use for my Halloween costume. While doing so, I noticed
my first…..well, I guess ONLY….stereo system that is currently being stored out
there. It is a turntable; radio; and 8-track player combo (Yes, I’m aging myself).
I purchased this stereo “with mostly my
own money” when I was in high-school for $79.00. I think my mother donated $20.00
towards the purchase, but she insisted that I would take care of it if I had
invested my own funds, earned by babysitting, in the purchase. In fact, she
used that principle for most of the major purchases in my young life. Oh, the
joys of being the “first-born” child……sigh…..because I was the recipient of all
of the “I’m going to be the kind of parent that teaches my child things like ‘responsibility’;
‘work-ethic’; and other life lessons. At the time, of course, I thought it was
unfair and ridiculous….especially when those “parenting practices’ weren’t
practiced with my younger siblings.
I harbored a lot of
negative feelings as a teenager when I had to work for many of the things I got
and my siblings seemed to just be ‘given’ things. It didn’t seem fair to me
then…..but…..today, if my mother were still alive, I would tell her “THANK YOU!” Here it is, more than 35 years later, and the
stereo system is still working and still in my possession. She was……gulp…..RIGHT….and I did take better
care of it…..and value it more…..because I worked for it. I guess a true sign of maturity is admitting
that your parents were right. I don’t
know what ‘goes on” in heaven, but I hope my parents are looking down and
smiling!
The principle I learned with the stereo….and my 3-speed bike…..and
my first car…..and many of the other ‘non-essential to life” purchases, ‘to die
for’ pieces of clothing; make-up, etc…is more valuable than anything she could
have ever bought for me. To learn that, “If you want something bad enough, you
must be willing to work for it” is one of the lessons that continues to
motivate me on my journey. While some
people seem to have it easier than others and things simply seem to just “fall
into place for them” with very little effort; the reality is that most of us
have to work hard to realize rewards. Hopefully, we find jobs and/careers which
are life-giving and meaningful so that the time we spend ‘earning a living’ is
as enjoyable as possible; but it is still WORK and, very likely, most of us
would rather be on vacation or retired if given a choice. This applies to ALL
area of life…..relationships; physical health; mental well-being…and our
physical surroundings.
I was/am blessed as a student and I earned good grades in college
but I worked/work (still take classes for personal enrichment) REALLY hard to
earn those grades. I’m one of those “read everything assigned; go the extra
mile; spend hours and hours doing homework” kind of students……but I reap the
rewards. Hard work pays off….but it doesn’t come easy. I have beautiful, but not perfectly manicured
or landscaped, gardens in my yard and I enjoy them immensely. They require a tremendous
amount of physical labor, though. I dig my own beds because I don’t have a
rototiller (or a gardener); I plant my own plants; I pull my own weeds…..but I get
so much joy from watching something grow; bloom; and produce….because I know
how much work is involved in the process. Yes, I could just buy a few “already
planted pots” and set them on the patio and they would be beautiful, but there
is great satisfaction in ‘being invested; working hard; and patiently awaiting
for ‘due season” when I will be awarded with glorious blooms. Hard work pays off and I value things more
when I need to work for them, and as a result of that hard work and investment
in perennials, my rewards will last. Nothing that lasts comes easy…(or cheap). Thanks mom!
This principle, absolutely, is key to my personal journey. Over
the years I’ve tried some of the ‘quick-fix” weight loss gimmicks. The miracle “diet
pills” of the 90’s that were supposed to just make one lose weight painlessly. While
they certainly ‘seemed to work for a while” if I were willing to endure those
wonderful side effects (anyone ever try Xenical or Phen-Phen….can you say “anal
seepage”…YUCK…WHY...WHY…WHY would any of us take that stuff when words like
that are on the label???) I’ll tell you
why: because it promised to be an “easy fix.” Today’s ‘fad diets’ fit the bill.
How long, REALLY, can you live on protein milk shakes or meal replacement
bars? I’m not judging your journey because
I hope it works and lasts for life; however, things that come easy, don’t often
last. Sometimes they do: there are exceptions to every rule….but most of the
time, they don’t.
While some have an easier time than others when it comes to
weight loss….NONE of it is easy. Even those who have elected to go the
weight-loss surgery way will attest to this. All of it requires work and effort….if
it is to last. So many people…( I am one of them)…think that life would be
so great if there were a product or plan
that would allow one to just lose 50 pounds in a couple of months with very
little effort….but honestly, how many do that…and are able to keep it off? Some do; but most don’t. Slow and steady…..making daily choices…..hard
work and commitment for life...day-in-and-day-out….combined with the incredible
grace of GOD have been important principles for my journey. “What comes easy
won’t last….what lasts won’t come easy.”
Thanks, Mom!
While we can all identify people that appear to have it all:
great relationships; perfect children; gorgeous homes; wonderful jobs….money,
health, beauty, success…..whatever we value…..the reality is that the majority
of those people work really hard. My
grandparents had a wonderful marriage, spending 58 years together before my
grandmother died….but they invested a life-time in each other; respected each
other; prayed together; spent time together and loved each other through the
tough times. While they made it “look easy” to a grandkid; I’m sure it took a
daily commitment to each other and it wasn’t always easy. What lasts doesn’t
come easy……. My sister and her husband have a beautiful home, nice vehicles,
and take nice vacations, etc….but they both work VERY hard; go to work when
they don’t want to; spend weekends doing housework and maintenance; and
struggled for years to get through college. “Perfect” children are not just born; they’re
nurtured; taught; prayed for and with.
Sobriety doesn’t just happen; weight just doesn’t fall off; people don’t
just ‘wake up happy, grateful, or peaceful…..It’s a daily choice… and a
combination of good days and bad. But lasting joy……life-long change…..peace
beyond understanding……and a gratitude that transforms one’s life…..doesn’t come
easy. What comes easy doesn’t last…..and what lasts won’t come easy. Thanks, Mom!
Today, my friends….ask yourself what you want more…..EASY….or
LASTING? If you’re blessed to have it
both ways, then rejoice and thank your God…..but realize that for most of us,
it’s one or the other! I choose lasting.
What about you? Hard work pays off……
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