Some days you just don’t have it. If I’m being honest, recently I’ve had more of those days than I care to admit.
Today, you may be tired, lacking discipline, in a foul mood, making poor choices, or just being lazy. Let me be the first to tell you, these days happen. Give yourself some grace. Life is not easy and sometimes we take it on the chin and fall out of our rhythm.
Do not mistake grace for approval.
Grace is granting unwarranted, undeserved forgiveness with no stipulations. Approval is the determination that something is good or acceptable. Two very different things.
This week I have been traveling for work, in bad weather, with my family, with a toddler that has not wanted to sleep. Therefore, writing an article that I am truly proud of has proven challenging. On top of that, I have found myself highly distractable and scatterbrained.
At the moment of writing this, my son is refusing a nap, singing 'You Are My Sunshine' to himself in the dark, and testing the structural integrity of his crib with some very creative jiujitsu-style moves.
Some days, am I right?
We can all relate. One bad day can turn into a week. One week can turn into a month. A month can just become your new normal, a routine, a habit.
I think back to when I started my blog, I was enthusiastic and energized every time I got to write something new. It was fresh and exciting and mustering up the have-to was pretty easy when it was time to write a new post.
That was the easy part. Then I fell off the blogging bandwagon for more than a year. Actually, it was 17 months. That’s tough to swallow.
But you know what separates successful blogs, families, businesses, or teams from everyone else? Showing up and doing the work when no one is watching. When there is no external accountability and no one to tell you what to do, your actions will determine your future.
I stopped writing for almost a year and a half, that doesn’t make me or my blog a failure. It means I’ve had the opportunity to humble myself, learn from my mistakes, and start again.
Maybe you have started something and failed.
Maybe you have had a goal and have not achieved it yet.
Maybe you had a dream and gave up on it.
You’re not a failure. You’ve just had a setback. What are you going to do now? When no one is watching? Are your actions in the dark supporting what you do in the light? When no one is around, are you doing the things necessary to reach what you truly want?
Maybe you want to lose a few pounds but when no one is watching you sneak those chips or that cake.
Maybe you want to grow in your career but when the boss isn’t around, you’re scrolling social media.
Maybe you want to make the team but you don’t do anything extra outside of your team’s practices.
My dad always said your character is defined by
what you do when no one is watching.
You know what question terrifies me? If I keep doing what I’m doing today, where will I be in ten years? What if my bad couple of days turns into a couple of weeks? What if these bad days become bad habits?
Do you realize how easy it is to fall into bad habits? To revert back to old bad habits? Those pathways in your brain don’t go away, they are still there, waiting for you to trip and fall right back into your laziness, negativity, complacency, or cynicism.
Let today be a warning to you. Don’t fall for the trap of what is comfortable or convenient. The easy way is rarely the right way.
I had a challenging week. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.
What am I most proud of this week? This post.
It is not my best work but it's the best I had this week. It is not exciting or great writing, but I showed up. I was vulnerable. I wrote. I did the work.
Sometimes your best is just showing up. Sometimes just showing up is what separates winners from losers. Doing what you said you were going to do – even when no one is watching.
No one makes me write these posts. I chose to. I normally enjoy it. It is not a chore it is a choice. I want to encourage people. Hearing stories of how something I said made a positive impact on a life is better than any form of payment I could ask for. I pray God uses my small platform here for something that will glorify Him and improve the lives of those that read these imperfect attempts at blog posts.
All I want you to hear today is that some days will be tough. Some days you will fail. Give yourself grace, not approval. Dust yourself off, get back up, and keep showing up, especially when it’s hard. The best things in life are typically the hardest.
That is why I started my little website. I don’t have millions of followers or fans. That’s not the point. The point is to encourage my community, my family, and my friends because life is hard and we are not designed to go it alone.
If you find yourself a little out of sorts, or know someone that could use some encouragement, here are some posts that might help:
If you’re not sure where to start, read 3 Simple Steps to Success.
If you’re in a storm in life, read Buffalo.
If you’re afraid of failing, read Chase Failure.
If you’re staring at a challenge, read Hard Things.
If you’re feeling pressure, read Pressure.
If you’re getting distracted, read 200 Feet.
If you’re feeling down, read Inputs.
If you’re discouraged, read Better Every Day.
Obviously, I am not the only source for encouragement. In the next few weeks, I am going to put out a list of my favorite books, podcasts, pastors, and speakers so you can find the encouragement you need. I am also going to start a new book club, so be on the lookout for that announcement too.
I am humbled that you actually take the time to read my words. I don’t take your time for granted and I thank you for being a part of my little community. I pray that you leave each week feeling slightly more filled up, encouraged, and ready to take on what lies ahead.
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