Spring Cleaning

I ran for a long time this morning, and have decided that it’s about time to get rid of the things I don’t need. Spring cleaning? Yeah, something like that.

I’ve come to the unanimous and palpitating conclusion that there are too many things in my life that do nothing but take up space and spread clutter. Not only that, but they're threatening to make it so I won't be able to go the distance if I don’t lighten up in a lot of areas.

So, it’s time to make things simple – I will just have to remember that the simplest way and the easiest way do not always correspond, and of that, well, I’ve never been a big fan of the easy way anyway. That said, I’ve done some sorting of my beliefs. This is what I’m keeping:

Rule #1: Everything is what it is, and I will do the best with what I have.

There’s really no other way if you want to be successful at anything. People waste too much time sitting around and bemoaning the fact that things aren’t fair, aren’t practical, are too dangerous, or too taxing, when really, none of it matters. That’s all part of the clutter. There is the desired result, there are the tools I have, and the rest is the execution of getting from point A to point B intact.

Rule #2: Never, ever, ever, ever, ignore details.

A building is made of bricks, an army of individuals; no whole is worth anything without its parts. They make or break the final product.

Rule #3: When the mind is weak, make the body strong.

The mind will follow, and it will keep up because it will have no other choice. There is only so much baggage a person can carry over 20 miles on a hot day. Mile 20.2 will be lighter than mile 2. Always.

Rule #4: Never compromise regarding what you are passionate about.

If I negotiate, I was never passionate in the first place and not only will I likely lose, but I will deserve to lose. Therefore, since a person can only carry so much over the distance, I will make my selections judiciously. Then fight like hell for them.

Rule #5: There is always something I do not know about, and therefore have not planned for, regarding my situation.

Because of this, I need to expect the unexpected, and be flexible enough to adapt to it if I ever hope to overcome it. In. That. Order.

Rule #6: The only permanent things in life are intangible, and inaccessible outside of myself.

So if I ever can’t find what I’m looking for out of this life, I know where to look.

Rule #7: Have the courage to lead, and the patience to follow – know when each is required, and know that “why” almost never matters.

Things don’t always make sense. Most people hate that, I know I do. But it doesn’t change the finality of the situation at hand. That said, I won’t waste time considering my love or detest for whatever my role happens to be, I’ll just do what I have to do.

Rule #8: Do not complain.

It’s a waste of the time one could be using to change the situation.

Rule #9: Anything not born from accomplishment is temporary.

Pain, discomfort, emotion, everything passes with time; everything is diluted by one point or another; therefore it’s not solid ground upon which to build anything, and needs support if it is to be maintained. If it's good, support it, if it's not, let it do what it would naturally do -- wash away.

Rule #10: There is always a way.

It’s just a matter of how much one is willing to work in order to find it.


There. Now I can breathe in here.