My family loves watching The Biggest Loser. Whether it's the competition, the amazing weight loss, the horrific workouts, or the interpersonal relationships- we love the show. We always have our favorite contestants that we cheer for, and those that we don't. It's opened the doors to conversations about healthy foods, exercise, and choosing to live a healthy life. Being someone who has to work very hard to maintain or lose weight, I can appreciate what these individuals are doing- all on national televsion.
Last night, however, I was struck by something else. One of our least favorite individuals this season was up for her weigh-in. It has become obvious over the past several weeks that her efforts are lacking, and even those on the show with her were questioning her desire and willingness to be 'on the ranch'. As I watched her step up to scale, listening to the thoughts of others and watching clips of her workouts from the week, I found myself getting irritated with her. With suspense and drama they posted her weight that she had lost ZERO for the week while her team-mate lost 9 pounds. Needless to say, the entire team wasn't surprised, nor were any of them supportive. In fact, they called her on the carpet and did not accept any of her excuses.
That's when it hit me...the excuses. Whether it's losing weight, changing a bad habit, trying to become better at something...those excuses are always right there ready to grab and use and fend off any respobsibility that I may have. And that's what I've been doing in my walk with the Lord. I've used them all: I'm not good-pretty-smart-talented enough; it's too hard; I don't know how; why should I; it won't make a difference...on and on and on. As I looked at the contestant's face, standing there in total humiliation for the entire world to see- I cold hear my own excuses running through my head. I could feel her embarrassment, shame, guilt-and even sense that tendency to point blame. As she tried to rally support and claim that she had worked hard and given it her all- I began looking at my own life and the times I gave just enough to get by when I could have given so much more.
I could hear God calling ME to 'NO MORE EXCUSES'. I have plenty of them- and some are really good ones. But I've allowed those excuses to shift blame, to not take responsibility for MY actions, to give me permission to remain stuck, to let me remain a victim. I find,this morning, that I'm very frustrated with myself, with the circumstances I've allowed to control to life, with my lack of faith and trust in God. I'm standing on the edge of some big changes in my life- freedoms I have never imagined; yet, my efforts aren't 110%. I'm standing on that scale waiting for that big zero to pop up, knowing I haven't given it my all...and realizing there's no one else to blame, but me...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Biggest Loser...
My family loves watching The Biggest Loser. Whether it's the competition, the amazing weight loss, the horrific workouts, or the interpersonal relationships- we love the show. We always have our favorite contestants that we cheer for, and those that we don't. It's opened the doors to conversations about healthy foods, exercise, and choosing to live a healthy life. Being someone who has to work very hard to maintain or lose weight, I can appreciate what these individuals are doing- all on national televsion.
Last night, however, I was struck by something else. One of our least favorite individuals this season was up for her weigh-in. It has become obvious over the past several weeks that her efforts are lacking, and even those on the show with her were questioning her desire and willingness to be 'on the ranch'. As I watched her step up to scale, listening to the thoughts of others and watching clips of her workouts from the week, I found myself getting irritated with her. With suspense and drama they posted her weight that she had lost ZERO for the week while her team-mate lost 9 pounds. Needless to say, the entire team wasn't surprised, nor were any of them supportive. In fact, they called her on the carpet and did not accept any of her excuses.
That's when it hit me...the excuses. Whether it's losing weight, changing a bad habit, trying to become better at something...those excuses are always right there ready to grab and use and fend off any respobsibility that I may have. And that's what I've been doing in my walk with the Lord. I've used them all: I'm not good-pretty-smart-talented enough; it's too hard; I don't know how; why should I; it won't make a difference...on and on and on. As I looked at the contestant's face, standing there in total humiliation for the entire world to see- I cold hear my own excuses running through my head. I could feel her embarrassment, shame, guilt-and even sense that tendency to point blame. As she tried to rally support and claim that she had worked hard and given it her all- I began looking at my own life and the times I gave just enough to get by when I could have given so much more.
I could hear God calling ME to 'NO MORE EXCUSES'. I have plenty of them- and some are really good ones. But I've allowed those excuses to shift blame, to not take responsibility for MY actions, to give me permission to remain stuck, to let me remain a victim. I find,this morning, that I'm very frustrated with myself, with the circumstances I've allowed to control to life, with my lack of faith and trust in God. I'm standing on the edge of some big changes in my life- freedoms I have never imagined; yet, my efforts aren't 110%. I'm standing on that scale waiting for that big zero to pop up, knowing I haven't given it my all...and realizing there's no one else to blame, but me...
Last night, however, I was struck by something else. One of our least favorite individuals this season was up for her weigh-in. It has become obvious over the past several weeks that her efforts are lacking, and even those on the show with her were questioning her desire and willingness to be 'on the ranch'. As I watched her step up to scale, listening to the thoughts of others and watching clips of her workouts from the week, I found myself getting irritated with her. With suspense and drama they posted her weight that she had lost ZERO for the week while her team-mate lost 9 pounds. Needless to say, the entire team wasn't surprised, nor were any of them supportive. In fact, they called her on the carpet and did not accept any of her excuses.
That's when it hit me...the excuses. Whether it's losing weight, changing a bad habit, trying to become better at something...those excuses are always right there ready to grab and use and fend off any respobsibility that I may have. And that's what I've been doing in my walk with the Lord. I've used them all: I'm not good-pretty-smart-talented enough; it's too hard; I don't know how; why should I; it won't make a difference...on and on and on. As I looked at the contestant's face, standing there in total humiliation for the entire world to see- I cold hear my own excuses running through my head. I could feel her embarrassment, shame, guilt-and even sense that tendency to point blame. As she tried to rally support and claim that she had worked hard and given it her all- I began looking at my own life and the times I gave just enough to get by when I could have given so much more.
I could hear God calling ME to 'NO MORE EXCUSES'. I have plenty of them- and some are really good ones. But I've allowed those excuses to shift blame, to not take responsibility for MY actions, to give me permission to remain stuck, to let me remain a victim. I find,this morning, that I'm very frustrated with myself, with the circumstances I've allowed to control to life, with my lack of faith and trust in God. I'm standing on the edge of some big changes in my life- freedoms I have never imagined; yet, my efforts aren't 110%. I'm standing on that scale waiting for that big zero to pop up, knowing I haven't given it my all...and realizing there's no one else to blame, but me...
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1 comment:
You have such deep insight to things. I hope you know that I will be there every step of the way during this journey you are taking of change and challenge.
I love you.
C-
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