You Don't Want To Change

(2 minute read)

It’s true. You don’t want to change. Biologically, we are set up in a way that strongly favors maintaining homeostasis. We gravitate towards a nice, stable, temperature controlled environment with  GrubHub on the way and Real Housewives of Thomaston streaming on Netflix. This isn’t so much a desire as it is where we drift to. There’s nothing intentional about it!

 This path of least resistance gets worn into the fabric of our days until discipline, passion, and striving just become something we felt in our youth, because of our youth. Of course, there is something incredible about the energy and optimism of being 20 years old. 

This period of our lives can be seen as the boosters that fall away from a rocket once it reaches the upper atmosphere. These boosters expend all of their propellant that send the astronauts 25 nautical miles off of the earth within 2 minutes, and then fall away (NASA). It takes a lot of energy for the crew and rocket to break through the friction and gravity of the lower atmosphere, just like how it takes some serious determination for a young person to find their place in the world. So, what happens after this?

When the propellant is expended and the boosters have fallen away, it’s normal to admire your work and enjoy the fruits of it. The view of our (allegedly) round earth is beautiful from the upper atmosphere! Launching a rocketship into space is probably pretty exhausting! Why not kick it back and enjoy the view? 

To this I say let us enjoy it as deeply as we can. We all know how much better a cold beer or perfectly seared steak tastes after a long day at work, a hard workout, or helping a buddy move into their first house. If this reality holds, why would we ever settle for a half-rate version of the true God given beauty this world has to offer?

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That pizza you and your family will sit around the table and eat Friday night, 

The cruise you’ve been planning for a year, 

The hard earned retirement you’ve worked your whole life for, 

The first warm day after a cold winter.

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Unfortunately, our world is set up for comfort while humans are rewarded for struggle. It feels good to work hard and earn something. However, the natural tendency to maintain homeostasis and kick back on the recliner will win  unless we do something about it. 

Hire a coach. Go to a CrossFit gym and remember how good it feels to lay down in bed while leading a strenuous life. Again, HIRE A COACH! They can see your blind spots and guide you back to what it feels like to struggle and succeed!

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