Hey Men,
A couple weeks ago I had a Dr.'s Appt. As they usually do, they asked me to jump on the scale. Holy Crap! I weighed 244 lbs. It's a good thing I didn't literally "jump on the scale." I would have broken the darn thing. For you to appreciate my shock you need to know that a year ago I weighed 190 pounds. Yikes. That's 55 pounds. My goodness, I have 3 kids who weigh less that that.
So I decided to name him (that is my extra baggage) Tommy. In short: Tommy Must Go!
The day after my Dr. visit I took the day at a monastery for some prayer and refelction. While there I wondered how this happened. The answer: sloth, business, lack of discipline, indulgence, self centered living. As I pondered the reality of Tommy I realized that these things (sloth, etc.) were apparent in other places in my life. I could see them in my vocation, my marriage, my parenting, my spending. Tommy's chubby little hand had a grip on many areas in my life.
I also had the thought, "I'm probably not alone." I imagine that many men, many of you, struggle with discipline in one form or another. The truth is that God came that we might have an abundant life. We will never reach that abundant life in full living a no or low discipline life. The stakes are to high for me, for men, for you, to live the Tommy life style. Tommy must go.
So consider yourselves invited to join me in the pursuit of discipline and thus freedom that we might bear more fruit in our jobs, homes and everywhere we go.
In the days to come I will throw down a thought or two along the lines of losing my Tommy. I invite you to read, join the discussion, share with other men, and walk with me and other men along the path called life.
Peace and Joy
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Good stuff Rob
ReplyDeleteLink. You are not alone. I also have my Tommy's that I need to control. I was talking with Tim Taylor about them at our accountability meeting this morning... we've both felt the need to become more disciplined in the things that bring us freedom and allow us to live with less stress. (T2- I hope I didn't blow your cover)
ReplyDeleteOne of our hopes is that as we decide to discipline ourselves, our discipline will feed our souls and not deplete our resources beyond their current state.
I often see people who decide to apply a huge amount of discipline that is both unsustainable and stressful at the same time (reference P90X). It seems that small disciplines can add up over time and not create those energy sapping scenarios.
I'm totally on board with your discipline program and am excited to join you in the process. I probably don't have 55 lbs to lose, but I could stand 10-15.
good stuff Dave. It's good to know that you and T2 are on the journey too. When you've thought through some changes let me know what you got.
ReplyDelete:)
Witteveen - where's the beard in your profile picture? Come on! How can you be the great bearded one without a beard?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what to call my "Tommy", have to figure that out. As I read some of my journaling this AM from up to a year ago I as struck by how little progress I had made. Some on a couple of fronts but generally disappointing.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the Celtics win last night I was thinking about hoops. And that I've not been bringing anything close to my "starter" performance to the game. Time to man up a bit.
My "Tommy" is about 15 lbs. Absolutely has to go. Absolutely need more discipline. Praying that I'll faithfully transfer the energy I've put into the RCA Wellness Step program into something that burns Tommy away more like biking. The Step program had a $200.00 incentive that motivated me. Praying that my own health will motivate.
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