On Not Staying Down

If the first thought I have when I open my eyes in the morning is that I didn't do enough the previous day, or didn't put the amount of effort I should have in, or even that I'm a failure in general, I need to change something. That's been my first inclination numerous times, and I'm not talking about changing it only by pressuring myself more. That isn't going to help any. It won't help me, and anyone who struggles with feeling insufficient. 

One of the best things I've learned from playing a sport, is that the ability to pick yourself up from the floor can save the game. When the other team has a staggering lead and you expect you'll fail, you'll probably not perform well. When you decide that you're going to lose because that's what it looks like, you have a higher chance of loosing.
The best athletes are the ones who can return from making mistakes and succeed because they stay hopeful, they keep their heads up, they keep fighting.

It's what I want to do every day. 

But usually, I start out with seemingly good expectations. I begin to procrastinate a bit, and I lose focus. Evening approaches and whatever I've been tackling looks monstrous. I have three assignments due, nanowrimo needs to get done, I need to work on my devotions, I haven't run,  and all I want to do is lie on the floor. 

Please understand I think resting is necessary. You shouldn't run yourself ragged. The detrimental thing here is thinking you're bound to fail. I keep a mental list of what I feel I should do, and that list has caused me a great deal of anxiety. When I don't get everything done, or at least what other people might be doing, I get overwhelmed. And I'm not the only one.

Taking a break to cool off is very helpful, but the task at hand won't ever be completed until we come back to it. I might be too optimistic here, but, I firmly believe everyone is more capable than they think they are. The attitude thing, as difficult as it is, can impact the performance. 

Please do not wake up already in defeat. When we do that, we often fall asleep at night not feeling content but burdened. You can be capable of doing great things, you can find strength from Christ, but you don't have to lose your identity in him by looking for it in achievement. 

Sometimes, I just need to lay on the floor, but sooner or later, I got to get back up.