ENJOYMENT

​"Enjoyment is an incredible energizer to the human spirit." — John C. Maxwell

On September 9, 2017 I did something for the first time ever I my life. I did a chin-up! A the time I was 34 years old and that day I was never able to do a chin-up. But now I can! It was an incredible moment. I’d lived my entire life living in a world where I couldn’t do this certain thing, and then all of a sudden I was able to do it. All at once my universe expanded!

Of course it took a lot of hard work to get to that moment: a year and a half lifting weights at the gym to build up the strength, and running upwards of 8 miles a day to lose the weight needed to be able to lift myself. I’m not always enthusiastic about the process, yet I continue to find a special kind of enjoyment in knowing that I every day I do something to better myself.  Despite the challenges I continue to face, it’s encouraging to know that I’m making progress towards something important to me.

Not longer after the chin-up experience I had a brief conversation with a cashier at a local convenience store. I frequent this store so I see this employee quite often, and I can always tell that she’s stressed about something, though she always has a big smile on her face. I mentioned to her today that I appreciate how, though she at times doesn’t feel enthusiastic, she puts on a smile anyway. And then with a big smile she told me this:  “It’s a beautiful life; you have to enjoy it.”

Her sentiment beautifully exemplifies the importance of the Magic Word Enjoyment for our journey. We may not always be enthusiastic about our daily activities, but if we have acceptance then we are well on our way.
 
REFLECTION
Think about your current situation.mWith everything that you are currently doing and experiencing, even the no-so-nice parts, can you honestly say that you accept them as necessary to get to where you want to go?  If so, high five!  But if not, why do you think that is?  Can you not accept these things because they go against your values?  Do they wear you out?  Are you simply frustrated?  If for too many days or weeks or months in a row (or for that matter years) you can’t even at least accept what’s happening then that’s a clear sign that you’ve gone the wrong way. What can you do today to get back on the right path?