Day Momo (Des Moments) August 1st-15th
I stopped writing in October. As I stopped writing, it became harder to write. I would look at my computer with a blank stare, devoid of creativity.
My writing lantern extinguished. Or as author James Altucher puts its, my writing muscle atrophied.
This was a not so pleasant, but important reminder, that life is about habits. And habits, like muscles, either build, or deteriorate. Whether they are good habits, or bad, they will become part of who we are. The choice is ours.
In Maria Popova’s fantastic blog Brainpickings.org, she’s posts and quotes Annie Dillard: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
Annie Dillard’s line is worth a couple more reads.
The word “days” in that quote, can easily be replaced with “habits.” How we create our habits, is how we spend our lives.
Warren Buffet brilliantly emphasizes the subtle, yet powerful force of habits, through his quote, “The chains of habit are too light to be felt, until they are too heavy to be broken.”
It’s important to be aware of our how we spend our days; what makes us the most fulfilled. Are we giving ourselves enough time to do the things we love? Are we creating habits to gain the skills to accomplish what we desire? Creating habits to keep us healthy? Building habits that help us remain calm, and peaceful, versus being reactive, and over-emotional?
Yes, starting a new habit will be painful. Our bodies will reject fruits and vegetables, if all we’ve been eating is junk food. Reading will be difficult at first, if you’re not a reader. Writing will be torture, if it’s not done daily, as I learned in October.
Regarding that pain we feel, I quote author Tim Ferriss, during an interview on James Altucher’s podcast. Tim states, “I enjoy expanding my sphere of comfortable action. And you only do that by subjecting yourself to discomfort, and pain, and challenging situations.”
A new habit will be painful at first. It will be uncomfortable. Embrace that pain. Sooner rather than later the discomfort will turn into comfort.
That’s growth.
Joseph Metcalfe
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