How Fifteen Cents Can Change Your Life
How simple things change your life
Motivation is a strange thing, it hits us when we least expect it. When we’re unmotivated, life can be a big challenge. Sometimes, as we despair, the smallest thing can give us more energy and drive than we ever thought possible.
I found that motivation when I lost 15 cents
Over the past few years, as I’ve “aged” into the 50s. My body has changed, and not in a good way. We think these aches and pains are an “age” thing.
Wrong
In reality, our body is crying out for movement and for better health. Our muscle mass is decreasing, it’s easier to store fat and we keep living like we’re some 20-year-old. I’ve felt these changes in sore knees, bad feet, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and all those “old age” things.
We Try and Give Up
I’d try to take better care of myself, and that would last three days. A walk here and there, less sugar, and then it would be 6 beers at the pub on Friday. I thought my body could handle it. I have two words for you.
Hell No
The pounds wouldn’t drop, and I would feel worse than before. “It’s age, you’ll get used to it,” I would say to myself. “If I only had a younger body.” I would beat myself up, and things would go back to square one. Where’s my motivation for this? What do I need?
It Wasn’t My Friend’s Cancer
Recently, I got the news that two of my older friends are now battling cancer. They, too, haven’t done much to look after themselves. “Wow, that’s terrible,” I said. Meanwhile, I chugged another beer and ate my plate of bad pub food. That’s me in ten years.
It wasn’t enough to make me take better care of myself. NOW
The Curious Case of Fifteen Cents
So here’s where the fifteen cents comes in. How can anyone possibly change their life with fifteen cents?
It was ALL the motivation I needed. Not my friend’s serious health issues.
I was at the mall, and as I pulled my phone out of my pocket, some change flew out, and I watched as it hit the ground. I counted it.
Hey, that’s 15 cents.
I thought for a moment about picking it up. This is going to hurt. I gotta bend down that far?
I looked at it. Nope. Stay there. It’s only 15 cents. It’s not like I dropped 20 bucks.
I paid for my things and left the store and then everything hit me like a truck though a brick freaking wall.
What’s going on here? How pathetic am I that I can’t bend down and pick up 15 flipping cents?
I was absolutely done
Motivation Like that Truck Hit Me Hard
I went home and everything changed. I got up the next day and went for a walk. I came home and popped the water blisters on my feet. I began to clean up my diet, and I shoved beer out the door,
Now I can’t wait to walk and the weights have come out. Everything hurts, but I’m moving. For the 1st time in my 54 years, I care. I can’t quit. I want that 15 cents back.
My armor is on, my sword is in hand. I’ve drawn a line in the sand.
Hey Age? Come get me. While you’re at it, bring me back my fifteen cents!