Seth Winterhalter

Living in the South Sound for five years from 2005 to 2010, moving to Seattle and now residing once again back in the South Sound there is one thing I seem to continually notice, as it is every before me and all around me, that grates on my most sensitive nerve. It is first seen in the morning when day has broken and life is blooming into action. It is sensed when the the first steps into a work environment have been made and the daily routine leaps to action. It is felt as the alertness, given by our morning cup of coffee, fades into a glazed look of lifeless expression into a growing inbox demanding our attention. It is most in action as the transition is made from work to home and the wear and tear of the day now leaves the body and mind with little to give to those who mean the most. What is the culprit that purposely works against mankind to bring about these realities?

Laziness.

I see its initial signs every time I set my alarm clock a little later for the morning and then proceed to tap snooze like a fighter in a submission hold. I sense it when I walk into the office and feel the need to settle for the routine of a typical work week. I feel it when I open up my inbox and gaze at the growing number of emails that call for my urgent response to items that suck the life from my mind and soul. Most grievous to me is how it grows in me during my commute from work to home and I allow myself to wallow in the hardships of the day and now bring home to my family the scraps of my energy (if any is left to give) and the dull drum attitude given to me by the minutia of my day. 

It’s time to fight.

I am now purposely choosing to fight against laziness, slothfulness, the cheap trick to do less and complain more. Now my day starts before the sun has even thought about rising over the South Sound. A morning workout reminds me that my body has been given to me for a purpose and the groan of muscles and flow of blood help make this truth a reality. After the gym there’s adequate time for my morning reading list; bible, blues (news) and blogs. A full breakfast and plenty of time to play with my two daughters sets the trajectory of the day and now I’m stocked with great memories to encourage me through the actions and emotions of the day ahead. At work I no longer have open my email so the chirp of notifications can take me away from the purpose I was actually hired to fulfill. Now I’m focused to say yes to the items that give me life and allow me to bring 100% and no to the majority of things that suck my energy and need little or no response in the first place. Best of all, I transition from work to home, now looking forward to be with those I love the most, with energy and enthusiasm with the desire to save my best for these precious gifts in my life.

This is my goal. This is my plan. Now I execute. Stop telling yourself that it’s only a dream. Stop selling yourself short from executing at a level 10. You’ve been created and designed, uniquely wired with skills and passions, for a purpose. Find it. Say no to the things you are able to and yes to the things that will drive you forward on your trajectory. It won’t be easy. But nothing good ever is. It will be fulfilling and it might just save you from a life of disappointment, regret and hurt to those you really love.

Get to it.