If You Don’t Now, You Won’t Then

I’ve heard some wise words in my thirtyish years on this planet.

Parents, teachers, siblings, bosses, co-workers and even children have shared truths with me throughout my life that have shaped my perspective and become part of my modus operandi.

I’m a firm believer that you can learn something from everyone.  Even if only how not to be.

Yeah, I’ve seen some pretty good examples of people I want to be nothing like.

A bit of wisdom that’s been playing in my head lately is, “If you don’t now, you won’t then.”

In other words, if something is not important enough for you to be doing it now,  you won’t do it when your ideal conditions are met either.

I’ll give more money at church or to charity when I’m making more money.

No you won’t.

I’ll eat healthier when I have more time.

No you won’t.

I’ll treat my husband better when he’s home more.

No you won’t.

I’ll work out when I’m not so busy.

No you won’t.

In a world full of victims (myself among them!) there are hundreds of excuses for why we aren’t living the way we want to be or ought to be.

It’s easier to blame our circumstances for our lack of discipline than it is to own up and face the music.

We do the things that we value and that are important to us.

Ouch.

Come hell or high water we do what we want to do.

I know this is true of me.  I may think I want to be thinner and healthier but when it all boils down, I must really want to overindulge in food as a means of comfort.

Is anyone else sweating?

Phew.  It’s getting hot in here…

Ok, but seriously.  We all need to start living now for the life we want to have in 5 years.

You don’t just wake up one day in the life you’ve dreamed about.  It’s doesn’t come easy, you have to work for it.

We have to create habits now that will produce the life we want later.

If you want to be generous, start giving money now.  Even when you’re broke.  If you don’t give it now, you won’t give it then either because there’s never enough.

If you want to be 30 pounds thinner ::raises hand:: start eating now like a person who’s 30 pounds thinner.

You get the picture.

It’s not always easy, but it’s the way to form habits that will make us into the people we ultimately want to be.

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.