Take The Stairs, Dammit!

No, this is not about burning calories.

It’s a quick note on winning the day.

Today I was with my family coming home from an exhausting trip to visit every person I’ve ever called family, and then some. We landed in SFO, grabbed our bags, and made our way toward the shuttles. Between the claim and the shuttle pickup we had two flights of stairs to take, thanks to a broken escalator. My sister immediately exclaimed “I’m not doing that!” around the same time my mom whined “Ugh, just my luck.”

Now, I love my mom and my sister very much, but it frustrates me when they fall into this trap. You noticed that they said they won’t do it. They never said they can’t do it. They believe in their abilities but their mind gives up far too easily. Ive trained myself to get excited about small challenges like this. Because I get to do something simply because I don’t want too. I dont have to look for a way out. I don’t have to be disappointed in the broken escalator. I don’t have to get discouraged. I just have to know and act. I know I can handle this challenge as is. So I did.

Now I’m not perfect. I’m lazy, I cut corners from time to time, I look for the easy way out. The difference is that I do my best to be aware of these very minute choices. My mom and sister made the decision to opt out of the challenge on instinct. I gave an extra moment of thought and chose something that was better for me. No matter how small, choices will create habits.

So next time you have a choice, choose hard, test yourself, do it because after the most terrifying storms come the most beautiful flowers. This is a small step toward loving yourself and enjoying life every day. Choose hard, choose scary. Then conquer and own the choice. See how you’re better for it and then love who you are a little bit more! You deserve it!