Fit in the City - Leigh Ann Root
Are you an American who Idles or an American Idol?
Are you a "busy body" or would you describe yourself as someone who is a little lazy? Here's how Webster defines idle: 1. useless 2. baseless 3. not busy or working 4. lazy. Not a very attractive character trait, is it? Now it's definition for Idol - image or object worshiped or adored. Do you cherish yourself the way you should? Unfortunately too many Americans have become idle when it comes to truly living their lives. Some seem to be waiting for life to come to them. Unfortunately people must put themselves in the game in order to live a fulfilling life. If this is you, don't waste another minute! Life is too precious and will pass you by. Why is it that some prefer to watch and read about others who are busy becoming idols? Do they feel they're not good enough to participate? Not deserving of great things? Not worthy? Is it fear of failure? Is it one big rut where people are stuck? Do people not have goals and dreams for themselves? What exactly is holding them back? The sidelines are a good place to be during a sporting event, but definitely not a place to be for the game we call life.
Personally, I prefer opposite of idle, which is busy. Busy and engaged in life, being productive but not overly busy. Busy is interesting and exciting. Although, extremely busy can become chaos. It's like anything, a balance must be found. Relaxation and breaks are part of a rich life. I believe people should earn their breaks. Working hard for something and getting it makes it that much sweeter and more satisfying. My hat goes off to all you hard workers out there! You have my respect and the respect of many others in your life, I'm sure. Whether it's working on a job, at school, toward personal improvement (physical or mental), or any other one of life's challenge, you should be commended! Good for you for not taking that road so often taken, the easy way. It's easy to ignore, to make excuses, to enable, and to accept less. It's much harder to demand more from yourself and from others. This is what makes great leaders, over achievers, amazing athletes. Isn't it time people began holding themselves to a higher standard? It's about dedication to excellence, sacrifice, and reaching high.
Just think about how so many individuals allow their bodies to become idle. These bodies are just waiting for disease and old age to set in and set in quickly. How can this be the right choice? Don't we value ourselves? Aren't we important? Why would people logically choose this a way to go through life? I don't get it, I don't think I ever will. We all have one body to do with what we want. I'm not talking about vanity, I'm talking about treating your body with love and respect. It's the very thing that gets you through your life. It can enhance your life's experiences or it can hinder them. I have a hard time believing that people can be satisfied with an inefficient body. It can make the simplest of chores seem excruciating. Why have so many Americans become idle? Why has this become acceptable? Why are we the fattest country in the world? This is not a distinction to be proud of. When people become sedentary, it effects every aspect of their lives - productivity, self esteem, their relatationships and the list goes on and on and on. When people put junk into their bodies they get junk out. A body doesn't perform well under these circumstances. Why are people not helping themselves or getting the help they need to become more effifient? When idling is taken to the extreme, personalities change. People become cynical, grumpy, and unhappy. They complain and blame and talk about how others make their lives bad. They have given away their power to change or to improve. They have taken that easy way out. They're afraid to admit who is really responsible for their situation. They've stopped becoming accountable for their lives. Why? How does this happen? Why is this acceptable behavior?
Have I become cynical? Do I believe the state of society's health is hopeless? Never. I remain hopeful. I'm still a "glass half full" gal, praying that people get moving towards healthier lives. It will not only benefit their bodies, but also the overall quality of their lives. I'm hoping they'll get in the game, get busy becoming idols in their own minds and not remain the Americans who idle.
