Feed or die

If you don’t feed your pet, it will die.

It’s a very simple concept.

You probably read that with a very simple “no duh” mindset.

But it’s convenient how often we forget to “feed” the things in our life that require energy to maintain.

It isn’t profound, but you must invest in things that you want to have.

You can’t wake up one day, do 100 pushups, and get jacked.

You can’t just show up and run a marathon.

You can’t pick up a paintbrush and get a painting in the Louvre.

Things of greatness require dedication. There is no shortcut to bypass time, and time is only of value when it comes with practice.

You won’t wake up and have reached your goals accidentally. The person you want to be, the life you want to have, that requires discipline and dedication.

If you want a relationship with someone, you have to feed that.

If you want a relationship with God, you have to feed that.

You are responsible for who you are and who you become. Others cannot make those choices for you. They cannot learn self-control for you. They cannot choose your temporary sacrifice for long-term reward. They cannot delay your gratification.

The same goes in reverse as well. The longer you continue to feed the parts of you that you claim you want to die, the longer they will continue to live.

An addict doesn’t overcome their addiction until they quit. There needs to be a daily dying to the desire for the things you refuse to continue in.

This isn’t to say that this is an individual activity - accountability is often essential to success - but you cannot put the responsibility on someone else for your actions.