There's No Excuse for Excuses

It is human nature to take the irreducible, slap a cute theory on it, and call it a day. We are absolutely cunning at maintaining the status quo through seductively reasonable excuses. Thing is: most of the excuses we give ourselves are hokum, but they seem true because we don't challenge them. They look like ducks, and they quack like ducks, so we never check to see if they taste good with plum sauce - which they assuredly do not.

The most recent example of this from my life is "I wouldn't be broke if I could just find some freelance work." Last week I had some project concepts approved and was given the go-ahead to put together some bids. A week later, no bids have been submitted, and I'm no closer to rectifying my finances. Why?

I haven't done the work. The premise of my problem was all off. I wasn't broke because I didn't have freelance projects, but because I wouldn't do the work even if a project sat itself in my lap. My finances begin and end with my willingness to persevere through the moments of prolonged discomfort that work and budgeting can bring about.

Lately, I'm discovering that despite my mental machinations, the buck does in fact stop with me. The reason I don't have an agent, is I haven't genuinely pursued one. The reason I'm not being cast is I'm not putting myself out there. The reason I don't have six pack abs is I haven't paid for them in sweat.

It's a scary thing to live life stripped of excuses and extenuating circumstances. Knowing it's all up to me, how do I move on? Am I capable of meaningful and lasting change? Or am I destined to become the same asshole I've always been, just wearing a different hat? I'm hoping it's the former, even though a new hat would be nice.

MJ, care to sing us out?

"I'm Gonna Make A Change,

For Once In My Life

It's Gonna Feel Real Good,

Gonna Make A Difference

Gonna Make It Right . . .

I'm Starting With The Man In

The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change

His Ways

And No Message Could Have

Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtWIx2zLtk