There’s only varying degrees of what you actually want
Just wrote two large checks to the government. It’s because, those that live in an eat-what-you-kill life here in the US, have to send in what they think are going to be the taxes every three months.
It’s a bit annoying and sometimes stressful because (a) you have to make educated guesses and (b) you have to be ready to write those checks.
Mentioned this to a buddy the other day and he said that I must have a lot of willpower to not spend the money. Likewise, when I mentioned to someone else that I was once super fat, she too remarked that I must have a lot of willpower
So, I figured now was a good time to present another core belief of mine to you: There’s no such thing as willpower.
It doesn’t exist.
What does exist are value judgments as to the relative worth of things.
For example, when I was a fat kid – whether I realized it or not – I was making a choice of choosing the pleasure of chocolate cake over the discomfort of being teased; the pleasure of sitting on a couch watching television versus the discomfort of exercise.
In other words, I was getting something out of being fat that was worth more to me than not being fat.
It was only when I went to junior high school, where there was a pretty girl named Eve, that it flipped. Suddenly, it being fat wasn’t worth the cost to me.
Isn’t it always about a girl?
In any case, had a co-worker of mine, years ago, who just complained about the work he did all the time.
He was offered a promotion and he declined, saying that he was worried no one else could do the job as well as he could. Everyone else thought this was so noble, but I realized that he was getting something out of his current job that was worth more than the higher title, more than the additional income, more than the additional responsibilities.
He liked to complain.
He was getting more out of being able to complain than he would have gotten out of all the other things.
Should note that I never did summon the courage to ask Eve out. Just as well.
There are few people who can actually put up with my idiosyncrasies.
Me: (dropping something) CRASH!
Her: I’m really worried about your ability, as a rational person, to hold onto things.
Core belief 3: You are what you decide to be
Core belief 2: You’re not who you could be because of the lies you tell yourself<
Core belief 1: I’ll judge you for what you do but never for what you are
Location: the start of a new week in an old chair
Mood: sore
Music: like a dream, make me feel crazy
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[…] Her: How do you eat this much? Me: Willpower. […]