Christmas found me employed temporarily as a UPS driver’s helper. Kinda like an elf, I guess. Not sure if it was hard work, because I have a high threshold for pain and enjoy a challenge. The driver I worked with seem to think I was really good, and that yes, it is very hard work that few people can do.

I often surprise myself with the things I can accomplish. Yet when I place my accomplishments against my day to day mundane routines, I feel pretty inferior. When I’m really passionate about something, immersed in an environment, facing a deadline, or have a manager, I work hard. I shapeshift into a superhero if I need to, or if YOU need me to. It’s challenging for me to set certain goals and then do the necessary incremental work. I can easily distract myself and produce a justification to avoid something that just 24 hours prior meant the world to m

We had an daily average of 168 runs on our UPS route. That is 168 stops where I climbed out of the truck to walk a package up your driveway. Let’s not forget about the other 168 times that I jumped back into the truck. Not counting bathroom stops, wrong addresses and lunch breaks, I traversed those three steps at least 336 times in ten hours. Since Maine is similar to the North Pole in late December, we rode with the doors closed. So, with my right arm, at least 336 times, I opened and closed those doors that just can’t take enough grease. The door wasn’t THAT heavy, nor the steps too many. But at the end of the second day, I was doing heavy yogic breathing to open it. The repetition hurt muscles I have never used, nor likely to use ever again. I wonder if UPS drivers arm wrestle with their left arms?? After a couple of days, the pain went away.

I strengthened the muscle responsible for completing the repetitive motion of opening and shutting the door. My buttocks felt great. Eventually, I had a little energy at the end of each shift.

What could be different in our lives, if we had the same discipline and gumption to apply towards ourselves as we do to meet the demands of others? Are we willing to accept the initial exhaustion in order to condition ourselves? In our personal lives are we willing to stumble and try again, over and over, until we integrate a new way to speak or a positive habit? Are we willing to identify what is unhealthy for us–physically, emotionally, spiritually and then start eliminating those things? Even if it seems like a small action, step, or movement, do it enough times, and you will see change. For better, for worse.