Why Commitment is So Amazing

I was reading a post about consistent exercise on one of my Peloton Facebook groups. There were a lot of opinions on how everyone gets their workouts in.

I realized for the first time in my life, being committed to working out doesn’t seem like a burden.

It seems like a privilege. I am healthy and able bodied and can work out every day if I want to. What a gift that is most certainly not granted to everyone.

Last weekend I was in Texas visiting my daughters for parent’s weekend.

Friday night we had a few drinks and stayed out late. The next morning I woke up and for a moment I was going to justify not working out, but then I realized I actually wanted to.

So I got up, had some caffeine, splashed my face with cold water and headed to the hotel gym.

It was pretty bare bones, but with my Peloton app I was able to do some cardio, lifting and stretching. 

I was in there by myself and as I was flexing my mom muscles, I smiled at myself in the mirror and said, “I am so lucky! This isn’t a chore, this commitment feels great because I love it.”

Likewise, my son is an avid soccer fan and player. I am so proud of the commitment he has shown to his sport this year.

Just this past Saturday when his team didn’t have practice, he and another teammate sent out a group chat and said, “Hey, who wants to get together? We have an important game on Monday.”

Most of the team showed up because they wanted to. They know the only path to success is with dedication.

It made me think about life in general and how nobody becomes amazing at anything with mediocre effort. No musician, nor artist, nor athlete excels because of mere talent. So much of someone’s success is commitment to showing up day after day.

They recognize talent alone will never create greatness, but commitment can make an average person shine.

Commitment is only terrifying if you don’t want it.

If it’s something you enjoy, whether it be exercise, a hobby or a person, then the being dedicated part is easy.

That’s not to say I don’t recognize that some days it’s hard to be committed to something or someone. 

But overall, if it’s what you want, the dedication part is relatively easy.

I’m here because I want to be.

Not out of obligation or force or coercion.

Commitment isn’t terrifying, it’s exhilarating and amazing. 

I’m committed first and foremost to my kids, to my family and friends, to exercise, to health, to being true to myself.

None of those are remotely scary. I welcome them all with open arms and am proud to commit to people and things I love.

So remember, next time you are wavering on someone or something, it probably means you don’t really want it. 

Because in my experience, if you do, it’s easy to show up day after day, saying, “This is exactly where I want to be.”

Wishing y’all peace, love and commitment to whatever it is that you love…