Grand Funk Railroad

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”


- Albert Einstein

I’ve been in a real funk lately; I’m tired, I’m cranky and really just unmotivated. My laundry room is overtaken with piles of both clean and dirty clothing and my desk at work is being consumed en masse by piles of paper. Some days, I feel like I’m a salmon, trying my hardest to swim against the current to some unknown prize awaiting me upstream—all while spectators on the sidelines spit obscenities at me, daring me to justify my position.

When things are rough, it’s easy for us to forget about how wonderful our lives are—especially while watching the evening news. I still have a home, a husband, a job and a refrigerator filled with food. Even when the future seems uncertain, we all need a rock to cling to—even if we are our own rock. Disappointment, unfortunately, is a part of life. People who achieve great things are separated by those who give in to defeat by one small but meaningful gift; fortitude. The Beatles received countless rejection letters from radio stations who weren’t interested in their music, saying the world wasn’t ready for their “rock n’ roll” sound. What would the world look like, I wonder, if those who were told “No” on more than one occasion began to believe what their opponents said?

When life throws stones at us, it’s important to realize that someone is trying to tell us something. Perhaps it’s a reminder to savor the good times, or a message to just slow down. Regardless of the reason, sometimes slowing down and taking stock is necessary. For me, it’s been a hard lesson learned. You see, I never slow down—ever. I’m happy while in the midst of perpetual motion, but find great agony in being stagnant. My life is planned to a T and diverting from that plan is just plain scary. What would happen if I didn’t walk the straight line, following the rules and doing what I thought was necessary?

Although it might seem inconsequential, I tested my theory recently by doing something that truly scares me: not exercising for two weeks straight. Frightening, I know. If you know me, though, you’d know that exercise is the cornerstone of my sanity. You’d also know that I secretly fear that the world will come to an end (or my body will turn to 95% fat) if I don’t do something that involves rigorous physical activity for at least 1 hour, 6 days a week. Having an extreme “need” or compulsion to do something is never beneficial—even if the act itself is.

Allow me to be the first to say that it was hard, it was really hard. It’s not like I just sat on the couch for two weeks, but I didn’t undergo my normal 4 mile runs or hour-long weight training sessions. Surprisingly, my body didn’t turn to mush and I actually found other tasks to complete like working in the garden or taking Rudi for a long walk. It was, I dare say, relaxing.

Regardless of what it is you do to remain sane, sometimes you can find sanity in letting it go—even if it’s just for a moment.