The Blessing of Incovenience

   This morning I saw a young lady crossing the street.

     Apparently she had just visited a gas station.   She was wearing flip flops and that style which I hope will one day fade away:  Pajamas.  The flip flops were common - after all, this is Florida - although I would not recommend wearing them when one is jaywalking down Apalachee Parkway (think of a wide street with a raised divider in your own city).  As for the pajamas...it's a personal choice, even though I don't let my kids walk out the house in them.

     Yet the most fascinating thing about her was the content of her nearly see-through plastic bag:  A two liter coke, some potato chips and other snacks.  The bag was from the gas station, but right next door is a Walmart SuperCenter.  Assuming that she had bought the overpriced items at the gas station, why would she overlook Walmart?  The reasons may range from customer service to proximity; yet the one that sticks in my mind is convenience. 

     How often does convenience drive our choices? 

     How often will we pay more for a commodity, when generics and even name brands (at a better price) are available nearby?

     How often will we reach for cheap and easy fast food, when we can (and need to) eat something better and healthier at home?

     How often will we spend a dollar, when saving it makes more sense?

     How often will we tolerate toxic behavior from toxic people, all in the name of  love (which incidentally shares the same first letter as laziness)?

     Do I need to mention exercise?

     How often will we take the path of least resistance, when we need the challenge of the road less taken?

     Inconvenience is a pain in the neck, but sometimes it might be the first step to becoming a better person.

     Always B Positive!

    




    

1600 Calories...

     "Hey Thomas, come join us!  It's only 400 miles, through the mountains of Texas!"

     "No thank you.  Maybe another time" I replied.

     "Hey Tom, I once traveled from New York to Florida.  Then I crossed the Everglades and even slept at the edge of a swamp, near the Indian Reservation.  I'd love to do another trip down there.  Would you like to join me?"

     "Nope..." I said.

     "Hey Thomas, I glad I found you.  We're putting together a round the world tour.  First we'll travel across the USA.  Fly to China.  Cross through lower mongolia, then across the former Soviet Republics, all those --Istans, then make our way through Europe, then fly back to the USA.  We'll be in a group of 20.  Want to join us?"

     "I'll pass..."

     Each of these were snippets of actual conversations I have had with fellow bike riders, each one fit and trim, each one healthy and each one begging me to join them in their collective mania.  I ride, but usually for one of three reasons:  First, because I work so close to home; second, to accompany my kids; and third, whenever I let my testosterone fool me into thinking that I actually know something about cars ("Thomas, just take it to the shop!" my wife has been known to say).

     Tonight I received a kick in the side from another source.  A fellow church member - who is the same size as he was in high school - greatly encouraged me.  He works in the medical profession and bikes daily.   He pointed out that we burn 1600 calories a day just by doing nothing.  So when combined with a modified diet, the prospect of biking to work is intriguing.  There are few hills and the bike lanes and sidewalks are wide and safe.  We also have showers at my job.

     When all of our excuses have been defused, what do we do next?

     Always B Positive!