It’s been a crazy busy couple of days at work! As a result, I’ve not found the time, energy, or inspiration to journal. The temptation has simply been to come home and veg out. The good news is that despite all of the exhausting pressures at work, I’ve managed to cope and not break my sober streak. Through none of this busyness, did I skip out on my critical morning routine. That would be a risky endeavor!
Zero+ ; Baker’s Dozen ; M: 163 ; C: 125 ; P/U: 75×2 ; W: 15.5 mi
Health R.O.S.
- Weight: 205.9
- BMI: 27.9
- Fat %: 21.2
- Water %: 57.5
The Temptation To Trump Logic
As a result of some of my work related discussions and contemplations, I’ve come to realize that many of the frustrations I experience with the illogical decisions of others are my issue, not theirs. They are dealing with their own hangups and challenges. Consider the leadership of the Nasdaq traded tech company I work for.
My boss, the president, and his boss, the CEO, are subjected to tremendous pressures to hit short term goals related to revenue and sales growth, among other things. Afterall, their jobs, and all the incentives related to their jobs, revolve around their ability to hit the short term prognostications of Wall Street analysts. These analysts literally have one finger on the stock’s buy button and another one on the sell.
The temptation then is for them to sacrifice the long term vision for the short term result. They are motivated by the movement of the stock price. In fact, their very jobs depend on it. This tremendous pressure trumps logic.
It’s not that they don’t understand this. They most certainly do. They are both incredibly intelligent and successful individuals. But their knowing the value of preserving the long view and taking the appropriate actions to get their are thwarted by the intense pressures they face as the public faces of a public company.
Don’t Mistake Pleasure For Happiness
Sacrificing long term happiness for short term pleasure is a problem confronting us as humans every single day. Eating that pint of ice cream sacrifices our weight loss goals. Drinking that beer conspires against our sobriety. Skipping a day of meditation subverts our peace of mind.
We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need to impress people we don’t even like. In the end, all we have to show for it is credit card debt and meager bank account balances.
We trade the instant dopamine rush for a lingering feeling of guilt and disappointment that itself is cured by, you guessed it, another instant dopamine rush. And thus the cycle commences. Soon we develop habits that undermine our health, wellness, and long term goals be these mental, physical, or financial.
Early on in my meditation practice, I learned that pleasure is not happiness. These words are often mistaken for one another, but they are not the same thing. Pleasure comes from without while happiness comes from within. Yet, for many, they are virtually indistinguishable.
That’s why I think the majority of us fall victim to the temptation of giving in to whatever urge or desire happens to hook our attention at any moment. We constantly mistake pleasure for happiness. I suspect this may be why we experience a certain emptiness in the neverending pursuit and fulfillment of our hedonistic desires.
Temptation Eyes
Heading up to the mountains, I grabbed a six pack of each of the Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic IPAs. Once I got up here, I decided to tempt fate a little bit and bought two six packs of regular alcoholic beer – a Sam Adams Winter and a Modelo Negro.
Currently my goal is twofold. First, I want to get to my second ‘Twice Lucky’. Second, I’d also like to achieve my very first ‘Thrice Lucky’. Today will get me to the Twice and next Friday I’ll finally arrive at the Thrice.
Next week, after Thanksgiving, I’ll be in the mountains (challenge one), with my wife’s pot smoking family (challenge two), who likes to party (challenge three). So, I wanted to do a test run. In two phases.
So, I figured I’d come up here and get the place ready for all of our guests. That includes stocking up on things like beer and wine. Here I am with cold beer in the fridge watching Thursday Night Football and I choose to enjoy an Athletic IPA and an O’Doul’s.
And you know what? It worked! Those non-alcoholic beers hit the spot. Drinkie was satisfied with the relaxing feeling of the hops and both of those alcoholic six packs remain in the fridge untouched. I’m going to go for a temptation repeat tonight so I can hit my second ever ‘Twice Lucky’.
And I’ve decided (phase 2) to take it up another notch! I’ve invited up my good friend and long time pot dealer to join me at my cabin. There’s no way he’s not smoking pot tonight and likely in my presence.
Call me crazy, but I’m confident I can rise to the challenge…
