“I Don’t Feel Like It”*

Do you suffer from “I don’t feel like it -itus”?  Here is a cure for whenever it gets in the way.

You know you should get some exercise but you don’t feel like it.  You have a list of excuses to choose from

“I didn’t sleep well.”

” I had a fight with my significant other.”

“I had a bad day at the office.”

Etcetera. ecetera….You know that exercise is good for you.  You know from experience that when you exercised, you always feel better afterwards. So it’s important to make that extra effort to exercise. Making that extra effort is now part of the workout. It’s as though you began with some heavy lifting. You have trained yourself to overcome an emotion that stands in the way of your progress and growth.

Kabbalists speak of “Head over Heart.” The head is above the heart, so that metaphorically the head should overrule the heart. The head represents the intellect that knows what is right to do. The heart represents the emotions which are often impulsive and when acted upon alone, sends us off the path of our improvement and growth. Ideally, eventually the head and heart will find a balance to work together.  Until we find that balance we should let the head overrule.

Beyond exercise, which is for ourselves, the same head over heart approach applies to our dealings with others. Too often we are not as kind, compassionate, or charitable, because at that moment we “don’t feel like it.”

When we are feeling up and in a good mood, it’s easy to be giving. Giving of ourselves is hardest, just like exercise, when we’re not in the mood.  Just like exercise, that is precisely the time to make that extra effort, knowing that it’s the good and right thing to do, and that you will feel better afterwards.

Eventually, using that knowledge, it will become easier and easier to automatically do the right thing.  So whenever you find yourself saying “I don’t feel like it,” tell yourself that that’s all the more reason to do it.

Doing good always makes you feel good

“There is no better exercise for your heart, than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.” – Bernard Meltzer

With that in mind, keep this in mind

“The greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.” –  Dr. Jonas Salk

Be Good Do Good Think Good

*An “Oldie but Goodie” updated