Buck Furpees: My Thoughts on Karma

This morning I was doing way more burpees than any human should ever have to do. Ever. At about number 17, this thought occurred to me: “Ohhh snap, the trainer is looking away… I could totally half-ass these next few…”

That was followed by this thought: “I could also just crawl right out the back door there and never be heard from again.”

Finally, this: “Get your shit together Zook. If you have enough energy to flip off your trainer in between burpees, you have enough energy to touch your chest to the ground each time.”

I did the freaking burpees. All of ‘em. It was a lot of work/sweating/heaving. Not pretty. But you know what? I felt great after I was done. Still do. My body feels energized, strong, and healthy. Not to mention I will be burning calories all. day. long. from that little adventure.

Ok Kristen, good story. And your point is….?

We all have the tendency to look for the “easy” way out, don’t we? Not just in workouts, but in everything…

“I’ma just sweep this dirt under the refrigerator where no one can see it.” >>> dry heaving 3 years later when actually cleaning behind the fridge

“I’ma just spit my gum on the ground here instead of finding a trash can.” >>> stepping in own gum moments later

“I’ma just hit the drive-through for dinner instead of cooking tonight.” >>> weight gain, low energy, skin problems, and guilt

“I’ma just join in this juicy gossip rather than rising above and excusing myself from the conversation.” >>> mistrust, rumors, and lowered integrity

“I’ma just give my husband/partner/friend the silent treatment rather than explaining what’s actually wrong.” >>> resentment, disconnect, not solving any problems

Notice a pattern? You get what you give.

See, it doesn’t matter if the trainer’s back was turned when you did those half reps. Or if nobody witnesses you eating that whole sleeve of Oreos. Or if your friend never hears those nasty things you said behind her back. Or if the cashier doesn’t realize she gave you back too much change. The Universe notices. The energy you put out there, whether negative or positive, WILL come back to you in some form or another. I guarantee it.

^^This is my favorite necklace. I wear it as a reminder that everything comes full circle. You could say it a number of ways:

You are what you eat.
You reap what you sow.
Karma
What goes around comes around.
You’re laying in the bed you made.
The Law of Attraction
Self-fulfilling prophecies

Call it what you will. As I’ve said before, I don’t really believe in right and wrong. I believe in ENERGY- placing it somewhere and then accepting the consequences. When it comes down to it, I know that if I eat crap food, I will feel like crap. If I hang around shitty attitudes, my own attitude goes down the shitter. If I half-ass my workouts, my ass will only look half good. If I treat my clients like gold, I will have the best clients. (I really do have the best clients. <3) If I spend my mental energy worrying, comparing, competing, or envying, I will be insecure and fearful. If I use that same energy to educate myself, think positively, and be grateful, I will move forward in the best way possible.

So, my advice to you is this: Don’t take the easy way out. Do what you know will put you in a better place for the future. Even if that means getting sweat in your eyes, touching your chest to the floor EVERY TIME, and probably temporarily wanting to bail. It will be so worth it.