“I can’t function without my second cup of coffee;
but, once I’ve had that second cup, look out world –
I can do ANYTHING!”
Herbie Halfmaster
What gets you going and keeps you going through THICK and through THIN? What pushes you “over the top” to be able to tackle anything that comes your way … or do you ever get that far? Do you always have to be “pushed” or “pulled” by something or someone else? And/or do you need to lean on “crutches” just to make it through?
For me, it’s sometimes my ibuprofen, sometimes coffee or a caffeinated soda. The really undesirables may require a shot of bourbon; but with bourbon on board, one risks breaking one’s neck! So there are definitely limits to the help we can get from “crutches”. Perhaps a deferred reward will do it, as in “When I finish this project I can have a donut/ice cream/soda/chocolate bar, buy a new outfit, etc.?”
The challenge to living an unencumbered and fulfilled life is to move from not doing anything at all without a push, to doing something, even if it requires a “crutch”, to doing the necessities without “crutches”, to doing more than the necessities by any and all means – and not becoming so dependent on “crutches” as to end up an “invalid”.
The really neatest condition is being “undeterrably invincible”!
How do we move from having to be pushed and pulled along in life to a dependence on “crutches” to being “undeterrably invincible”?
By taking three calculated steps:
- First, fortifying our constitution to a point that any challenge can be “taken in stride”. There is no real substitute for attentive preparation, including education, research, experience, strategic planning, organization and endurance conditioning (including some form of exercise);
- Second, by accepting the role of “steward” with enough backbone to take on responsibility not only for ourselves but for our adopted “mission” and for others within our frame of reference (as in “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother!”); and
- Third, by identifying and putting on the best ARMORALL we can find.
Armorall is defined here as a tangible or intangible “vestment” which confers upon us an unnatural state of empowerment to do what needs to be done (ala, “Powdermilk Biscuits” from “Lake Wobegone”.) For mowing the grass, raking leaves, trimming trees, pulling weeds, removing mildew, patching the roof, repairing the driveway, plumbing, etc., I use my “KRYPTONITE, By God Overalls”. For lifting and moving bricks, furniture, attic boxes, etc., I use my form-fitting “Flack Jacket/Back Support/Gut Garter”. And for deskwork or keyboarding at the computer, I fortify myself with “O-Zone H2O” and don my “Sack-‘Em Socks”.
Cleaning the shower is a slightly different story. For this onerous task, I have established the “Devil’s Alternative” option, such that cleaning the shower gets me off the hook from doing a 30 minute workout. Some weeks, I get a lot of workouts!
Knowing what “makes you tick” and setting up even “hokey” conditions for tackling monstrous to mundane duties can make a world of difference in both attitude and accomplishments. It can even enhance your sense of “play” by making games out of doing things you would otherwise deplore. WHY SUFFER SO UNNECESSARILY!?!
Other kinds of armorall one could use, depending on particular circumstances, might include:
- Cowboy boots / Steel-Toed Work Boots
- A “Power” tie
- A talisman of any kind (rabbit’s foot, GET TOIT & DOIT Medallion, etc.)
- Photograph of a revered “Champion”
- Background music – or NOISE of your choice
- Having a “Song in your heart”
- Wearing “Lucky” underwear
- A “Chaw” of bubble gum
- A “Howitzer Hat”
- A “Nothing left to lose” mentality
Finally, having a mind set of “Eventual Surmountability” is extremely helpful. You WILL do it, and you WILL get through it – no matter what it takes and no matter how long it takes – and life will be so much better for your having persisted in the effort.
The best “armorall” against “vincibility” is three-fold. The first two are preparation and starting early. There is no real substitute for comprehensive preparation, including: education, research, experience, strategic planning and organization – beginning NOW! The third element is the cultivation of strategic associations/affiliations/alliances. No person or civilization has ever achieved greatness without them. Having someone run along side you and being there to “get your back” multiplies your potential impact many-fold. The fallback position, of course, is JUST DOIT – simply roll out the armorall and become as “undeterrably invincible” as you are already prepared to be!! Quartermaster
