Man.  What I read from James Clear this morning is so what matters to me big time at the moment.
I feel like I have said all this before.  Yet to me the importance of something is often how often it is repeated.  This to me represents the difference between achievers and wishers.
He said, “The bad workouts are the most important ones. It's easy to train when you feel good, but it's crucial to show up when you don't feel like it—even if you do less than you hope.
Going to the gym for 15 minutes might not improve your performance, but it reaffirms your identity. It's not always about what happens during the workout. It's about becoming the type of person who doesn't miss workouts.”
I have been saying and thinking how easy it is when everything aligns, and I totally feel like getting into something.  Yet I very much feel my true character is revealed not so much in the easy times but the hard times.  Basically, following what James is taking about, when I do not feel like it.  Yet I know that doing it is what I have committed to.  Necessary if I am to achieve all I have set myself to achieve.
It sort of ties in with something else I was reading yesterday.  That is, often taking the easy way is taking the hard way.  That is, not going to the gym may be taking the easier way for now, but when the pressure is on and what would have been gained by going to the gym is not available, I am likely to come up short - to not have what I need when I need it.  That is when easy proves to be hard.
For sure some things may not be pleasant right now, but they are worth it.
I heard about a guy that was 30 and looking at committing 5 years of his life to learning the piano.  He sought advice as to if he should.  He was asked “how old will you be in 5 years if you do learn it?”  He said “35.”  Then he was asked “How old will you be in 5 years if you don’t learn it?”  Again he said “35” and in the story asked “how come the same.”
For me it is not the time that matters but what I do with the time.  No matter what I do, time goes by the same.  I ask myself, “will it be full of regret or satisfaction?”

I am big on being better together.
I know I have strengths and weaknesses.  I know that others do too.  I also know that when we combine, then what I am weak in, another is strong in, and vice versa.
It is on that basis I like to give people a second, third and whatever chance.  I know that all actions have consequences.  For some under the law there is no second chance.  It is safer for all humanity that it is that way.  That does not mean any of our actions to each other are unforgiveable, but some definitely have an isolating quality that is best for all.
What matter to me in all cases though is the goal.  Remembering that second, third and whatever number of chances are what I sometimes need before I get it right, I need to expect the same of another.
For me it is not so much what I am, but what I could be.  Admittedly there can be a great chasm between the two, yet to me it is not the size of the chasm that matters, but the size of the willingness to go for it.
I reckon there are many that have unused potential.  That others perhaps do not give a second thought.  Many that are seen only as bit players in my goal.  Yet to me, it can be those same ones that may only need a second, third or whatever chance to shine and display their full potential.  I know I can be in such a hurry that I forgo the growth of another in pursuit of my aim, but where instant is not necessary, I am the poorer for not allowing development in another.
It seems to me so often those that are given a second, third or whatever chance that are the best and most loyal.  I know that for me getting another chance when I did not deserve it, inspired me more than being discarded.
I don’t know that I can necessarily explain it well, but I do know that when I crash pursuing a worthwhile goal, and am encouraged to give it another go, I am way more inclined to believe in myself - knowing another believes in me.

Yesterday was a goodie.  We contacted our plumber to come around and give us a quote for some work that needs to be done.  It was arranged they could be here after one in the afternoon.
That worked fine for us as there was a couple we were visiting.  He had been a sewing machine repair person and had one of Merril’s to look at.  It turned out it would work fine with high quality thread but lesser thread it was inclined to miss steps it was asked to do.  We had trouble figuring that one out as did he.
But it was still a time of chat and getting to know them.  We had taken flowers and something to eat (carrot cake) for morning tea.  She also bakes and we munched on a chocolate chip cooking.  Before we partook of them the husband declared they were terrible but we found out this was his ploy so he could have them all.
It was a good tie and one I would be happy to do again.
When we got home we were busy beavers.  As someone was coming we used the time to do some things around the home.  Turned out we had more time than we needed as I ended up sending a text asking should we wait or do something else.  That seemed to galvanize things as someone came very soon after to look at the work needed.  They went away with all the details and a quote will follow shortly.
Once they had gone we had a rest and I continued to prepare for a get together we have here of a Tuesday night.  I always enjoy it but am always glad when it is over as I am the one who leads the get together.  One thing I wonder is how many will be here.
The max possible is 11.  Last night there were 10.
Not an over the top day for sure but a good one.  We got things done and our circle of friends grew.  We also felt we grew as people too.  All in all to me that’s not a bad effort.