The concept of isolating yourself for the purpose of mourning the loss of a loved one, is historically designated as a person electing to wear black until the mourning period is over. You can imagine the widow from circa 1800 wearing a black petty coat and a black veil standing at a gravesite in the pouring rain.
Many poets, song writers, and authors have used this imagery over the years. AC/DC wanted us to know that they were back after the near death of the band when their lead singer died suddenly. Amy Winehouse mourns the man that left her yet again for a sure thing rather then her erratic drunken behavior. Of course with both of these popular cultural songs, there is a greater meaning embedded or implied.
Naturally, I like this imagery and the reference and that is exactly where I was at this morning. No more messing around. No more lazy responses. I know what I have to do. Put down the chocolate brownie, put down the caffeinated beverage, stop putting off what I have to, time to run out the door before the sun comes up. Time to go back to black.
Push myself hard, and when it gets really hard, push myself even further. That is black.
Wake up early to get more done, and just because I can, wake up a few minutes earlier. That is black.
Bypass the sugary treats, skip the pastries, cream filled high calorie pasta dishes. Eat the cup of clean carbs and 4 oz. protein source. Sit down and eat and pretend it is awesome, even when it is not. That is black.
Instead of 40, run 50. Instead of 100 reps, do 110. Instead of 15 minutes, go 30. You are thinking about quitting, then decide to go double. Yup. I am back to black.
Need to mourn the loss of my old, lazy, procrastinating self. The old me is just dead and gone, buried 6 feet under a solid and steady commitment to build a better, healthier, more vibrant version of myself.
Guy Reams
