The Grind

Society teaches us, especially as men, to "deal with it" or "grin and bear it."

Grind is defined as dreary, monotonous, or difficult labor, study, or routine (source: Merriam-Webster dictionary online).

How often have you said to yourself or said to another or had it said to you, "keep your nose to the grindstone!"

You get up, day after day, follow the same routine. Nothing. Ever. Changes.

You might feel stuck and unable to break free, you're the "provider" after all, it's your "job" to put food on the table and a roof over your heads.

Maybe you want to create something new, so you wake up early or stay up late and in the process, get less sleep and do more.

The grind gets worse.

Could you make a tradeoff? Instead of adding more, what if you also took something away?

Connect with your inner strength, that part of you that knows what lights you up and recognizes when the spark exists.

Make intentional choices about where you spend your time and energy.

Perhaps you skip the television at the end of the night to work on your project, read a book, or go to sleep.

If you take small, intentional steps, you can break away from the grind, regain some balance, and feel reinvigorated.

Create your life.