The Old Grind Is History

AFTERNOON:

The Old Grind is history.

I went beyond and transcended the Old Grind today. I threw myself into my work and enjoyed it as much as I could. I kept reminding myself.

Like any other day, I started wearing down as the day went on. But it was still a concept in my mind, to treat my work as an opportunity.

I like concepts. The last few have been very helpful to me, including the Hedgerow of Warring Angels. I thought of it today, invoking it.

And Gigantic Strides. I was thinking if I get a whole list of these concepts, I'll indeed have to make a list, so I can look at it.

Maybe I can make my own deck of spirituality cards, like where a person will pull a Gigantic Strides card and accomplish something big.

Or a Hedgerow of Warring Angels card, then be surrounded and protected by the Hedgerow, clearing the way to fulfill your great destiny.

My mentality reaches for what comes next. I don't know what it is. But it's somewhere in the folds of that gigantic thing inside my head.

Now it's late. I've been up since 5 a.m. I need to do the dishes, clean the catbox, take the dog out, brush my teeth, and go to bed.

Even though I'm tired, do I consider doing all that the Old Grind? No. Thank God for my dog and cats and that I get to do the dishes.

I didn't really want to write anything else tonight. But I thought, "That's just the Old Grind talking." Write it! It's an opportunity!

Staring Down The Old Grind

AFTERNOON:

I've stared the Old Grind in the face and by gosh I think I won.

First one to look away is the loser. And the Old Grind couldn't take my intensity.

Thank goodness for a little discipline. Discipline, self expectations are all it really takes to overcome so many things.

Like the way we conceive of our work. Is it the Old Grind or is it an opportunity to excel and better yourself?

I definitely think having a more joyous, expectant attitude is the way to get ahead.

But to cringe and pout about having to put my nose to the grindstone -- the Old Grind -- that just makes me sick and resentful.

So overcome the Old Grind, the mental concept of your day being the Old Grind, and see everything become new!

I have lots of other tasks to do, chores around the place to keep me busy for most of the rest of the day. I'm loving it!

I've been getting a lot done. The morning definitely flew by. Time wasn't dragging a bit. In fact it went too fast.

Appreciate your work. Do it with happiness. You'll be happier!

No More Old Grind For Me

MORNING:

The old grindstone awaits my presence. Well, let it wait, I might say, because I'm sick and tired of putting my nose to the old grindstone!

I might say, My nose is worn down badly, all the skin and cartilage is in shreds, and all that's left are the pipe cleaners sticking out.

And you expect ME to show up to work again today, to look down at that spinning obsolete contraption, and bend low to meet it again?!

Well! I might easily huff, Get yourself another man. I've been victimized by your profit-making schemes for too long, I'm outta here!

That's one way of looking at our daily round of work. Maybe your job is a toughie and you dread it. And yet you have to go to it, of course.

Another way is to start looking at life with refreshed eyes, where everything is a wonder, including what we normally consider a grind.

We might look at it like the great privilege it is, 1) to be alive; 2) to have something to do; 3) to spend our day doing it.

Personally, I've seen it from both sides, and they still come and go: "50 whole weeks of the same old grind, then two weeks of pleasure."

At times I can't seem to help it. That's just the way it is. Then at other things I think, Why not make the 50 weeks pleasure too?

It's a mental shift, of course, but one that can refresh us greatly. Meaning that what we do is a vocation, maybe an adventure, maybe fun!

Some of my little tasks around here -- BOORRRRRING -- I can look at them that way, or I can look at them as "This IS My Life -- Enjoy It!"

So I'm "Getting Beyond The Old Grind," leaping, bounding, flying over the concept of the Old Grind, and enjoying what I do.

Don't waste this day of life. Whatever crap-thing you're called to do, dive in like you just won the lottery. It'll be good for your spirit.

That's the way I'm going to face this whole day! Seriously.

Beyond The Old Grind

Put your nose to the grindstone.

That's the way to get things done. I think the old phrase means it may be painful but to get it accomplished you have to dive right in.

You might have just been innocently sniffing a grindstone and someone started it up. If anyone could be said to be "innocently" sniffing things. There has to be something devious about it.

As weird as the whole thing is, we has some idea what it means. Then it gets related to the whole reputation of hard work, that it's a grind.

Back to the old grind. Two weeks of vacation, then 50 weeks of the same old grind. Or you could switch it around for a more positive spin, 50 more weeks of the same old grind, then two weeks of happy vacation! Lounging on the beach while the kids beg for money and things.

The same old grind is a boring way to look at life. It's not cutting loose enough for my tastes. Instead, there's something to be said about embracing the old grind, even transcending the old grind. That would mean being so mindful and purposeful about your life that everything is fun, or if not fun, rewarding.

Like whatever I have to do today. I could look at it as drudgery. Getting in there and slogging it out. The various chores I have around the half acre and house. Or I can see it in more personal terms, like what they always say about a vocation, as my purpose, a calling.

But what kind of calling is it, what I do? For the average person looking at it, they might say it's no calling at all. It's just the random everyday duties of a guy who needs to scrape like the rest of us. Yes, I have an advantage, since I'm on disability (a game toe), but that doesn't mean I do nothing. I have plenty of responsibilities.

And, as you know, I've been spending a lot of my time (informally) in the teaching field (self-certified), leading people (strangers on the internet mostly) in some of the pointers that relate to self-esteem, confidence, and personal pride. I could consider that a grind, but I don't. It's very rewarding to know that many of my readers (no doubt) are transcending their circumstances this very second, thanks to what I've been able to share.

Today's pointer is just that, to transcend our circumstances, as they relate to the daily grind, the old grind. And to see it in more purposeful terms. There's no telling what greater things you can accomplish just by a few mind tweaks as to how you see things. Instead of drudgery, everyday is the opportunity of a lifetime! To do good work, to touch and bless those around you for good.

I've got my nose to the grindstone and it's a great thing! Now I'm cranking it so it won't wear down. And letting the sparks fly where they will!