It took me a long time to figure out that I control my life.

I used to believe I didn’t have a choice.

Each day was a repeat of the one before and the next would be the same as today. Nothing ever changed.

I made excuses.

I never had enough time or money. I didn’t have enough time because I was always working so I could have enough money. But no matter how much I worked, I never seemed to have enough money.

I was like a prisoner in my own life.

I didn’t have dreams.

All I could focus on was the day ahead. The bills due at the end of the week.

I wasn’t happy.

But I also wasn’t miserable enough to have a reason to change. The Comfort Zone. That place where you could be doing something better with your life but you’re afraid of the risk.

What if you fail?

At least you have a job. Even if you aren’t happy, it pays the bills. Maybe your marriage has dulled over the years, but it could be worse. You aren’t fighting all the time. And sure, you’ve put on a few pounds over the years, but at least you can still see the tip when you take a piss…

You get through the day by minimizing the problems and making excuses for the way things are. This is your security blanket to protect you from the realities of your life. The reality that you know you deserve better … that you’re capable of more.

You sacrifice your dreams in exchange for comfort and the illusion of security. You’re complacent and complicit. And until acted upon by an outside force, you’ll remain this way until you die.

Motivation rarely comes from within. You’re too busy trying to justify the way things are instead of doing anything to fix them. You spin things in your mind and find reasons why the problems aren’t your fault. You don’t want to take responsibility. So you blame someone else.

And so your dreams are never realized. Your goals never met.

And the cycle repeats itself.

“It isn’t my fault.”

Have your excuses become just that?

Excuses.