Take a Mulligan

My saving grace in golf . . . mulligans.  They are basically a "do-over."  You wipe the slate clean and take another shot as if it were your first.

Today, I had a client come in who was just distraught.  She had a started a new phase in her workout plan with me and three days into it, she had done nothing. Zilch. Not even attempted anything.  I could tell something was wrong as soon as she walked in the door. Her demeanor, her expression, her voice all screamed at me, "I'M A FAILURE!"  Those weren't her words and she didn't really scream, but she did say to me that she felt like she had taken a "giant step backwards" and that she had "reversed all the progress" that she had made thus far.  She confided that she really didn't understand what went wrong.  She just stepped off the bus.

I told her that sometime down the road, it would be beneficial to examine what happened and be able to identify the causes so she can avoid the same pitfalls again.  But today - right now - she needs to take a mulligan.  Look forward, sight the pin, set the ball on the tee and swing again.  We had a great workout and she left with a smile on her sweaty face.

Everyone has moments or days or even weeks that just need to be forgotten.  It doesn't mean abject failure. Luckily, we can "do-over" a lot and move forward again.  Even if you haven't taken care of your body . . . even though it is the only one you will get . . . even if it has gone beyond neglect into downright abuse . . . you still have the option of looking forward, establishing a goal, aligning yourself with a professional and starting down the road to health.  Every step you take and every choice you make moves you closer to health or to disease. Give yourself that chance.  Take a mulligan and start living like you really want to be alive.