It's Not Frustrating

Messy

Life can be a real, unpredictable mess at times.

There are things within our control—and way more beyond it. (See the Behavior Echo-System).

So, we tumble through life, tripping over our expectations, cursing when things don’t go our way, and thinking the universe owes us a smoother ride.

Here’s a quick story, courtesy of the NFL.

It’s halftime. The reporter is interviewing Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl-winning head coach. “You’ve been inside the red zone a few times and come away with nothing but field goals. Isn’t that frustrating?”

His response: “It’s not frustrating, it’s football.”

Boom.

Without pause, Tomlin dropped a truth bomb that should be knitted on pillows worldwide.

Football comes with challenges built right in. As does life.

How many of us set ourselves up for disappointment, convinced life is supposed to be a never-ending merry-go-round of cotton candy and catchy music?

We have generations of ‘kids’ growing up (thanks to social media), floating along, expecting (happiness loop - prior episode), each day to be an easy ride.

The last time I checked, life wasn’t designed for ease and comfort - feel free to thank whatever gods you’d like for that.

The good-ish news is this; when we stop expecting ease, comfort, and smoothness, we’re braced for a bumpy ride.

When we train ourselves for difficulties, the difficulties become easier.

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