I try my best to make it a habit to read the comics page each day. It kind
of relaxes me. I come home, read the funnies, and then hit the books.
There is only one comic strip I do not like, and that is Gasoline Alley, but I
read it anyway. Slim was trying to stay on a diet and his wife was making sure
he did--of course he didn't. One reason may be that they were going by the
watchdog system, not the buddy system.
Almost anything is easier if you've got someone else doing it with you; it's
as simple as that. I've been saying for the past month that I need to start
exercising. Well, today Lacy mentioned to me about how she needs to start doing
crunches. I said that I do too. So she asked me to keep her accountable, and
she would keep me accountable, and by that system we'd be more likely to get off
our butts and do some crunches. It's amazing how effective that turned out to
be already. Perhaps it was partially attributed to having no homework, but when
I got home I immediately started exercising (after reading the funnies, of
course). I did 20 minutes on the Gazelle, 15 push-ups, and the ring of fire (a
cycle of crunches). Yeah, I'd say the motivation from the buddy system worked.
So I was thinking about this wonderful method during my 20 minutes on the
Gazelle. Sometimes I can hold myself to doing things with the aide of
extraordinary willpower; needless to say, that's usually in short supply with
me. But when I've got someone else holding me to it, going through the same
thing I am, working toward the same goal I am, you can bet that will hold me to
my resolution.
But the buddy system is not just for implementing with diets and exercising
and other various health issues. What about spiritual issues? We've all got a
spirit, every one of us, and more likely than not that spirit is sorely out of
shape. So why not try the buddy system? Turn to your best friend and say,
"Listen, I've got to read my Bible more often. Will you make sure I read
everyday, and I'll make sure you do?" Or better yet, "Want to read with me
sometimes and talk about God?" Because fellowship is the coolest, but when you
combine that with a passionate pursuit of God, you have got something awesome
going on. Not only are you getting your spirits into shape, but you've got the
best personal trainer ever by your sides. Try it sometime.
*prayer requests*
~ that God will touch all of you, and turn that inspiration into the
motivation you need.
~ that everyone has a buddy they can turn to when they are in need
