Thread: Excuses

Anyone can make excuses; it’s easy. We all do it. Maybe we don’t want to go some where we have been invited, or don’t feel like going to work. Therefore we devise an excuse; sometimes we even believe it ourselves. We need justification, so we create it.

I have made excuses my whole life. When my shot at a promotion was derailed by someone who had better skills than I did, I found every excuse in the book as to why I deserved that job over him. I believed the excuses, but my boss didn’t. I quit my job, and moved on. I didn’t want to work for a company that didn’t appreciate my skills.

I have always been a dreamer. I knew I was going to be someone special. I knew that people would look at me and say there goes a great man. I was going to be a boxer, a professional baseball player, an actor, the President of the United States, and a famous writer. I was serious about every one of them until some little barrier would present itself. I would formulate my excuse, and move on to the next big dream.

I know I am not alone in this kind behavior. In fact, this time of year is when health clubs start to notice that members are not coming as often as they were. New years resolutions are a few weeks old, and people start to rationalize that they need to tutor their nephew, or visit a sick aunt instead of going to the gym.

For two months now I have been on a very strict diet. I have been eating only healthy foods. I try to eat only organic when I can. I have abstained from red meat, beer, pizza, coffee, sweets, and potato chips. I eat a lot of spinach salads topped with salmon. My sweet tooth is satisfied with blueberries, and cherries. To go along with my change of diet I have been on the treadmill, running, almost every night. My determination has allowed me to lose twenty pounds. I feel great; better than I have in a number of years.

My determination has not been without inspiration. I didn’t see a commercial on television, and decide this year I am going to get healthy. My motivation comes from the fact that my doctors have told me that they can’t cure my cancer. In fact, two of them have told me I need to consider hormone therapy, making sure to point out that it is not a cure, but may possibly slow down the spread of the cancer. Oh yeah, and it will cause severe weight gain, depression, mood swings, and I will grow breasts. I asked my doctor who is, so I have been told, world renowned in hormone therapy for some kind of study that proves there is a benefit to the treatment. She told me that she couldn’t provide any. I then proceeded to tell her that, from what I have read, hormone therapy is highly controversial. She told me, “Stop reading so much.” She then cut our meeting short, and told me to come back in 6 weeks. I don’t really know her, and I know I shouldn’t, but I despise her.

There was another thing I read, and it is what has helped me eliminate excuses from my life. There are studies that say that someone facing incurable cancer can prolong their life expectancy by 30%, or more, with intense exercise along with supercharging their immune system.

So, as you can see, there is no excuse good enough to keep me off the treadmill. I will start my three-mile run in a few minutes. I will be soaked with sweat by the time I finish, and then I will lift some weights. I already had my spinach salad with salmon on top, and later I will have some cherries. I will get to bed early, so I can get a good night sleep before I have to get up for work in the morning.

Excuses, the ones I tell myself anyway, won’t work anymore. If, and when, the cancer decides to start spreading, it better be one bad-assed case because I intend on making things as difficult for it as I can. After I kick cancer’s ass the “famous writer” thing is next.

You're right Closet, we all make them. From the smallest to the largest, from one a year to three hundred sixty-five a year, no one is immune, unfortunately. I've heard it said many times that people make time for the things they want to do and excuses for the things they don't, and I believe that pretty much nails it. The more determined of us, however, see through this invisible ruse and do what needs to be done. You are one of them, and I'm amazed at your determination in light of this enemy you're doing battle with. No need for pep talks, you're light years ahead of the talkers.

Btw what's with that female? She sounds like one of the old-school God Complex doctors who just want you to nod & say "Yes doctor." You would think she'd be tripping over herself with joy to provide you with the study. Most doctors are grateful when their patients are educated patients.


The only sentence that tripped me up was

I asked my doctor who is, so I have been told, world renowned in hormone therapy for some kind of study that proves there is a benefit to the treatment.

Try this:

I asked my doctor who is - so I have been told - world renowned in hormone therapy, for some kind of study that proves there is a benefit to the treatment.

If general consensus is fine with it then leave it.

Write on.

CFFTB -- thanks for the feedback; I agree with you on the wording. As for your description of the doctor -- I agree with you 100%. She seemed very arrogant, and almost wouldn't let me get a word in as she rambled on. I wanted to ask questions, and she just kept saying, "Hold on." When I did state my concerns, she appeared insulted. I must add, however, the next time I was at the hospital I spoke with a Nurse Practitioner. Her beeper kept going off, and she refused to look at it. She showed a great deal of respect and compassion for me and my concerns. She was focused, and gave my wife and I all of her time we needed. I respect her much more than that doctor.

Heavy stuff CW,

I found every excuse in the book

How about I used up every reason in the book.

I know it's against the rules, but on a personal note I am sad to read of your troubles. If only... but life is full of if onlys.
I wish you well in your endeavours.

Bazz... thanks for the feedback, and for your concern about my health issues. It seems as it has been ages since I have posted anything. I have not been inspired to write for a while, but that is okay because it means that I am living life, and not dwelling on my situation.

My next appointment is in the middle of April. I don't know what to expect. I have been feeling some soreness, but I don't know if it is from the cancer, or due to the fact that I have been much more active physically. Since prostate cancer usually spreads to the bones I play a game of tug-of-war with my emotions every time I feel any kind of soreness. I will convince myself that it is the cancer starting to spread, then I feel down in the dumps. I snap back out of the funk by getting mad, and telling myself that if it is the cancer, so be it. I can handle whatever comes my way, and I will not waste my time feeling sorry for myself. I have too much to live for. This approach has worked pretty well. Right now I am focused on staying healthy, so that I can see my son get married the end of this month, and then taking my wife on a cruise (she has always wanted to go on one, so I want to make that dream come true for her).

Thanks for commenting - it gave me a reason to write something.

Dave (ClosetWriter)

Some people push themselves through most of their education on excuses.