Simplify things and choose to move forward
When I was 18 years old, I got my first tattoo. What seemed like a “rebel move” at the time, was really only a small blurb on my left arm that took (maybe) 5 minutes to complete, reading: “Live Simply.”
Why? Good question.
That mantra really stuck out to me, for one reason or another, at such a young age. I believe that I’d seen Patagonia using “Live Simply” as a branding slogan on some of their apparel, and I loved it. The concept of “Living Simply” in a world that is ever-evolving into something far from simple – that’s a pretty novel idea, if you ask me. And so, I chose to tattoo the mantra onto my body, as a token of aspiration to a life simpler than that which society around me was aspiring to.
What I now understand, which I did not at 18, is that to live simply is not some far-fetched dream. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s a daily choice, one that we all have to make, and it begins with a mental quandary, going something like this: “Am I going to make more of this situation than what it deserves?” and “Is this within my control?”
Believe it or not, it all begins (and ends) there. What you choose to make of any given scenario, is what it will become. Plain and simple.
Your Own Limitations
What most people fail to understand (or blindly avoid) is that most of the “limits” that you believe to possess, mentally and physically, are self-imposed. Meaning, that your “finish-line” or the make-believe ceiling that lingers above, is imaginary – set in place by you.
In the world of motivational icons, one name tends to stand out above the rest: Jocko.
Jocko Willink is a former Navy SEAL Team officer who now spends his days as an author, public speaker and host of the Jocko Podcast. Willink is incredibly intelligent and well spoken, but quick to the point in all that he says and does. Why? Because, there is no need to complicate things. It’s simple.
In response to mental and physical toughness, and how to improve such attributes, Willink has this to say:
If you want to be tougher, be tougher.
To most, this seems atrociously ludicrous and flat out wrong. Unfortunately for the thoughts of the majority, Jocko is right.
There are many things that we cannot control in this life – where we are born / what we are born into, our physical features, our family, on and on the list of things by which we have no choice in. However, one thing that I can say for certain that is entirely within our control is this: the things we give our attention to. The things that we choose to implement into our lives.
Not Just Toughness
The brief quote from Jocko isn’t just about toughness – although it may seem that way – it carries over to so much more. It serves as a standard that he has set for himself, a standard that he had set for the soldiers for whom he served as an officer in the SEALS, and a standard that you could very well implement into your life.
Go ahead an insert a different word if you’d like;
If you want to be _____ , be ______
Examples: More informed, stronger, a better father/friend/husband, etc.
If you’re tired of your boss getting on you, do your job more effectively. Sick of feeling horrible all the time? Take the initiative to better your physical and mental well-being through exercise. If you feel degraded by someone who was once a friend, remove them from your daily life. I could ramble on for hours, but you get the idea.
In reflection upon my once infatuation with the idea of “living simply,” I realize that most of the life around us is simple at its core, if made to be so by your choices.
At the crux of it all, the words of Jocko ring true, and the concept of living simply correlates quite well. The basis of your self-improvement begins with you and you alone, simple as that. No matter how big or small you start, if you want to be better, be better. If a situation is out of your hands, allow it to remain out of your mind, and focus on what you can control. That choice is yours.
In the spirit of the topic of discussion – while I would love to dive head first – I digress, because, well, it doesn’t have to be so complicated.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read. If you enjoy my writing, you can subscribe to receive email updates using the form below!
Forged in Fire 
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