I have a big but. So big, it gets in the way of things. I sit on the couch, on my big but, thinking about things that I could do.

It’s a beautiful day, I could take a walk, BUT I’m too tired.
I could clean the house, BUT I don’t feel like it.
I could write something, BUT I don’t feel inspired.

Even on the yoga mat.
I would like to hold myself up in crow for more than a millisecond, BUT I just can’t seem to do it.
I would like to do a handstand in the middle of the room, BUT I can’t.

My big BUT is usually followed by some sort of rationalization.
I would run, BUT I can’t get up in the morning.
I would stop eating bread BUT I just can’t do it.
I would teach some yoga workshops, BUT what about my family’s schedules?
I would publish a book BUT I don’t have the time.
I would get another job, BUT I think it’s too risky.
I would make lifestyle changes, BUT it’s just too hard for me.

Even small things have big BUTS.
I would put my iPhone down when people are around, BUT it’s a habit I can’t break.
I would grocery shop according to my conscience BUT that would be really hard work.

That’s bullshit. It’s all bullshit.   If you really wanted to, you would just do it.   So, stop saying you want things, stop saying you woulda coulda or shoulda. Don’t even talk about it unless you are going to get up off of your big BUT and try it.

The truth is, if I really wanted to hold my crow pose, or do a handstand in the middle of the room, I could. All it would take is daily practice. I know that, but I don’t do it. So maybe I don’t really want to.

If I wanted to make lifestyle changes, like giving up bread, I could.  I have done it before.  Now my BUT has gotten in the way again.  So maybe I don’t want to do it.

Or maybe it’s time to take a good look at my big BUT, and let it know that this behavior is unacceptable.
I think I will.
In fact, I will.   No buts about it.

What about you?  What are you not doing because of your big, unacceptable BUT?

I would ___________ BUT I can’t/won’t/don’t because ______________.

Your BUT is just a big excuse. (Illness and injuries excluded)

Get up offa that thing.