Boundless laziness

The human capacity for laziness is amazing. Isn't it? Really. We are inherently lazy in ways over which we have direct and indirect control. It's the people who rise above that laziness which we tend to admire ... usually while sitting on the couch holding our favorite ultra-fattening beverage.

Think about it, we start off at a physiological disadvantage, don't we? If someone goes to the gym and works and works and works and builds layer upon layer of undeniably hot muscle, we admire that person, don't we? Do we all go out and do the same? Generally not. But, think about that same person if they were to stop going to the gym? Even if it was an involuntary stoppage, what happens to their beautiful muscles? Natural laziness; the muscle deflates, the blood goes other places and the strength is eventually lost as fat starts to fill in the vacated space. Is it because the person wants that? No, s/he can't help it, that is just how it works.

Mentally it is the same way. I was a music major in college. I spent a very large portion of my life-to-date studying and immersing myself in music. I forged millions of neural pathways in the practice rooms, in the books, etc. Seven years later, after not studying for so long, would I be able to do/remember all of those things? No. Okay, maybe some of it, but definitely not all. Why? Because the body is lazy. I would have to jumpstart those neurons to get them pumping again.

And then there is the conscious laziness. It is the worst of all, and manifests itself in the most annoying ways. Apathy over where the trash lands, inconsiderate placement of the grocery shopping cart when one is only twenty feet from the cart return bin, endless hours of television and games ... all of those things are leading indicators of our expanding waistlines and vanishing cultural uniqueness.

I had a moment of laziness yesterday, but I caught it in time. It was habitual more than anything else. When I got to the gym parking lot yesterday evening it was a little packed. I saw two people leaving, both of whom were walking to cars fairly close to the door. I was excited about close parking! So, these two apparent buddies started talking next to their cars. I was a little annoyed because I wanted to get inside, so I turned on my blinker to signal they should expedite their conversation. Of course, they didn't. At the same moment that I started becoming very annoyed, it hit me; I'm at the GYM to WORK OUT and am now angry because I can't park close to the door. Really? So, I laughed at myself as I backed up the car, parked really far away and hiked that extra 200 feet to go in.