Cheryl Strayed’s book Tiny Beautiful Things stands out in my collection as an odd purchase. Ryan Holiday, a modern-day Stoic, led me to it when he repeatedly referenced this quote from the book:
“You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt.
You have an obligation to play the hell out of the cards you’re holding.”
If you buy the book, be prepared to read a series of advice columns written to a person named “Sugar” in which people ask about love, life, sex, relationship, and financial advice – many of life’s problems we all experience.
How does this relate to your fitness?
I hear people all the time complain how they can’t do things because of some ailment. It’s always something, even when we set up an exercise to remove or reduce their issues.
Let’s say you somehow tweaked your knee. Does that mean your other leg, both arms, and your core can’t do anything either?
At the same time, I also work with people who quietly go about their training, work hard with a smile on their face (most of the time), display a neutral attitude, yet you’d have no idea the physical obstacles they are dealing with every day.
The quote highlights two important points:
- We do not get to choose our circumstances. Life can be unfair, there are setbacks, and we all have moments when we wish things could be different. Your knee hurts from squatting? Then do more hinging variations.
- Instead of complaining about what’s wrong, which gets you nowhere, you have an obligation to take advantage of everything you do have. Instead of complaining about the shoulder that’s been bothering you for weeks or months, schedule an appointment with a physical therapist and take action on making it feel better.
We could also apply this quote beyond the gym and strength training applying it to life:
- Alright, you don’t move as well as someone else. Got it. Move on. What CAN you do? Someone got upset last week because they couldn’t do a new exercise the first time they tried it. With everything new that you try, you’re going to have more chances, so accept where you’re at, learn, and move forward.
- We talk about purpose and its relationship with goals. Purpose isn’t found in the things we wish we had. Purpose is revealed by taking action with what we do have.
- Instead of playing the victim, take control by putting in the effort required to do the thing you want to achieve. This will help you find meaning behind what you want and what you do.
The quote is great because it’s a powerful reminder that life can’t possibly go according to our ideal plan. You’re obligated to do what you can with what you’ve been given.
Reframing your circumstances can provide purpose and meaning to any adult who wants to be more active, stronger, and move more freely. Instead of feeling wronged by your current situation or circumstances, shift focus from what you lack to what you possess.