I want to start today off with a riddle:
“What is going on right now that hasn’t happened ever since the beginning of time, but is soon guaranteed to never ever happen again?”
Today.
I’ve been thinking a lot about “today” lately, and all of the memories that can get made in a day. It’s kind of cool to think that what happened today will never happen again…but also kind of scary.
I remember watching people of all shapes and sizes be 100% themselves at Camp Nerd Fitness, and remembering “I’ll never forget today.” It was awesome to watch people who stopped worrying about how they looked or what others thought, because they were surrounded by people that didn’t care either!
Everyone was just being excited to be a part of something special…it was pretty freaking cool. Fortunately, we have a few thousand photos that allow us to immortalize these moments.
Nothing summed up this thought more than during our Rubik’s Cube night (pictured above), when we all traded clothes to end up the same color…ending up in some pretty ridiculous outfits.
Most of us would have been embarrassed to be seen in such clothes while in public, but at Camp it was simply another opportunity to make an unforgettable memory.
Which brings me to today.
You see, over the dozens and dozens of epic success stories we’ve shared (and hundreds of smaller ones), we’ve noticed a few recurring themes with Rebels that have transformed themselves: they all struggled to find candid photos of themselves from the “before” stage!
Not only did they wish they had more “before” photos to share, but also they realized that those are days, memories, and moments that they don’t have documentation of, because they were embarrassed to get in front of the camera.
And when we talk with Rebels who are just started on their journey to a healthier life, they explain their subconscious, self-conscious behavior when it comes to photos – somehow avoiding photos and staying out of the way.
No matter where you are on your journey, I’m challenging you to be happy. Right now. Be proud of your life AND where you’re heading.
If you spend any time on the internet, you’re familiar with the hilarious, and inappropriate term “zero f***s given.” AKA…doing things without caring what other people think.
For example, how many f***s do you think this guy gives? I’d say zero:
Now, I’m not gonna tell you to take off your clothes and go dance alone in the field…unless that’s what you want to do.
What I’m saying is we spend sooooo much time thinking about what we look like, what other people think we look like, and how we appear to them that we forget to just freaking ENJOY TODAY.
Today is the only time ever that this moment will happen. We don’t get extra lives, we don’t get to replay on an easier difficulty, and we are only allowed to play the character that we’ve rolled.
Don’t forget, today is a pretty freaking awesome day. You woke up, which is more than 99.9% of people that have ever existed can say.
Take Louis CK’s words to heart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCcx45gyLOQ
“Most people are dead. Did you know that? It’s true, out of all the people that ever were, almost all of them are dead. There are wayyyy more dead people, and you’re all going to die. And then you’re going to be dead for WAY longer than you’re alive, like, that’s mostly what you’re ever going to be… You’re just dead people that didn’t die yet.”
Morbid? Yup. Hilarious? Absolutely. True? For sure. I don’t know what it is about death that often serves as a kick in the pants to get over the insignificant and start focusing on the important:
So you’re overweight and not where you want to be yet. Don’t hide from that camera. You’re alive and you’re actively working towards getting better! Fantastic. Don’t stress about what you can’t control, and don’t hide – give yourself the option to at least capture this memory. Enjoy the ride to a leveled up life – including this moment, right now.
So you don’t think you look great in photos now. Who cares!? Show me a supermodel and I’ll show you somebody who nitpicks over their flaws too. When you’re 80 you’ll look back and wish you had lived in the moment and had this memory documented. Don’t let this temporary feeling color your memory and enjoyment of today, because today ain’t happening again!
So you think you might look silly trying a new class or course or exercise at the gym. WHO CARES? Give less f***s! Everybody else in that class or at that gym will respect you for trying, or they’re idiots loaded with plenty of insecurities of their own. Don’t let them dictate your happiness; only you have that power – don’t give it away!
We’re all on our own personal journey to Mordor, hoping to get there and back again. We’re all at different points in the story too – people are in the depressing and sad parts, while others are riding on freaking eagles. That’s just how stories work!
Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that we get to continue that journey tomorrow. We’re characters in the story and we don’t have control over when it’s time to close the book. So, as Gandalf tells Frodo: “all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
Remember, you woke up today, which is a good start. Build on that.
Instead of worrying that you’re not yet where you want to be yet…be thankful for the opportunity to get closer.
Instead of complaining that the journey is long and challenging, be thankful for the humbling learning experience and wisdom that comes along with it.
And instead of shying away from the camera, get in front of the lens.
After all, it’s gonna be tough as hell to make a montage with only footage from the “after.” We need the before and during!
So, I’m declaring today Zero F***s Given Day!
In honor of ZFG Day, here’s a photo of me looking like a jackass from camp. I am wearing a blue dress, women’s tank top, a blue tie, a solo cup wrist band, and so on:
I’m 30 years old and struggle with plenty of issues and insecurities about myself. I’m self-conscious of my chicken legs, I still deal with acne on a regular basis, and I get incredibly anxious when surrounded by people I don’t know, and compare myself far too often to others in every aspect of my life.
If you met me at Camp, you witnessed none of this, as I truly felt at home and 100% comfortable and thus gave zero f***s.
So, I’m going to make an effort today to give less f***s and remind myself that life is pretty effing good, I’m a lucky guy, and today’s a great day to be alive. I’m actively working on a number of things to make myself better, and I have a long way to go, but I’m pretty damn happy that I get the chance to try.
How about you? What are you gonna do for ZFG Day?
-Steve
Today’s Rebel Hero: Becki Lee, pictured here after climbing a freaking mountain! Becki plans on submitting 40 peaks before she turns 40, which is an epic quest if I’ve ever heard one!
Want to be the next Rebel hero? Send a photo of you doing something epic in your NF gear to contact @ nerdfitness.com
