Comfort is the greatest enemy of commitment. Comfort is a nicely padded, silk lined, pine box that lulls us off to sleep, forever.

One may think they are committed to health, but the comfort of fatty food or the couch whispers a lullaby. One may say they want to be financially free yet the soft sheets are so comfortable they drag out of bed. Some even fool themselves into the idea that they are committed to a wonderful relationship, but it’s just too uncomfortable to do something nice for their spouse even when they don’t feel like it.

Where is comfort slowly killing you? We American’s are addicted to our comforts. TV, credit cards, playing small. We want a comfortable life so we can drift off to sleep.

Champions love getting uncomfortable. They go to the places that are uncomfortable on purpose. Maybe it’s making that call that’s been too uncomfortable. Maybe it’s having that important conversation with your lover you hoped would just fix itself (it won’t). Maybe it’s starting an exercise routine or meditating (that would really be uncomfortable).

Where have you snuggled into comfort and lost your commitment? Diving into your discomfort is the surest way to discover your true freedom, love, and peace.

We can ask ourselves: “Is this an addiction or a commitment?” The US is a culture of addictions. Fatty food, cigarettes, alcohol, TV,  anger, separation. Not that any of these are wrong. They just become addictions. This is why we are so in awe of someone with commitment. Take Tiger Woods for example. His commitment to being the best golfer inspires our very soul. What if we could be the committed ANYWHERE in our lives? Then, we are crushed when he has an addiction. It means he is just like the rest of us. We get to sit back down on the couch and play small. Addictions or commitments.

Use the power of your individual commitment to be free. Be honest and ask if your moods, your comfort, and odd little habits are honestly an addiction. The first step to breaking addiction is OWNERSHIP. What we own, what we admit, no longer has power over us. We saw Tiger take this bold step last week. He took full responsibility in a public press conference and said no one, even his wife, is to blame. It seems now he is committed to healing, rather succumbing to addiction. But our ego mind hopes he fails so we can continue to indulge in our own addictions.

Commitment is a form of ownership. Addiction is a lack thereof. The world is waiting for people that are committed. The world is waiting for you! Start today with a small commitment and notice your freedom rise.

“But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money–booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
          Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
          Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!”

from W. H. Murray in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition, 1951

This is another great example of The Secret, The Law of Attraction. Murray found that just getting clear on his vision was the first step. The key was commitment. Bonding completely with his vision, by purchasing his ticket, opened the universe to support his aim.

Providence: a manifestation of divine care or direction; the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth.

“I’m committed to heaven on earth.”

Successful and happy people are always leaving clues. Just today, when rollerblading at the beach, I stopped for a piña colada and opened a magazine left on the table. There was Lance Armstrong’s coach saying, when Lance told me he wanted to return to Tour de France again, the coach was concerned. Lance said, “I’m 100% committed.”

What are you committed to? What’s the one ideal you are absolutely committed to?

“I submit to you that if a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”  ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The key word here is “willing”. It’s not saying you “must” die while doing something. That’s an addiction to struggle. “Willing” to die is about commitment. Commitment means “to put together”. It means that nothing will separate you.

If you are a parent, are you willing to die for your children to be healthy? Really? Would you give your life? Are you committed to your spouse? Are you committed to your own health? Is there an ideal that you would die for? For MLK, it was brotherhood.

What dies really is your comfort. Are you willing to give up some of your comfort to truly be free?

What are you committed to in you life? Ponder this question today and discover your freedom.