Duvet Diving vs. Showing Up

For the past several days, I have felt puny.  Not sick enough to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head and retreat from the world, but a slight feeling of sickness. The last few days when my body has ached and I have not wanted to get out of bed, I have been considering the issue that is at the heart of walking through times where I don't feel "maximum."

I have a dear friend who has a lyme disease. Now I don't know much about it but what I do know is that he may not feel "maximum" for many years. Yet there is my friend, week in and week out, showing up for his family, his business and his community. He is the bastion of dependability. I can rely on his word of when he will be there, regardless of how he feels. I have learned so much from watching him.

I was challenged a short while ago when my friend described to me what it was like to live with something that may "zap" you of your energy any given day.

To contrast my friend, I have been accused, in the past, of being a wimp when it comes to being sick. To add a more full confession, I am inconsistent when I then require nerves of steel when my wife feels the slightest sense of dis-ease.

What is the Character Matter?

The issue for me is one of dependability versus inconsistency.

If dependability is fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice. Being inconsistent is more about having my feelings dictate my actions.

Feeling sick lately has caused me to acknowledge how much my actions have depended on my feelings rather than fulfilling my responsibilities even if it means sacrificing personal comfort.

How can we live our lives so we are not so dominated by how we feel? At the same time being willing to be aware of when your body needs rest?

Where does the Character Matter?
The Character Matters when I accept a responsibility and I show up to do it regardless of how I feel. My Character Matters when I don't have to tell other people how I am feeling if I don't feel my best. The deeper Character Matter is being known for my consistency in my actions rather than being known for wearing my heart and my feelings on my sleeve for all to hear.

So, what do you do when you are not feeling great? Or even feeling sub-par? What do you do with your commitments? This week I have been challenged to fulfill my commitments and show up to the best of my ability despite my feelings.