12 hours ago

More in playlist jawharp
By playing the jaw harp and immersing ourselves in the inner cosmos, we connect with more than just angels. There are plenty of demons within, too.

Today, let's take a closer look at one of them. Its name is laziness.

Discovering laziness within yourself is a great stroke of luck. I am deeply convinced that becoming familiar with laziness is far more productive than endlessly trying to convince yourself it doesn't exist.

But then comes a choice: what to do?

In the first case, "I'm lazy" may sound like a manifesto. As in, "I'm lazy," and that's it. This is who I am, and the seven of you can accept me. Well, free will hasn't been abolished, and that's also a choice. But in this case, laziness will gradually slow down progress. The feeling of joy that once accompanied the game will fade, and the jaw harp will take its place of honor on the shelf with other unachieved results.

In the second case, the struggle with laziness begins. Its main support is interest. If something works, then each subsequent encounter with the jaw harp will bring more and more joy, peace, and a feeling of "I can do it."

I'll share my experience of dancing with laziness. I do three strength training sessions a week, and each time I feel lazy. During the workout itself, with each new movement and approach, laziness is right there, insistently whispering, "Enough." But I train largely to maintain my skill at fighting laziness.

If I can overcome it today, I can do it tomorrow. If I've overcome it twice, I'll be able to do it a third and fourth time. Then enthusiasm begins to glimmer on the horizon.

It turns out that if I can overcome laziness, I can do things that previously seemed impossible to me simply because I was too lazy to start them. I just need to keep going.

Gradually, it becomes interesting. It's nice to feel my own subjectivity and the feeling of "I can." My inner "general" transforms from a wizened, dusty nihilist into a sensible and competent manager. His campaigns and projects become ever more ambitious. My inner "soldier" stops running around in circles, mired in deep internal conflict, and simply gets things done. That's why the "general" blossoms.

To get something done, you have to do, do, do. And then something truly amazing emerges, something the wizened "soldier" and the pompous "general" never noticed: passion. Passion gives energy. Energy, sapping from within, sometimes mercilessly crushes laziness, not even giving it a chance to express itself. A stable positive feedback loop emerges, and most importantly: state of mind.

Life is much more pleasant in such a state! I'm speaking nonsense, these are inappropriate words. Life in such a state is incredible! The system of patching up psychological holes with snacks, YouTube, couch procrastination, home delivery, and other "benefits" seems pathetic and depressing.

I don't want to go there at all. It stinks of hell. Having been there many times, you realize that it's hard to escape, and every little indulgence in laziness is a stepping stone there. Brrr. No.

I'd rather be on the move. I like it better that way.

So, laziness remains. It doesn't disappear. But it serves as a reliable signpost for me on the path to Oblomovism. If I spot it, I move in the opposite direction. It's pure joy.

Exactly the same principles can be applied to the jaw harp. A hobby is a gift from above. It's a space for development and the acquisition of agency in your decisions. A place where you're not forced, but where you learn to motivate yourself. It's an outlet and a personal place of power. How wonderful it is when things get better and better! You never tire of enjoying it. Every good session with the jaw harp leaves a deep imprint on your soul. It brightens the everyday routine. And the more you practice, the brighter these brightens.

I don't know about you, but I find it depressing to trade that for laziness. This game always has silly prizes.

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