Daily Life

Three-Day Monk

One of my favorite phrases in Japanese is mikka bozu, literally a three-day monk, and it’s a term used to describe the length that most people can maintain their resolve. I’ve got to admit to being an archetypical example of the concept.

Having accumulated a huge spare tire and found an exciting new job following a tumultuous few years, I was full of determination to achieve lofty goals when the new year rolled around just two days ago.

I’ve set exercise goals to lose weight and live healthier, in addition to setting professional targets to make the most of the opportunity I’ve been presented. All my objectives are centered around daily persistence. But this morning was bloody freezing and I found it hard to drag myself out from under the covers. With a family gathering planned later in the day, my resolutions were wavering. Fortunately, I eventually managed to get out, albeit with less enthusiasm than I probably needed.