There are so many avenues to take with a title like this. Think about it. So many people say they do something or don’t do something because of [fill in the blank], when the reality is that it’s because of something else.

For example, I want to do the Dave Ramsey thing — get out of debt and stay that way. I’ve probably said “Dave Ramsey” too much and have turned my husband off of him. So, I’m not saying anything right now. It’s in my long-term goals, but I want to win the war even if I lose a few battles. I’ve asked him to do the whole Dave thing, and he “doesn’t like Dave Ramsey.” I’ve asked him why and his answer is that Dave doesn’t like any debt, and sometimes debt is necessary — for instance, med school costs a lot of money, and most people couldn’t go without a student loan of some sort (unless they came from a wealthy family).

But that’s his excuse, not his reason (imho). His reason is that the Dave Ramsey program is too hard. He doesn’t want to cut expenses that much, and “live on beans and rice, rice and beans.” He wants to out-earn our wants, but I know that can’t happen. You can always find something to spend your money on.

On another blog, someone wrote that the father of her child has told her that if he didn’t have to pay child support, if it wasn’t something forced on him, then he’d be more involved in their child’s life. Bull. That’s his excuse, not his reason. She’s toying with the idea of letting him out of his obligation, so that he won’t have that excuse any more. But that’s the funny thing about excuses — if you don’t have one, you can always come up with another.

If you don’t work-out, it’s almost never because you literally don’t have enough time. It’s because you choose not to make the time to work out. (The only exception I can think of is if you literally are working or sleeping 24/7.) But if I have time to get on the computer for half an hour, or even for 5 minute segments, I have time to do a work-out video, or at least some crunches or leg lifts or something. Something. Anything.

A broken leg is a reason not to go for a walk. “It’s cold” is merely an excuse.