The god of gains demands sacrifice; loves it and feeds on it. So it's not enough to squat and it's not enough to do push ups or frolic gaily around the gym, like this--oh wee, how fun. No! We need to give more than that and the only way to do so is through intention and intensity and loud, quivering yells. We must be willing to have our spirit tried.  Oh, wonderful, you're thinking. Pat's off his medication again. Actually, jokes on you. It's a triple dose. Sacrifice is signified by suffering. If you aren't feeling the hurt, you aren't making it count. Don't expect to grow. This is true in the gym, career-wise, as well as spiritually. You need to put in the time and the effort and skin. You won't get better at anything unless you get better at giving yourself over, offering yourself up--in a word, sacrificing. So, here's my challenge to you, sweet pigeon: What sacrifice are YOU making today to your physical life, your family life, your spiritual life, and your cat Sharon? How are YOU going out of your way and what are you leaving behind in order to improve and love Sharon?  Think about it. Just not for too long. Because thinking about a sacrifice isn't what feeds Sharon, or gets you to press the next size heavier bells, or whatever. You need to actually make one. Go!