My wife and I have spent a lot of time really praying and seeking to get a glimpse of what God is calling our family (and next 4 generations) to look like. We definitely don’t have complete clarity on this yet, but we’ve got a few ideas.

Some of those ideas show up in our family values. Probably my favorite value we have as the Waldron family is: We do hard things, even when we don’t want to.

This value means a lot to me.

I often hear from people who see my life from a distance say “you’re so lucky” or “I wish I was x at your age.” And the truth is, I would say I am lucky and that God has had immense favor on my life.

It is God’s favor. It’s also obedience and diligence in doing difficult things when it would’ve been more satisfying to simply do nothing… or do something easier.

When you work hard, you get results. I’ve been often told that hard work, in the long run, beats raw talent every. single. time

The difference between working hard and simply being lucky is; one takes effort that often requires doing hard things you don’t want to do.

And when you do things you don’t want to do, your brain primarily activates the Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex (aMCC).

The aMCC is a fancy descriptor for the part of the brain that is responsible for exerting willpower and engaging in behaviors that require effort even when they are not desired.

Essentially, it’s the part of your brain that helps you push through discomfort to complete a task you’re avoiding at all costs.

Activating the aMCC (doing things you really don’t want to do, like taking [[So about my cold showers…|cold showers]] every day) is associated with several benefits:

  • Improved focus & tenacity (persistence in the face of challenges)

  • Better decision-making & conflict monitoring

  • Increased ability to integrate information from various brain systems

  • (source)

Pretty cool right?

I think so too.

So as I look ahead to our great, great grandchildren. I long to see a generation of men and women who do hard things, even when they don’t want to.

Not because we live in a hustle culture that prioritizes “the grind” over true balance in life.

But because when it really matters and real consequences are on the line — the Waldrons will always step up and boldly do what’s right, even if it’s hard and… even if they don’t want to.