What Is Black Friday
For those of you outside the U.S. (or anyone just emerging from a 20 year coma) Black Friday is the annual attempt by big box retailers to turn a holiday intended to celebrate all we should be thankful for, into a mad dash of pissed off soccer moms and suburbanites elbowing each other; trampling kids in an attempt to save 30% off something they don’t need. That is b.s.
Say No Go
It’s high time for a rebellion. I’m getting together with my brother and a couple of other guys on Black Friday to train in my garagegym. Not to show how hardcore we are, but as a celebration of the fact that we are ABLE to train, as an expression of thanks that we get to use our bodies in an activity we enjoy. It’s a rejection of the idea that I need to abandon my family after eating my face full and go stand in line for hours just to get pissed off that somebody else got the last whatever that does something that will be obsolete in six months.
I’m putting it out there that everybody who wants to rebel, not go shopping that day. Instead spend time with family and then at some point, get a training session in, by yourself if necessary, wearing all Black. Doesn’t have to be lifting; can be anything exercise related. Want to max out on push ups and post a pic? Go for it. Hill sprints? Do it. Go for an AMRAP on deads? Do it.
But John
I’m sure somebody’s going to point out that since I don’t have a storefront, not shopping on Black Friday won’t hurt me. Whatever. You’re telling me that I’m not tempted to let the coupons and discount codes roll so that people who are at home are drawn to my site to shop while they’re coming out of a food coma? Really? That’s what you think? That a recently started small business in need of capital isn’t jumping at every chance to get more customers? Keep thinking that.
As I was saying
If anybody asks you why you’re doing this, the day after Thanksgiving, tell them you’re sending a message to your kids that taking care of yourself is more important than more junk to clutter up your house, that you’re lifting to celebrate your gratitude that you have working arms and legs or simply to be grateful that you’re alive when so many others didn’t survive from last November to this one.
This isn’t limited to the U.S. either, anybody can do it, anywhere in the world because we all need to celebrate the simple joy of being alive and I can’t think of any better way to do that than to use your body in a way that our Creator intended them to be used. Moving. Just be sure to wear all black to train and record it in some way then share it with the world with the hashtag #blackfridayoptout.
Time to join the rebellion.
