If I ran the world, I’d probably ban the word “lazy”.
Because, it is a term that’s rarely relevant.
In fact, I’m starting to realize I’ve never met a lazy person.
And, it’s not okay, under any circumstances, to call anyone “lazy”.
Because, it’s just not true.
It simply gives us permission to ignore the root cause of poor performance or a lack of “results”.
Is anyone really lazy? No.
Depressed?
Maybe.
Confused?
Stuck?
Frustrated?
Overwhelmed?
Probably.
Overworked? Underappreciated? And underpaid?
Most likely.
But lazy?
Definitely not.
When folks are caught between difficult circumstances, trapped between dreams and imposed expectations, or asked to do the impossible… these things from the outside might look like laziness.
If you give someone contradicting information, hazy instructions, or extremely high stakes, you might leave them paralyzed. But, paralysis is not laziness.
When people are trying to find their way, when they are doubting their abilities, when they are asking life’s biggest questions, when they are navigating the roughest of questions… using the word “lazy” at a time like that can leave gaping wounds that take a long time to heal.
“Lazy” is not the answer.
“Lazy” is a weapon we use against one another to make ourselves feel more hard-working, more dedicated, more industrious, and more valuable.
It’s a way to feel superior, and better than.
“Lazy” keeps us separate from one another.
Even worse, we sometimes use the word “lazy” to describe ourselves. We use it to beat ourselves up for not doing more, being more, or having more. Instead of getting to the bottom of our struggle, we slap the “lazy” label on ourselves and wonder if we just might not have what it takes to succeed.
The use of the word “lazy” is a copout. It’s a way to generalize the problem and absolve oneself of any responsibility to find a solution.
Maybe using the word “lazy” is lazy… a way to keep ourselves from doing the real work.
Because, the moment we give up the word “lazy” is the moment the investigation begins into what is really going on.
When we see what appears to be laziness around us, it’s a signal that it’s time to strap in, to grab our gear, and prepare to do some digging.
Because lazy is an illusion… a very convincing illusion that keeps us from discovering the truth about what really holds us back as humans.
The only acceptable use of the word is in a positive context.
“A lazy Sunday morning.”
“A lazy, rainy day on the couch with tea and a good book.”
Because, this kind of lazy also means joyful, relaxed, un-rushed, and peaceful.
This kind of lazy implies that you’re looking around your world, soaking up every drop of goodness, and resting your soul.
That’s a lazy I can get on board with.
That’s the kind of lazy we could all use a little more of.
So, from now on, that’s the only use of the word “lazy” that I’ll accept.
