On mornings he didn't want to get up, Marcus argued with himself plainly: the flowers, the ants, the bees are all up doing their part, so why should he hang back from his? He didn't romanticize it. He just reminded himself that he was made to act, to contribute, not to stay bundled under the blankets avoiding life. This isn't hustle-culture pressure to grind yourself down. It's the simpler dignity of showing up for your day, doing the thing in front of you because it's yours to do. The reluctance is normal, everyone feels it. But you don't wait to feel like it. You begin, and very often the feeling follows the action rather than leading it.

Inspired by the old idea of rising to do your work. Written by Ugo Charles.