How Much Energy Does It Take To Move Forward? –

I don’t know too much about physics, but moving forward, I would believe, causes a lot of energy to be exerted.

This morning, I was looking for a black shirt so I could get ready to head to the gym. I had been so blessed to wake up and see another day, and to be thankful and praying to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was thanking the Lord for waking me up, for the blessings, and for the gift of the present of life.

I made my way downstairs to grab a cup of coffee and sit down to watch the world news. As I sat there looking, I saw that the world is full of events, and I became more aware of life and how precious it is.

The Body Has to Move

As the coffee kicked in, my body started waking up, and I knew it was time to get my legs moving so I could feel even better.

I got on my stationary bike to get my legs warmed up and ready for the day. I set my feet in the pedals. Sometimes I strap in and sometimes I don’t, but today I decided to strap in. Get the strap.

I was at a stagnant point because I hadn’t started yet, so I began to tell my brain to push—telling my brain to tell my legs to push so I could gain some momentum and begin this cycling.

The First Four Minutes

It’s always the first four minutes that are tough. Those first four minutes were tough from the standpoint of just wanting to go back to sleep. I wanted to crawl back into bed, but like Jeezy said, “You better drink a red bull, you can’t sleep on life.”

As my legs moved against the resistance of 12 on the stationary bike—a resistance I hadn’t been at in a couple of weeks—I reminded myself that I was here, today.

The first four minutes were not enjoyable, but time and time again, after I have done this, I know that after the five-minute mark, it becomes better.

Momentum Changes Everything

I get my breathing down. I adjust more in my seat. I look up and say, “Alright, I’ll get five minutes.” What’s another five minutes?

Another five minutes goes by, and now I’m at 10 minutes. At this point, my RPMs go from 55 to a steady 70—70 to 72—and I ride it out.

Now it’s time for me to get ready.

The Shirt I Wasn’t Expecting

I go to my closet to look for a black shirt, which is my attire all the time—black pants, black shoes, black shirt. I’m looking for a specific type of black shirt, a dry-fit shirt, and I come across one that has my cousin’s son’s name on it.

It’s a well-known brand. It wasn’t a name that I got spray-painted on a shirt or anything like that. And immediately, I begin having flashbacks to the night my cousin passed and that whole ordeal.

I remember sitting in the waiting room at the hospital as family members came in—shocked—and viewing the body in the other room.

I had his son sitting on my lap with headphones on to block out all the screaming and wailing he was enduring from family members in shock at that time.

This was my first time seeing this little kid in probably three or four years—pretty much since his first birthday. He is an exact replica of his father.

Everything that transpired after that night is just pure insanity.

Two Years Later

In April, it will be two years since my cousin passed, and his absence is still felt. Deeply felt.

I think about his kids—his children—and my own relationship with him.

For the past two years, things have been challenging. I tried to move forward. I made several efforts and failed. But I got back up and kept trying, over and over again.

It takes so much momentum to move forward.

Standing Still Hurts Too

So I’m standing in my closet, holding this black shirt with his son’s name—Champion—on it, and I lost it this morning.

I busted out in tears just thinking about the entire situation.

Fact is, I, my family hasn’t physically seen him all of 2025. The absence of Champ brings Shuns passing and his absence full circle as well as the emotions.

Hence the emotional breakdown of looking at a shirt.

Stagnation vs. Force

Even though I don’t know a lot about physics, I do understand this: stagnation leads to nothing.

Just like on the bike, when I told my brain to tell my legs to push, it required energy. It required effort. It required a decision.

There was force behind that decision.

The Force That Moves Me

Being stagnant emotionally because of trauma—I now understand that I have to move forward.

And the force that pushes me forward is Jesus Christ.

I have to pray daily to help me move forward because this has been very challenging.

But I know once I get going—once I make it past those first four to five minutes—things will be okay.

It’s not as bad as those first four minutes. It gets better.

It takes energy to move forward. It takes a thought to move forward.

Life Keeps Moving

Physics works the way it works—and life works the same way.

It’s the same thing in our fitness journey and in life. We have to move forward.

I have to move forward in this journey of life because it’s been almost two years, and life is still continuing—for the world and for me.

Being Present Means Moving

It’s all a gift to be present.

Being present means moving forward.

Making it to the gym was tough this morning. I almost canceled, but my clients inspired me. They hold me accountable.

They make sure I honor my word for the services I provide.

Working out has always helped me move forward.

Don’t Stop Moving

Getting my body to move helps my life move.

Don’t stop. Keep moving.

I encourage you to keep moving forward.

Faith Is My Foundation

It may not be easy initially, but as you build momentum, it will get better.

The force behind my movement is prayer—giving thanks to Jesus Christ when I wake up and recognizing the gift of the present moment.

Victory Through Christ

No, I’m not perfect. But I’m working on getting better.

And part of getting better is moving forward the best way I know how.

I have the victory through Christ Jesus. As long as I keep Jesus as the head of my life, I will be undefeated.