Putting big goals on hold is kind of scary. At first. Then it becomes a very interesting experience. Taking focus off a single point in the future has allowed me to discover a myriad of small victories every day. I know it is possible to do both – work toward a large goal that is the culmination of many small victories – because I have in the past. When you let the big goal overwhelm you – it’s time to step back, take a breath, and redirect.
My big goal is still to run in a marathon – one day. My bigger goal is to rediscover all the milestones along the way, savor the joy in marking them; and do it with a fresh, curious mind. It is very easy for me to attach my identity and worth to a big goal – and a very dangerous thing to do. We are so much more than a single event. Another big goal is to be the best version of me that I can be. My bigger goal is to do that with joy, and blessing as many people as I can along the way.
This time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of activity, fretting about making the holidays ‘perfect’, and trying to please everyone. What if, instead of focusing just on Christmas day, we focused on smaller acts – like random acts of kindness – every day starting December 1. 25 days of bringing kindness and joy, or 1 day that may or may not be ‘perfect’? This is not to say that Christmas should be completely neglected. I am guessing that by focusing more on the small stuff, we will actually celebrate the true meaning of the season. Of course, we really aren’t limited to doing this for the Christmas season.
Feeling overwhelmed? Step back, expand your focus from the *big* goal to checking out the milestones that pave the path. Slow down, enjoy the journey, celebrate the milestones and yourself. Keep your big goal – unless it needs to be reevaluated or is not serving you any longer – but pay particular attention to the bigger goals – those milestones that pave your path.
Lert's Lessons in Grace 