I am a believer in the idea that there are no random or seemingly unrelated series of events. This time, it’s a recurring theme around goals. Several daily motivational videos from an online bootcamp, some instructional material from a website for coaches, online discussion from a wellness website, and discussions with a friend have contributed to some deep thoughts, and one great AHA moment last night. Talking on the phone with a friend this evening just reinforced the message.
Goals and dreams – gotta have ‘em, right? I believe that goals and dreams are important – they help us map out our journey, bring some direction and focus, and just generally put a glint in our eye. That is the upside. What about the downside? Letting yourself get caught up in a perpetual dreamer state – spending all your time dreaming about goals, thinking about them, and planning so they will be just right – and waiting for just the right time to start pursuing them. And, since it’s not just the right time for *that* dream, we better find another one for the interim. That right there is a vicious cycle all on it’s own. Once you get beyond the dreamer stage – and actually take the first step for one of those goals – there is the temptation to let it take over your entire life. Meanwhile – you’ve got 32 other goals that you identified while waiting to start this one? This is what I have done in the past. I wish someone would have had the kindness to point this out to me at the time (and yes, I did share a list of goals – maybe not 32 – but I came across the list the other day and laughed!) – but it’s good that I figured it out on my own.
It’s important to figure out if some of those dreams really belong to someone else. I found several that I didn’t recognize at first glance. Closer inspection suggests that they made it to the goal list because I thought they would please someone else (definitely not me!), or it was something that I ‘should’ do. That is a topic for a different discussion.
The AHA moment…looking at that old list, thinking about the crazy, insane dream that just lit my fire, and combining all those non-random messages this past week. As I was trying to fall asleep last night, God sent a huge GRACE fireball hurtling into my brain. I have been too busy looking at the forest and not seeing my trees. My *goals* (the big, hairy, scary ones “BHSGs”) have overshadowed – or more accurately – obliterated the journey. This quiet voice whispered gently that I should take my eyes off the distant horizon and focus on just this day – this hour – this moment. All I have to do is what I need to do today.
Instead of fretting about taking and passing the tests for getting an A&P license, I can focus on the joy of changing the oil in the plane and learning more about the airplane. Instead of fretting about THE BHSG, I just need to do what is required of me today. The race on Saturday – smiled my way through a humid, muggy, sweaty 5k today.
Instead of worrying about returning from our upcoming trip – in essence – planning the end before it has even started – I can focus on what needs to be done today. Although it’s especially true for dreams – being able to break things down into small, manageable steps and having the rock solid faith that they will get you where you need to be – such an important lesson to remember. I want to work on choosing to attack my BHSGs and my little goals the same way – one little bite at a time. Today was not a particularly stellar day in some respects. Technology was not cooperative, delays happened. In the most important way – today was a humongous win. I did my 5k, and congratulated myself for advancing that journey. After that, it was easy to break down my other stuff into small, manageable bites. I am headed for bed with a good feeling that I made progress in a forward fashion. The forest is still there, but I am stopping to enjoy looking at my trees! All it requires is an occasional glance to confirm that we’re still in the right forest.
HUGE grace lesson – self-compassion, compassion towards others, and so much less tension.
#phoenix, #soulfire, #now, #thismoment, #ufy, #foe
Lert's Lessons in Grace 