Few moments in life are actually momentous.
Reaching the memorable, fulfilling landmarks in our lives involves mostly tedious and persistent work - keeping ourselves healthy, doing the footwork, paying our bills, watering the plants, refining our skills... or more metaphorically, filling the canvas one touch of paint at a time until the picture is recognisable to the eye.
Until then, forebodings and external circumstances are no cause for concern or a change of course, we only need to do our part with humility and care.
Others may not see, support or approve, they also happen to not be in our way, and it is on us to keep at it until we have something to offer for them to join, follow or accept.
We don't know what shapes us or how exactly we fit in the whole, but if we try to be true, we will feel guided and find our way to contribute.
Little by little, our showing up knits a fabric we can't quite see yet, but we know all is asked of us is to follow that thread patiently until more is revealed.
The opinions and pressures of the world give us an picture of what things ‘should’ be. Yet more often than not, things can’t be what they should, and we can’t do what we’re under the impression we should.
When we connect to what we can right now, what our circumstances and inspirations allow, however far removed from the should’s, and set our self in motion, we do progress and grow. There is no going wrong when we follow our heart, gut, life impulse.
Our point of balance, the source of our inspiration, the core of our belonging, is what holds us and allows us to keep going.
When we operate from the periphery, the need to compensate for the imbalance blurs our judgement, saps our energy, and constantly requires of us more than we can give of our own accord.
Moving from our centre is a condition for expansion and growth, and sustainability is found in moving our centre, or moving back to it.
The arts of longevity and excellence rest on an understanding of long-term balance.
We cannot go far if we burn ourselves in a mad rush, obsess over one aspect of our life at the expense of all others, and fail to nurture and ensure continuous refuelling of our energy, dedication and purpose.
Striving to maintain and expand 360° self-care keeps our wheel turning, our support loyal and our self genuine and available.
Detailed mundane practice maybe mechanical, it also is how inspiration flows.
When the meditative quality of repetition takes over, when ease of mastery liberates gestures and ideas, the commitment to action soothes the anxiety and pain of blind progress.
While we don't know how far we've come and how much further we need to go, we trust in the value of showing up to the task until more is revealed.
Achievements are not limited to the material and intellectual realms, they include emotional bonds, intimacy, partnerships.
As we practice being ourselves with others, we shape our self, or relationships, and the other’s sense of who they are.
Excellence here is defined by the depth and tightness of loyalty, mutual respect and acceptance - All earned through consistent genuine mindfulness of others.
With repetition comes automation, a disconnect from the present.
When we loose track of why we do what we do, let up on care and focus, we dissolve the worth of our actions. We are no longer patient and persistent, we are killing time.
Of course, the closer we are to fulfilment, the loudest impatience or boredom knock at our door, but neither rushing, forcing events, or numbing ourselves through the next stretch will hurry or improve the outcome.
Small Taming
The taming power of the small
Raising small beasts