Under hostile circumstances, insisting on conquest or accomplishment only means draining resources and damaging later chances of success. Turning back, disengaging, pausing, reconsidering, may look like failure, or like giving up, but it is only for now.
It is not brave or noble to risk everything when the chances of success are minimal and there is much too loose.
In such circumstances, withdrawing is the most favorable outcome. It shows respect for what has been accomplished so far, it supports loyalty. It is honourable to refrain from unnecessary sacrifice.
The power in numbers drive us to gather more in, until this expansion comes at the expense of the integrity of what is already acquired.
Then time only, the organic strengthening of bonds and influence will expose us to new opportunities, until the ones that have an actual chance of actualising surface.
Those endeavours we choose to engage in with others require concerted efforts.
When disagreement, fear and diverging agendas pull the group apart, all sides are weakened, and less likely to achieve what they are advocating for.
For each in the group, it means choosing to rally to the collective effort that is almost sure to succeed over what we believe is a better objective that we can’t reach alone.
Keeping our options open is good as long as we haven’t made a choice. Then when we choose, we want to be able to course-correct and change our mind - or our bearings - to adjust to what comes next.
But for those things we know for certain, that we commit to, the goal is to set ourselves up for the long run, that our ‘non-negotiable’s stand firm in the storm, that what is meant to stay is set to endure.
If we can’t charge ahead, we regroup and change the plan.
We can’t just stand there in limbo, as if it means something. All it shows is hesitation and turmoil over not moving forth. With one foot going forward and the other backward, we stand still.
The better option is to enact the decision by rallying our crew towards the safer, steadier, more nurturing option, and get everyone to work.
Headway tends to invite acceleration.
Once we know we're on the right track, we want to close the deal, claim the conquest, enjoy our power. But this turns earned rewards into a hostile take-over. It only takes away some of our merit, if not compromises our progress entirely.
Letting our wins land, or ripple out to full effect, will consolidate our advances more effectively than any push.
Few things can harm us more than loyalty to a faulty plan. When things don’t work out as intended, changing approach is the brave and right thing to do, it is not weak or inconsistent.
Without the permission to adjust or change our plan, undertaking anything at all is bound to be a punishing experience.
The ability to course-correct is integral to freedom, to faith, to growth. It is a thriving skill.
What we move away from is a dot on the map. On that same map are other dots, one of which we are moving to.
Withdrawing is not fleeing; it isn’t a pointless, blind endeavour.
The point is that we move away from harm in favour of moving towards nurture.
As a conscious choice, this movement is informed by a liking, a hope, a connection to something greater or more inspiring.
Retreat
Distancing