I have always known that progress is a value that is important to me, I get impatient and frustrated otherwise. I hated the idea of being stagnant, the not doing and moving towards anything really bothered me. Probably because I’m personality A, meaning that every minute is a minute that needs to be well spent. Over the years though I’ve taught myself how to be the turtle and not the hare, it’s been difficult but I’ve taught myself the practice of patience and pause. I’ve learned to take time to reflect and to not feel the need to always be on the move.
But I still struggle with the idea of being stagnant. Even if I take my time and pause, I still crave the need to make sure I’m progressing. Sometimes that looks like self care, sometimes it looks like taking action, sometimes it involves letting go on the yoga mat. It’s the act of chipping away at something that is important to me. This morning as I was reflecting on what progress really means to me and I realised that it’s not just about moving forward but rather digging deep too.
The opposite of being stagnant isn’t moving forward, it’s movement. So, when the pause requires you to stay still in your life and go in deep to see what you are carrying on the journey with you, that is still a form of movement; it just has a different tone and energy to it. Even though you’re not moving ‘forward’, you’re making deliberate decisions and choices on putting your attention onto something that is aligned with your purpose or goal. Sometimes that requires you to dig deep, recalibrate your thoughts, process the things you need, and plant the roots needed to take the next step that will move you forward when you’re ready.
Being able to articulate what progress means to me at this part of my journey has removed all pressures that my inner critic puts on me when I don’t get the outcomes that it has set out for me. I’m also making a deliberate choice of appreciating the little wins along the way, and recognising that you can’t wait until the end to celebrate your efforts. If you want to live in joy, you have to be present in the moment where the small daily wins are.
Love Always,
M
Souloom™ 