Recently I was reminded that it is much easier to move with the flow than push against the current. If you deny the universe, it has a way of forcing you back on the path. On to your path.
Sometimes with subtlety, and sometimes with significant hardship. It is better to accept the path that presents itself, when it first arises, rather than try and force yourself down paths not meant for you.
The trouble is, it’s not always easy to know which path to take.
Someone told me recently that it is a matter of ease. I don’t know if that’s quite accurate, only owing to its simplicity. There are probably instances where difficult paths are exactly where you should be. But still, how did you know?
You must look for clues. It takes a lot of intention and attention. Knowing what to look for.
Does this difficulty seem worth it? Does the struggle pay off? Yes, the effort does pay off in the end. When you persevere, you can find the answers you seek. This process of searching for clues leads to greater insights and understanding.
And then, is the payoff closer to where you want it to be?
A lot of this requires goal setting, and being brutally honest with yourself. Sometimes, often, in fact, we do things because we want to please others. It’s striking how few of us live our most authentic selves.
We must be able to recognize these behaviors and make conscious choices to prioritize our needs and desires. We need to be brave and take risks, and understand that failure is part of the process. We must learn to trust ourselves and our own judgment, and to be comfortable in our own skin. We need to be able to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, and use them to our advantage. Finally, we must learn to be open to new ideas and possibilities, and to challenge ourselves to reach new heights.
When navigating life, declining the options that enrich you exhaust your supply. Your supply of time, energy, decision capital, and maybe capital capital. No one wants to waste time on things that don’t make their lives better.
But we do. We focus on the wrong things and end up spending time and resources on things that don’t bring us joy or fulfillment. We have to be mindful of our decisions and make sure that we are only investing in what truly matters to us. Learning to say “no” is a key skill to ensure that our resources are well-spent.
Only then can we start living in a way that aligns with who we’re supposed to be.
Michael's Musings 