Last week I was blogging about bringing forth the best version of yourself at the moment, for the moment, knowing that it will be different from moment to moment. This week, I am expounding on that thought with a twist.
What if the "best" version of yourself was brutally honest? What if the "best" version of yourself for the moment looked like slowing down and taking a well-deserved break? Is that an acceptable thought and action, to not be striving all the time to lose weight, exercise more, eat more veggies, get more rest, plan balanced meals and snacks, be kind to everyone, etc.?. The answer, of course, is yes. It is absolutely ok to thoughtfully consider your circumstances and realize that just holding on is good enough, and that IS honest, courageous and mindful. That also might be a relief.
It is not realistic to think that striving for more at all times is a way of life. That robs us of the present moment, which is when change happens. Even if the change we are talking about is intentionally taking a break from striving. It is exhausting to go through life thinking we are never measuring up, that we could always do more and that we are failing if we aren't pushing it. This is not to say we don't have our standards. This is to point out the fruitlessness of never being satisfied.
Yes, this health coach is all about identifying smart goals, establishing action plans, holding accountability, reassessing goals, and moving forward. However, there are times in everyone's life where taking a pause that refreshes happens to be the next right thing. If you have been working really hard at weight loss or with a fitness program, and you have achieved some success and made some realizations, and your life circumstances are far too demanding to do anything more, then taking a break from the ferocious striving might give you more space in your mind to enjoy what you have?
There will always be goals in life, to do lists, things to read, work to be done, projects to be tackled. That is part of life; that is not life. Life is waking up every day to something new. Life is where your interests lie, your people, your talents, your hobbies, your treasures. Life is what you choose to pay attention to. Life is what you choose to place intention behind. Life is what is happening now. Yesterday is life's history. Tomorrow is life's mystery. Today is life's present.
This week, take note of how much energy you have to give to your pursuits. Consider how much "gas" you have in your "me tank" to make your life happen the way you'd like. Take note if you are putting square pegs in round holes and coming up frustrated. A sure sign to shift course. Take note if you are in a position to push it. Then let whatever answers come up give you direction. Let the answers that bubble up to the surface lead you to the next right thing.
A pause that refreshes is just as worthwhile as a hard push to a finish line.
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