Last month’s Blog and Newsletter was about taking small steps. I wanted to connect and expand on the notion of taking steps along our life path, our journey if you will, while accepting and investing where we are at on that path.
It doesn’t matter where you are today
First, it is vital that no matter which step you are currently taking, waiting to take, or deciding if you should even take it; you must accept where you are at in the process. There is no need to hate where you are, expect that you should be somewhere else, or regret a previous step.
The past has already happened, and the future has not happened yet, so, all you have is right here and right now – the step you are in. Accept that place within your journey, accept that step, accept where you are.
This stance keeps you very present in the moment you are in, relieves the stress of “what-ifs” and “shoulds” of the future, and keeps your focus on the step you are currently taking. That step needs all your energy, time, and resources. Do not waste those things, rather accept the fact that you are doing the best you can in the step you are taking.
You are where you are at, doing the best you can, and being the best you that you can right now. And if you can not say one of those things is true of you, well maybe you now know which step you want to work on next
Process Over Outcomes
Second, the outcome is not as important as the process, so invest in the process. Invest in the small step. You are right where you need to be in the journey.
All your steps have brought you here, and here is the only place you can be right now. Focusing on a future that has not happened yet may make you miss out on the beauty of the journey to get there. Do not miss out on the present because you are focused on the past, the future, or the end destination; the truth is there is never an end goal in this life journey.
We will always be traveling.
The saying that “life is about the journey not about the destination” rings true here. We will always be in a process, always in a present moment, always on a journey.
Invest in those things to genuinely enjoy the steps you take in this life no matter where they may end up taking you.
Balance Being with Doing
So, if we can accept and invest in the process of our life journey, we can enjoy the path we are on. Balancing that “being” (accepting) and “doing” (investing) will make our journey of life more about living not arriving.
It is not always going to be an easy road as it will be filled with heartache, difficulties, and loss. But without that, we cannot gain love, peace, and joy as well.
Oliver Goldsmith said that “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” May we accept and invest in that journey!
