I started this year with a bang – meditating, working out, and expanding my mind and self-beliefs daily. (Actually, I started last year, because once you make a decision to BE something, you just do it right then).
So I’ve been feeling great. Better than ever.
But then Monday happened…
I slept in late. My schedule went sideways. I kicked off a new work project and didn’t work out until late in the evening.
Tuesday, I could barely keep my eyes open.
Eek!! My perfectly planned schedule of self-actualization was slipping through my fingers!
Cue the self-destructive thoughts (have you had these too??):
“You’ll never be enough”
“You don’t have what it takes to follow through”
“You might as well quit and eat this entire fatty/sugary mess of food…”
Um, no.
Course correct – I’m more committed than ever.
Because skipping a day or doubting yourself aren’t the reasons you don’t reach your goals or follow through on your plans.
It’s making those mean something other than what they are: an opportunity to recommit to yourself and your desire.
In Zen Budhism, the concept is called joriki. It’s the muscle & strength you build when you continually bring your awareness back to the breath after it wanders.
Because – let’s face it – it’s going to wander!.
You’re going to have ‘bad’ days, distractions, interruptions, and plans that go haywire. That is LIFE.
So it’s not about perfectly achieving your desire.
It’s not about checking the box every day and marveling at your perfect progress.
It’s about checking that box after fighting with your resistance all.day.long because you didn’t want to do it.
It’s about marveling at your progress because you kept at it, even when you didn’t feel like it.
It’s about who you become in the process, not what you get at the end of it.
Growth is not linear.
You will waiver and wander.
But wandering and returning with more strength and commitment is the point.
So be gentle on yourself for going through the natural pattern of growing.
Notice when you’re off and come back to your chosen focus.
Joriki.
You build strength by continually coming back, not by never wandering in the first place.