Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Slowing Down for the Journey

Dearest Goddesses,

"Life is a journey, not a destination." I heard that on the radio the other day and for some reason it struck me. One of those things that you hear said all the time - and have probably said it to someone at one point or another. Of course it's not a destination, that would get boring after awhile! But as clear as it was to me that of course life isn't just a destination - of course it's all about the journey, I couldn't help but see how so much of my life is living impatiently inside of the journey, waiting (impatiently) until I get there, until I'm rich, smart enough, have enough experience, good enough, have published a book, and on and on and on. My ability to define my "impatience" was solidified by a horoscope that I subscribe to from www.dailyom.com:

Memorable Moments
Cancer Daily Horoscope

You may feel hyper and impatient today as you look about yourself and bemoan your apparent lack of progress. Whether your goals are personal or professional, you are likely focused on all you hope to achieve rather than on the steps you need to take to make your goals a reality. You may be devaluing your efforts in the present, however, by concentrating wholly on the future. This can be a wonderful time to stop and look around at your world as it exists right now. Your excitement about what is to come may be blinding you to the wonder of what already is. Endeavoring to live in the moment today will likely allow you to once again enjoy the many emotions and tasks associated with the present.

Impatience is easily quelled when we learn to appreciate how significant and special the individual moments of our lives can be. Often, we live for tomorrow, looking upon today as merely a tedious means to a more exciting end. This mode of thinking, however, robs us of the joy that can be found in life’s simple pleasures as well as in a well-performed task. When we endeavor to focus on the positive aspects of the immediate present, we begin to recognize the multifaceted benefits of living life at a slower pace. Though we may still look forward to the future with delight, we are more apt to make the most of the circumstances we find ourselves in at any given moment. You’ll value your dreams of the future much more today when you take pleasure in the present.

Regardless of where you are on the roller coaster of life - if you are at a high, or have just hit the bottom, or are somewhere in the middle - it's important to be able to take some time to smell the roses - depending on your stop on the roller coaster, the roses might look different (being able to enjoy a meal out in your neighborhood vs. enjoying a meal let's say on a fabulous vacation to France; being grateful for finding an extra $5 in your wallet just when you need it vs. your company stock just splitting.) Neither is better than the other, certainly I'd rather be in France than going out to the neighborhood Tico joint for some rice and beans, but if I'm ALWAYS focusing on what I'm not getting, then I'm all about the destination - and as we've all probably experienced in our lives - no destination is perfect after awhile.

Patty's Challenge: Take a break from trying to get there or impatiently wondering why you aren't there already, or if only I was there and honor where you're at - regardless of how messy, dirty, "no place like home", it just might be. Take a deep breath and let yourself be...

Love to you,
Patty

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