Getting through it VS Being IN it
DOING THE THINGS ...
One of the things I think about a lot is the difference between going through something & being in it….
And the more aware I've become of the difference, the more I am recognising that it can take me a lot of real, conscious intention to do the latter.
So I've been REALLY trying to BE IN the moment or the thing or the feeling a lot more over the past year.
Why?
Because Here & Now is LITERALLY all there is.
I'm still dipping in & out of Conor Creighton's book “The Truth About Love" after reading it last year & (as painful as it is to liste to my own work) I recently listened back to the podcast we recorded together ...
CLICK HERE to listen to the episode on Spotify!
I've been thinking about something he said during our conversation over & over again:
“The only happiness that’s available to you is the happiness that’s right here now.“
So coming back to going through something VS being in it… there’s huge importance in finding the balance between these two.
On the one hand it's satisfying and motivating to tick off another workout session & or something on your task list & to feel like you're making progress towards something meaningful...
But on the other there's a risk that by fixating on some future end point our focus is drawn away from the process itself, & away from being right there in the moment.
It's not just workouts or running or fitness where this happens.
Many people 'get through' the week so they can reach the weekend (I'm now been a firm believer that Monday is the best day of the week— but it definitely hasn’t always been that way for me!)
And it's the same for any goal that requires effort & time to accomplish, or that is difficult or unpleasant or tedious to complete or work toward.
BUT if we're always focused on the future we miss the moment we're in right now.
And this is LITERALLY all we ever have, all we can ever do, or work with or control or ENJOY is right HERE right now.
*BLINK* & the moment is gone.
And again.
And it’s gone... kinda terrifying when you think about how illusive and fleeting your life really is. Isn't it?
I've tried to bring the same principles & message into my day to day life more to stay in the present & it’s been working so well to keep me focused on on what I am doing & what I NEED to be doing right now — and to actually get better and BEING PRESENT & learning to enjoy the practice & the process rather than just the product or outcome.
Yes it's great to see your fitness improving & ticking off another of your workouts, but simply trying to get to the end is to miss the point.
Fitness & health isn't something you have, it's something you use.
Fit and healthy are things that you ARE. It's a WAY of BEING.
Much like happiness is not an end goal, it's a by-product of a life well-lived.
So when you're in the middle of a tough workout or run or whatever you're doing that's causing you discomfort & making you sweat, keep in mind that right then in that moment you're doing it.
No matter what you're working towards, this will always be true but you have to be intentional about leaning in & deciding to be there rather than simply counting down the minutes, the reps, or the tasks until it ends.
(I guarantee the quality of your work, your workout, your focus, results, life & how you FEEL will all improve.)
Questions to take into the rest of your week:
How can I thrive & feel more in the moment instead of feeling overwhelmed?
How can I look ahead with more excitement, & an abundance of energy?
How can I connect more with my family and friends? And how can I find more joy in each day?
Remember:
Well-being is realised by small steps. It's important to have goals but once you've outlined your goals & made your clear plan of action... forget about the outcome & focus on the process, the practice, & making a little progress every day.
If you need help with a plan, & guidance & accountability too - click the link below & let’s make it happen!
Love & light,
Laura