Take 3

I know we started out telling life as I knew it from the beginning. Soon we will prepare to continue our journey back down memory lane, however acknowledging the present it’s remarkable to consider how much can change in just four years.

The last time I truly connected with all of you feels like a lifetime ago, and yet, in the grand tapestry of life, those four years can shift our experiences in unexpected ways. Change isn't always synonymous with loss or decline, sometimes it's about growth, resilience, and the subtle redefinitions of our paths. While certain aspects of our lives may remain unchanged, others flourish or transform into something entirely different, enriching the narrative of who we are and what we strive for.

Reflecting on this evolution makes me think about a quote I recently encountered: "Slowly is the quickest way to success." It resonates deeply, urging us to embrace patience in our journeys rather than rushing headlong into immediate results. As I am saying this I'm sure there are many who like myself have a good job with good pay, are good at many things and have passions. We are people who feel a burst of inspiration at moments thinking how to make the impossible possible. Really striving to live the dream. This feeling lasts for a little then back to the day to day again. You know exactly why this happens.... Instant gratification. We don't necessarily see the change we are making because we see other success around us moving what seems like at warp speed. Then I heard the quote and it shifted my thought gears and realized I was making progress , small wins and had not taken the time to grasp them and hold on tight. This was my first “mindset reset” moment.

Additionally, we look at failures first. Isn’t it odd that natural human behavior is to focus on the one thing that didn’t work out taking the light off of everything else positive. There are a million quotes about this however if we do not break this cycle then we stay stuck in the quicksand. For me the fix was simple. I have to get rid of the “F” word FAILURE and replace it with lesson. It was my second “mindset reset” moment. Moving in this direction removed the negative energy and thought pattern. At this point, I’m reframing it sometimes with reflection and other times seeing feedback. All of this is with time. One of my favorite Peloton instructors then laid this on me during a class, she said “Grow through what you’re going through” and just like that "mindset reset” moment number three. Can you imagine the type of weight lifted once you get the hang of this? As long as we remember to remind ourselves that growth isn't linear and that each step no matter how small and no matter how slow contributes to our journey there is no way to go but up!

Often, we find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of progress and deadlines, yet true achievement comes from the steady cultivation of our goals and relationships with ourselves. This concept encourages us to take a breath, savor the moments, and acknowledge that the paths we take slow and meandering are all part of a larger story. So, as we look back together, let’s celebrate the changes, both big and small, and recognize how they’ve shaped us along the way.

You will most certainly emerge from this more attuned to your values and aspirations.

Reflect on this and I will catch up again with you all on the next one.