It has taken me a while to bring myself to this. Last month I looked at the benefit of understanding our passions in making solid steps forward along the path of our decisions. Now, my passions seem insignificant in the face of the unfolding atrocities we are witnessing in Eastern Europe. Now, I find little energy for walking along the path of personal growth when my fellow humans are being bombed out of their homes and fleeing for their lives.
As I look up from my own path I realise how connected our paths are to the surrounding environment. We do not walk alone even though our path is certainly personal and unique to us. We walk within the context of our own choices and also the wider context of other people’s choices. Sometimes these choices bring a surprising benefit to us, as we come to a crossroads, and see a new path that we hadn’t thought possible or weren’t even aware of. At other times, the crossroads brings an overwhelming sense of powerlessness and paralysis as we face unbearably difficult circumstances.
In my journey I have discovered the benefit of taking baby steps of progress even if I felt a hesitation or a lack of motivation for some reason. Procrastination and feet-dragging all provide an interesting insight into what we truly value and how we are motivated. So for instance if I have set myself to walk along the path and then find I am stuck even though I want to walk down the path, instead of berating myself for not making better progress, I choose to unpack the reasons why I’m stuck.
Sometimes our progress is hampered by something internal like our own beliefs about what is possible, our level of commitment to the task or realising that our heart prefers another path. However, when the path takes us into a difficult and perhaps hostile environment it is expected that we wouldn’t just keep walking like ’business as usual’. If our progress is threatened by external circumstances or by pain; that requires our immediate attention. We naturally slow down as we assess the changes.
As I walk along the path on my transformational journey it is essential that I have adequate walking equipment. I want a pair of good solid shoes that fit well. My clothes must also fit me well and provide protection and be comfortable. I want to carry confidence to read the signs, expertise to manage a variety of terrain and perhaps crucially an understanding of my limitations and when it is necessary to ‘pull over’.
I have noticed that when we experience some resistance either internal or external, it is a tricky balance to know whether it is best to persevere on the path or to pause and take stock. Perhaps when the sun is shining, the path is smooth and even, and I am fully equipped on my happy adventure, then any internal resistance can be assessed, challenged and reframed. But when there is a sudden and unexpected change in the weather, a storm, a fallen tree to navigate, or perhaps even other travellers on their own paths who knowingly or unknowingly break your stride; then there is wisdom in taking a break. This external resistance may take longer before we are recalibrated but if we keep walking there is a high chance that we sustain more damage in the long run. Questions asked at the crossroads of unexpected or overwhelming circumstances are crucial to our longevity and quality of the journey ahead, as we move from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Perhaps I may even choose to walk along another path for a while so as to regain some energy for my main journey.
Having given myself some space, I can now better understand my plummeting motivation for the journey. Instead of pushing on, I take time, I reflect and importantly, I rest. After all, if I pause for a while and look at the view, am I not still on my journey? I can remain true to my authentic self and know there is integrity in not battling through clashing values while I rest and recuperate from the storms of the journey. Yes, I set my face to reach a particular destination, but it is a deeper value of mine to reach there intact, whole and healed. If it takes longer, so be it.
So ask yourself – What is my particular walking equipment for my own unique journey? What do I need? And what do I need in a season of overwhelm? Support? Rest? Permission to rest? Chocolate? Don’t be tempted to make comparisons with others. Ask yourself what YOU need and be kind to yourself to make sure you get it!
If you would like to explore this further in a coaching context please contact Anna at digdeepdreambig@gmail.com
