Month: October 2022 (Page 3 of 4)

The definition of mysticism is: a vague speculation: a belief without sound basis.

I’m not sure about you, but by all indications of how I’ve lived my life and made choices in the past, I’ve used a mystic approach quite often. I’m not entirely sure that’s something I should be proud of or not.

Here’s why: Of course I have learned many things through direct experiences in the past that have given me the knowledge to be able to navigate my world more easily with less effort and the ability to avoid the pitfalls of the past mistakes. However, there are some tools I find myself using that are much less tangible. Like my instincts. Beliefs, following my gut and even speculation.

I’m not sure this is the best way to proceed, but there is some comfort in it for me.

What say you?

As it goes, there’s a maxim we hear over and over that say’s “everything in moderation.”

I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that for the average joe. However, I’m not sure you could say that to individual’s who are the best of the best in their field. Whether that’s a scientist to an artist to an athlete. These people have become the individual’s at the top of their field because they have brought love to their work, if not commitment, discipline, consistency and a whole lot of time.

There’s nothing wrong with doing anything in moderation, but let’s just be clear with our expectations of the results. There are times when we must burn the midnight oil and there are others when we need to shut it down.

For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. Input equals output. On and on. If we want to be moderate, so be it. It’s all good.

I’m not sure this is how I would want to be described. There’s nothing wrong with being born with natural talents and skill, but it can be a downfall if we choose to lean on it instead of putting in the work.

And it certainly doesn’t have to be one or the other. We can be blessed by being proficient in something and in addition be a person who has the drive and work ethic to continue to develop those skills in order to see how far we can go.

But often, we can find ourselves staying comfortable with where we are rather than pushing into the unknown. Another words, going soft.

There’s nothing wrong with that, just as long as we know where we stand and what we’re doing. Don’t be mistaken that your success has come from your tenacity and dedication to your craft, if you’re actually solely relying on your natural ability. I have seen too many people have a skill set for something at a very young age, only to ride that out without any extra effort and being passed by a much less talented kid who shows up every day and puts in the work.

Gifted is great. Grit is better.

Where’s our head? I suppose this is important. In fact, I know it’s important. Because if it’s in the toilet – that’s not going to help us.

Sometimes our thoughts (the negative ones) can get the best of us, creeping out from the dark edges of our minds and reeking havoc by mucking up the crystal clear waters of our perspective and sending us in a tailspin that can take time and effort getting out of.

Here’s an idea Jim: Don’t go down that rabbit hole. It’s a dead end and you know it. Sometimes I feel like I have to indulge myself – playing the role of the martyr and playing this scenario out.

However, the wise one within me knows there’s no benefits to this self-induced torture. What we focus on becomes our reality, therefore, we must all do what it takes to not get caught up in the less-than-positive wave of emotions and remind ourselves that this moment is only temporary.

Before we know it, the sun is going to peek out from behind those clouds and we can then begin again.

Lord knows we all have a critic in our head that seems to never shut up. I know I do. However, I also know the best way to keep him/her at bay: By moving forward and engage our fears by squaring up our shoulders and moving forward.

This has a two-fold effect for us: First of all, it keeps us from remaining stagnate. Procrastination can be one of our worst enemies. Secondly, it keeps that nagging voice in our head quiet, even for just a brief period of time.

Eventually, we may begin to hear a very faint voice in the background. A different tone. Encouraging us. Supporting us. When my youngest son was around 4-5 years old, we had a seat that attached to my bike right in front of me and behind the handle bars. As we rode around the our hilly neighborhood, I would ask him to encourage me as we climbed the steepest of hills. He would say, “you can do it Dad, I believe in you.” This was exactly the words I needed to hear in order to get to the top.

This is the voice I long to hear in my head. And we will. As long as we continue to move forward.