One thing is for sure, this has been an interesting year thus far jam packed with life lessons I've been learning from the comfort of my home. It would be easy to discount this year as we did with 2020, but bottom line, life goes on. Every day there are new mercies...why? Because there will always be new issues, new problems and ultimately new experiences and truths to discover.
I'm going to share with you 4 truths I have discovered in the past few months and hope you come the same realizations I did.
1. You can only do your best and let God do the rest.
In reality, there is very little we can control in our own will. From relationships, finances, health and business; we can only do our best by being compassionate, working hard, eating healthy and using wisdom but outcomes do not always meet our expectations and that is okay. Whatever you can control, do so and understand that God has the final say.
This was a very frustrating concept for me to understand for a long time. By nature, I am a perfectionist; I desire things a certain way and am harsh on myself when it doesn't work out. But when I let go of the illusion of perfection I was given peace. Perceived lack of control does not mean you are weak, it means there is room for grace.
2. You don't need motivation, you need discipline.
The fickle thing about motivation is that you will constantly need it. It is a good starter but will not sustain you long term. Discipline is the bridge between your goals and your accomplishments; it is the ability to control your feelings and overcome your weaknesses. Ultimately, it is the pursuit of what is right despite temptations to abandon it.
To be real with you, at the end of May I decided to do something called 75Hard where although it seems solely physical, it is a psychological battle. There are 5 main pillars to follow for 75 days: drink a gallon of water, stick to a diet with no cheat meals or alcohol, read 10 pages a day, workout 2x a day for 45mins and one workout must be outdoors and take a progress picture. This may not sound so bad, but let me tell you...I'm only a week in and my initial motivation to tone has left me and I am only left with sure willpower waking up in the morning and completing my 2nd workout after work.
If you want something, you need to work for it. Push, remember your 'why', surpass your mental block and complete your goals.
3. Time is a currency we don't get back.
The days, weeks, months, years are flying by and time is worth more than ever. You can work 14 hours days and be making bank, but if the market crashes, what is your dollar now worth?
I remember ringing in the new year, sleeping away the Family Day long weekend, April Fools' and the fireworks from Victoria Day, and now here we are a week into June. I've learned how important it is to use every day I have, make every day count. Yes, there is a time to rest but there is also a time to work. There is a time to build and time to tear down. There is a time to cry and a time to laugh.
Use the time you have wisely, bargain with it, and rest in it because it is valuable and limited.
4. Self-care is a requirement, not an option.
We often become so engrossed in our lives, namely relationships, schooling, finances and business that we neglect ourselves, causing burn-out and fatigue. The reality is, the only person you will spend the most time with is yourself. So have you checked in lately? Have you been anxious lately? Angry? Frustrated? Are your finances suffering? Your spiritual life? Your relationships?
It is vital we prioritize and promote our mental wellbeing, whatever that looks like to you. It can be small moments of mindfulness or huge breakthroughs at therapy, it can be an intense hour at the gym or a quiet moment with a book. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so learn your triggers and refuel yourself daily.
What other truths have you learned recently? Comment below.
The truth hurts but you don't have to.
1 comment
This is definitely the mid year recap we need💃🏽 Great points and I can totally relate. This was lovely!