Journey #21

Often we put a whole heap of pressure on ourselves by setting really high goals and then driving ourselves to go even further.  For some very rare people, this can actually work, and they are so passionate or driven to achieve their target that all else becomes secondary. 

But for most humans, this driving of Self to extremes, can be detrimental to health and self-esteem, and for various reasons we kind of set ourselves up for failure.  A really good example is New Year Resolutions!  I suspect that there are very few people who have not set a goal at the start of a new year and have forgotten all about it by February other than a feeling of letting yourself down; of not being able to hold attention; of not lasting the course or however else you want to describe what you see as failure.

This happens right through life and I recently had this situation brought to my attention.  Something I had strived toward for many years, fell down around my ears and for a short while I sat in the energy of feeling like I was a failure.  Then I re-assessed.  Instead of looking at the ending of a dream; instead of feeling as if I had failed in achieving my expectations, I looked at the achievements that the Journey had brought to me.  I looked at how I now have the knowledge and skills to move forward in much smaller steps and in a different direction. 

My expectations are much lower, far more realistic for who I am, and as a result I feel far more equipped to take my task forward.  I have made my expectations into smaller steps that will eventually lead me to a higher goal. 

Achieving many small steps, and celebrating each one, will still take you to the top of the hill.  And not everyone is meant to climb a mountain.