Hold your horses

Are you in a big rush? I don't necessarily mean in a day-to-day, "oh-no-I'm-late-for-work" kind of way - what about your life goals? Whether you think of them as goals or not, you are guided by ideas of what you think is going to make you happy or fulfill you. You may think, for example, that the key to bliss and fulfillment is finally finding Mr./Mrs. Right, buying a new car, getting that promotion, or finally losing that weight; and you may be partly right! It is important, after all, to have a sense of purpose for being in the world. Goals give us a focus, a reason to get up in the morning. The problem lies, however, in placing such utmost importance on these ideals that we don't enjoy the process we must go through to attain them.

If we obsess about getting in shape, for example, we may not take real pleasure in the actual working out or jogging we need to do to get buff. If we're in a hurry to get married, we don't relish the delicious beginning of a romantic relationship - we're too busy wondering if s/he's going to be THE ONE, and evaluating his/her characteristics before the relationship even has a chance to naturally develop. Being in a hurry can actually backfire and reduce the chances of achieving a "goal" - like driving away that potential partner or giving up in frustration when you don't instantly reach the top at work. It can also result in severe disappointment, if you eventually discover that the aspiration you were in such a panic to reach isn't all you thought it would be. The secret, then, is to keep aspiring for all you dream of, but remind yourself from time to time to enjoy the ride!

by T.L. Scribe