A Period of Appreciation
Go, go, go. That’s me, always on the move.
Sometimes I need to relax and appreciate what I’ve done instead of rapidly moving on to the next thing; I have to consciously tell myself to stop and enjoy “A Period of Appreciation.”
This is a fun quip we say in our home to buy my husband time in between projects. I pat him on the back for a job well done, appreciate the hard work, and enjoy whatever he created or fixed. I apply the same thinking to other domains of life like spiritual and emotional growth, healthy changes in relationships, parenting, clean eating, and exercise.
When I’m not progressing as quickly as I would like, I sit and consider the positive change I’ve made. I acknowledge and appreciate the effort and stamina it took to get this far, and this thinking holds me over until it’s time to raise the bar. While relishing in this peaceful space, I take the opportunity to contemplate why I need to be in constant striving mode.
Is it ever enough? Will I ever be enough?
The answer to these questions come to me when I slow down and gift myself a moment of quiet meditation. I remind myself that my worth and self-appreciation are not determined by how many achievements I rack up. I need this time to just be, witness my self-worth, feel my self-love, and honor the core of who I am. Once these stones are in place, the foundation is set to move on to the next venture. This period of appreciation is vital for future success. If I skip this self-reflection and do not reup my sense of goodness, I charge forward in a desperate attempt to achieve in order to prove my worth to myself and others. This pathetic energy, the one reeking of ego, most likely will not produce the desired result.
Take your time. You don’t have to push yourself.
Allow your pilot light of motivation to smolder when it needs to. The glowing flame within sometimes needs to fester for a while to catch fire with genuine vigor. Your soul will tell you when it’s time to move on from a plateau, when it’s time for more growth or success. Your job during this time is to love yourself and to listen to your inner voice—to trust yourself.
You’ll be back in action when the time is right.
