Life Is Not A Race To The Finish Line.

By Nadine Hickman

"Anxiety happens when you
think you have to figure out
everything all at once.
Breathe.
You’re strong.
You got this.
Take it day by day."
- Karen Salmansohn

Life is not a race to the finish line.

There are a few important messages in this thought of the week. Today we want to focus on the feeling of anxiety and overwhelm that are common symptoms of a life where we have endless options and choices.

Isn't it wonderful that we live in a country where we can be, do or have anything we want. This is exciting! But it can be overwhelming and can cause us to be forever living for the day when.... we achieve this, travel there, buy that...  rather than relishing the present moment.

FUTURE AMBITION / NOW APPRECIATION
It's so important to have dreams, goals, future hopes, to seek more, reach higher, to have ambition, never ending ideas, a wish list, desires... these drive us forward to live and grow, and to become all that we can be and live a fulfilling and rewarding life.

The flip side of this is being so future focused that we are not truly happy, grateful and present in the now. Finding this balance between future ambition and now appreciation is a really difficult balance to achieve. But if you do, this is where you will find real inner joy.

Here's an analogy that we heard from Abraham Hicks which sums this up nicely. Imagine standing at a restaurant buffet , with so many delicious things to choose from. Go ahead fill your plate and enjoy! But even if it were possible, would you want to eat all of the food you are going to consume for the rest of your life right then and there? Life is like this. Surely we want to experience the unfolding of it bit by bit, day by day, and savour every bite.

There's no hurry. You can do it all. But it doesn't have to be today, tomorrow or next week.

The exercise below will really help you to find this balance.

EXERCISE :  Awesome Things I Might Do One Day.

In the centre of a large sheet of paper write, "Awesome things I might do one day."

Brainstorm and record anything and everything you would love to do in all areas of your life... travel, career, business, family, learning, adventure... get it all down on paper.

The key thing to remember is that this is "Things I MIGHT do." Maybe you will do these things, maybe you won't. It's ok. The point is to write it down and feel excited about the prospect of these things, but also feel relaxed about them. Let go of any pressure to do it all. 

This is a work in progress.
Just like life, this brainstorm is a work in progress. The beauty of life is you can change your mind, your priorities can change. Don't cross anything off this list, remember it is just things you "might" do. But do continually add to it. Ideally leave it up on the wall in your bedroom where you'll see it everyday, or if it's private, tuck it in a drawer you use every day and get it out often. If a new desire comes to you add it to your ever evolving list. Just as life is ever evolving, so are your wishes, dreams, goals and desires. And THAT'S OK. You can change your mind as often as you like!

Remember the buffet of life is to be savoured bite by bite, don't full your plate with too much all at once, enjoy your ever evolving delicious journey. You don't have to figure it all out today. Take it day by day.

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