Begin Now, It’s A Long Road

“Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.” – William James

Achieving a goal, making a change or completing a transition is gradual. It’s not (anything) like flipping a light switch.

Sometimes it may seem like all of a sudden things are different, but such is an illusion. There may be a decisive event that is a shock or creates a sharp contrast, but anything is long in the making.

Seeing this truth and making best use of the “precursor time” that is afforded to us all is one of the keys to an excellent life.

Two best practices are: 1) be clear about what you want (and what you won’t abide… ) and 2) be aware of each moment and how they are indeed creating your future.

Similar Posts

  • The Difference Between Afraid and Recognizing Danger

    Fear’s useless. Either something bad happens or it doesn’t: If it doesn’t, you’ve wasted time being afraid, and if it does, you’ve wasted time that you could have spent sharpening your weapons. – Sarah Brennan There’s a difference between fear/being-scared and recognizing danger. *** What’s more, in a meta sense, the ability to notice and…

  • Be. Grateful.

    He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. – Epictetus One of the most powerful things I’ve ever done is start, and continue – no matter what – a gratitude practice. Every day I write down five things I’m grateful for….

  • Making A Living Or A Life?

    Are you making a “living” with some life thrown in here-and-there, when possible? Or, are you making a “life,” with some work thrown in? *  *  * I understand that I might be mis-stating the proportions a bit, but the point is worth considering. *  *  * When we “make a living,” at least in…

  • Choose Fear

    Every time we choose safety, we reinforce fear. – Cheri Huber Huh? Has Matt gone mad!? Nope, just wanted to get your attention. Now that, I hope, I have it, I’ll make my point. When we choose the safe and known over what we fear (and “fear” includes: merely being uncomfortable, a little anxious, a…

  • The Nature of Desires

    Aren’t desires bad? Don’t desires lead to suffering? Isn’t that what Buddha would say? If I recall, Buddha would say that cravings and attachments lead to suffering. Desires are a natural part of life. Properly understood* desires are healthy. Authentic** desires are healthy. *  *  * * To properly understand your desires you must know yourself,…

  • What People Want From Leaders*

    Trustworthy. Respectable. Admirable. *  *  * Leadership, more than anything, is a personal relationship between leader and led. It’s not a hierarchical relationship, where one person has power and the other none. Sure, a leader must be technically savvy and proficient, s/he must know “the business,” but at its core, its most fundamental, leadership is…