The Joy of the Journey

I invite you to recall a time when you arrived at a much sought-after goal or destination. Perhaps a graduation, a first date, winning a contest of some type, the first day on your new job, your marriage, the birth of your child, or walking into your first new home. Now, for a moment, allow yourself to enjoy the feelings you experienced at that moment and relish your arrival at your dream destination.

You may recall how fleeting the joy was in your celebration as you fixed your sights on the bull's eye of your next experience after you completed your graduation, after that first date, after winning that contest, after getting that job, after your wedding, after the birth of your child or after moving into your new house.

Lasting joy is always in the journey. The arrival is celebrating the work that went into the journey. So, what good are arrivals? They're brief and only exist in our memory. They are a few widely spaced moments that are profound in some way. Indeed, the assassination of President Kennedy is memorable (among those who joined in the national grief of his death), the moon landing, the many tragedies involved with the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, and, indeed, the recent death of Jimmy Carter. But those events may be insignificant to many other people.

Your graduation was only a blip to you and maybe your family. What are you striving so hard to arrive at now? Making more money? A different position? A new car? Larger house or some other material possession? How will your life be different when you arrive there? Are you enjoying the work you're doing now so you can make it to that dream of yours? Or do you hate what you're doing now to arrive at that destination? Winning a race results in a few minutes of celebration and congratulations in front of a camera. Even winning the championship of a series is fleeting.

Setting records or winning a medal is often bittersweet because it seldom changes the work and sacrifice that went into the victory. You might think, "Gosh, Coach, you make all this sound so dreary. Isn't there something about arriving that's wonderful? What's your point in all this?"

Think about your enjoyment in doing the necessary work to reach your goal. Now, if you're like most people, that good feeling lasts far longer, is felt more often, and gives you far more satisfaction than the feelings of actual arrival. Live in the moment so you fully enjoy each moment. Plus, the knowledge and wisdom you gained on the journey feeds your soul and enhances your life.

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Waiting to begin celebrating your big win detracts from this moment and belittles the victory when it finally arrives. Let your body get used to relishing life moment-by-moment so that when one of those dreamed-of and fleeting moments blinks through your life, you can smile, enjoy that instant, and move on to the next area that gives you satisfaction and enjoyment. Building your life measured by arrivals is dangerous to your soul. Living your life in joy and celebration for each moment allows you to spread these precious jewels around.

Celebrating someone else's tiny accomplishments encourages them to continue on their journey. Celebrating when each small task is completed gives you a near-constant grin and makes people wonder what's wonderful in your life. Sprinkle plenty of attagirls and attaboys throughout your day and add them to other people's lives.

If they ask, tell people how much you enjoy your work and what you are engaged in. This attitude doesn't mean you love every aspect of your work. It means you love to be alive each moment, no matter what's happening, and don't have to wait to arrive at anything. Your time and effort are rewarded each second as you blaze through the day in full glory of being at one with what you're doing.

If you're having less fun and enjoying fewer rewarding moments than you believe are your 'fair share,' then take a few minutes to examine and deconstruct your beliefs surrounding your work and goals. For an instant jolt to your system so you can enjoy more of your life, give me a call, and let's get you smiling again.

For more information on enjoying yourself, contact me at [email protected] or 804 467-1536

NEW START Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending. – Anonymous

WHAT MATTERS What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)