What Progress Looks Like — Even When We Can’t See It Through
Movement isn’t linear by default.
We are programmed to make sense of things in ways we find it most convenient to — after all, it’s easier to label them that way.
Any aspect of growth requires us to shed parts of ourselves to embody newer versions, and as black and white we’d like the process to be, it’s might not be so sometimes.
We might think that getting somewhere means getting closer to it with every move we make, and anything otherwise can make us believe we’re not doing it right (or enough);
And that can leave us feeling as though we’re going in spirals even when we’re not.
Thing is, there may not always be a linear path when it comes to growth or progress of any kind;
And that means, we may not end up taking every step in the forward direction;
Going back is sometimes part of the route too.
It counts as long as we are engaging in movement, irrespective of the direction;
Because moving beats staying where we are, even if they are just attempts;
It shows us that if we are willing to move, we’ll find a way to do it — sooner or later.
We look for consistency in direction, when really we should be striving for consistency in movement itself.
It might even begin with taking 3 steps forward, and 3 steps back (or more);
But the next time we try, we might end up taking 3 steps forward, and only two steps back;
The point is, if we keep at it and graciously give ourselves enough attempts — the number of steps we take forward will outweigh the ones we retract, over time;
Until all we do is keep going ahead.
When we start a process of change (any kind), we are used to respond in ways we have before — effortlessly;
But over time, somewhere between going back and forth, we learn new ways to respond;
And that’s how we equip ourselves with what it takes to make the next leap;
Which will not feel effortless until it does.
Movement isn’t linear by default — and it’s key for us to move irrespective.
Sometimes things are indeed out of our control, but when they are within our control — we should remember that it might still differ from what we envision, and keeping at the process counts more than what we see transpiring from it with every step we take.
We make progress even through the steps we take back, as long as we keep moving — as long as we keep from taking no step at all.
