Are you the gardener of your own life?
I was watching a travel series the other day about the Atlantic coast and got hooked on a thought. Intentional living versus instant gratification.
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As I watched, some parts reminded me of the teenage dutch girl, New Zealand-born Laura Decker, who sailed around the world. Thousands of supporters on her return home to Sydney greeted her after seven-month voyaging worldwide.
As a Portuguese, surrounded by the culture of sailing, as the Dutch are, I found it an outstanding achievement by a solo 14-year-old individual.
This journey makes some of us wish we could do that. But let’s pause and ask ourselves — Do we want to do that, or do we expect we could learn from doing that?
First, we want the outcome. Then, we are curious about what we learn from the process. Realizing this, we question why we want to do it. Then, we can think about what is necessary to reach the outcome.
Unravelling your Why behind the want
According to Buddhist philosophy, motivation is like the ground. The crops will grow stronger and healthier if we plant seeds in a well-prepared field. We know we need to do preliminary work.
As long as we keep attaching our happiness to the external events of our lives, which are ever-changing, we will always be left waiting. — Tara Brach.
Reflecting on this quote, the motivation behind the want drives everything we do. It requires pausing to think about why we want something and who we are or need to be to get it. Then, whether being that person appeals to us.
Are your desires flowing from who you are and your ethics?
This question helps you align who you are and want to be with who you are showing on the outside. Once you know the Why behind the want, your actions resonate with your intention.
Sync with your intention regularly. There are many ways to work, setting motivation into your daily life. Some people may write down these motivational moments–that’s up to you. Regardless, see how this habit of checking in with your intention can become a pattern in your life. It helps you to understand your uniqueness.
Work to be the gardener of your own life.
To have an intention isn’t enough. We need to work to achieve our purpose in our lives. Let the seeds grow.
The focus should be on the process, not on the outcome. Learn through failure whenever it happens and grow stronger to proceed with your intention. You will get more experience and knowledge and won’t repeat the same failure.
At the same time, surround yourself with honest people who inspire you and challenge you to achieve the best in yourself.
Plant only good-intention seeds, observe what they become, and remove the weeds that get in the way. The focus should always be on the person I want to be, the life I want to live, and the meaning I will find in the process to achieve the outcome. Then you will be more authentic and resilient during the process, as you clearly understand why.
By creating opportunities, you lead and open up ways to reach your purpose or destination.
