Am I stuck?

The things I want to achieve are because I want to feel a certain way

-Danielle LaPorte

Well, duh! I mean, it seems pretty obvious that we want things because of how we believe we’ll feel when we get them:

I want to spend less time traveling for work because I believe that I’ll have more fun and therefore feel more joy at home.

I want to attend the yoga festival because I believe that I’ll feel more peaceful after a few days in the bubble.

I want to master that trick because I believe that I’ll feel strong and competent when I finally do it.

You could probably also add milkshakes and french fries to that list, but there’s no need to go into too much detail. You all get the point.

I–we–want things because of the feelings that we expect to be associated with them. And yet it’s very easy to  become focused on the things (the means to an end) rather than the feelings (the end). It’s the classic distinction between a goal and an intention.  Goals can be very powerful, their specificity focusing your energy and attention.  And, yet, their very specificity is also their potential limitation. Without proper context, goals can distract you from the path towards your true intention.

Case in point, I’ve recently been putting a lot of pressure on myself to Keep Growing. There’s the book project, the jewelry business, the singing workshops, the acro training, and the general training. And they’re all running through my head in a near constant loop of things that I should be doing… but am not currently doing. And don’t even get me started on the secondary loop about why I’m not doing them, with its requisite inquiries into my resistance (Why am I holding back? Am I playing small? Am I self-sabotaging? and so on) and pep talks. 

But here’s the thing (thankfully, there’s pretty much always a thing), I’m not doing those things because I’m busy enjoying my spring– celebrating family milestones and cultivating new relationships in my still relatively new home. In short, I’m not doing those things because I’m busy feeling delightedly content with my world. I’ve eased up a bit on the goals because I’m already living my intentions: joy and authenticity. In short, I am on a plateau.  

Dictionary.com defines a plateau as:

a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress. Synonyms: quiescent period

To that definition I would add, “and preceding the next period of activity or progress.” And that extra clause is the key to getting the full value out of a plateau. The plateau is a phase of integration, often rest, and, yes, delight. A plateau is a time to fully savor the fruits of where you’ve been and what you’ve done–with full knowledge that you’ll soon be off on the next phase of your adventures. 

So, I herein declare my intention to experience this plateau to the fullest. And to be ready to surf the growth curve when it’s time to start moving forward again. 

And I ask you, where is your life inviting you to rest and integrate today? And will you give yourself permission to enjoy the plateau?