Often times we want something in/from life and have about a million ways to get to it. These ways are categorized into two; the easy and the hard. The easy way may also be referred to as the short cuts. As many would say it, taking the escalator. The hard way is subjected to working from the bottom all the way up. Taking things in stride and overcoming a lot of hurdles to arrive at the very top. You know when you climb a flight of stairs and your legs burn, it is that way with getting what we want too– a slow but tedious process.
I discovered that while many are moving forward with their life, even doing great things and setting milestones, I may still be lagging a lot in my life. While growing up, I saw this as a defect, a reason to look down on myself. It was the statement I needed to confirm my suspicion; I was not going to be as great as they are.
Till date, I still have these moments where I see those around me doing a lot, achieving a lot and breaking limits while I seem to remain at the starting point. It can be frustrating having to deal with the funny thoughts that these set backs come with. At the same time, I got to understand that it all takes time and growth is a process. A slow one.
While it may be true that some of these people take an escalator, we still have those who use the stairs. And when I come across such people, watch as they take off with a speed that shouldn't be deemed legal, I get curious above all else. I have learned that instead of grumbling and talking myself down, it's better to ask.
You see, the reason why we may be doing all we can and yet not be moving an inch is because there may be just one little banana peel on that stair case that makes us slip each time. Until we figure it out, we'd always fall.
Today, while adding to the list of my achievements (I had set a five year plan and right now, I'm on to step one), watching this artist just create on the black canvas, I understood that my growth process is a lot slower than most because of one reason. I like to take my time.
So this means that when I don't understand something, I don't just skim through because I want to start doing. I take my time to learn because I do know that when the time to do comes, the patience would pay off and birth excellence.
Which is why this evening, while coming home from classes, pondering on how my day went, a mental assessment of the goals I achieved and the things I didn't, I realized that I do have a heart to be taught. I also realized that once I understand the full scope of things, there's no stopping me. Now, this here, is the reason why I'm in no rush. I see a lot of things going south in my life right now but at the same time, a great number of things are going right.
I am grateful first for each day I live –because living one day at a time is the best way to live– and I look forward to the pain, obstacles, tears, sweat and joy that they come with. These are all the little things that contribute to my person.
