It can be difficult to see how some activities or projects in your life can any influence at all. In an immediate satisfaction world, you expect nothing, but the best right away. That perspective is not your fault. The whole world now runs that way. It’s just what is “expected” of all things now. Including human beings.
The reality of immediate expectations is that they are easily distorted, inflated or just not practical for you. They can do a lot more harm than good. Few different things happened to me this past week that remind me of one thing…
Time is on your side. Don’t work against time, let time be your greatest ally.
I have a lot of different passions and time is a great friend when it comes to gaining knowledge and experience on each one. It’s really hard for me to focus on just one of them. Most recently I’ve been focusing on music again. More specifically, learning to play cello. The more I focus on cello, the less I get to focus on photography and other passions.
This past week I was away from home for work, so I could not play my cello for almost 4 days. I even had to miss a lesson that week. I was worried it would hurt my progress. It actually did the opposite. My mind and body finally got a break from all the daily practice.
I actually needed time to help me out when I was just trying to fight it.
This is applicable to so many parts of life. When you are in the middle of working hard, practicing, experimenting, trying to fix a problem you get lost in it. Time feels like it is slowing down and change is absent. When I got home this week I thought I would have to work hard to make up for all the lost practice time on my cello. The first time I grabbed my cello when I got back I felt progress in the greatest way. My hands felt more relaxed and I felt confident.
When it comes to staying focused and making progress, time needs to be on your side.
Time allows for change to happen. That includes the moments you spend away from hard work. You must learn to enjoy the journey and make sure you don’t get caught up in the expectations of now. Later will come sooner than you realize.
Be grateful for this moment. Right here. Right now. It’s part of a bigger picture. One that time is painting just for you.
