If everything seems in control, you’re just not going fast enough.
-Mario Andretti, Italian-born American Former Racing Driver
I’ll admit that like to drive fast. I’m definitely not a race car driver, by any means, but I can relate to what this living legend is saying here.
I will be the first to tell you, I do not have it all together. Maybe you have it all together and that’s great. Good for you, keep going. But over here, things are not under control.
I accept that I am a beautiful mess, amidst the struggle, trusting the process.
At the beginning of 2023, I set out to become the woman of my dreams.
I decided that I would willingly embark on a journey that I envision will be ongoing, ever evolving and good for my soul.
I’ve learned through the growth, transformation and evolution of me that I’m not a “waiting for the right time” kind of person. I’ve learned and been taught that the right time never comes.
I am a “let’s make it happen!” type of woman. I believe that if we agree that something is beneficial, we should do it. We should ensure it comes to fruition.
If the other person is not ready or committed, then I’ll make it happen. This is not my favorite quality about myself.
I’m learning to engage equilibrium in the execution of my responsibilities to create peace in my life, my body, my mind, and in my soul.
You have the authority to make time for what’s right.
You have the power to hold space and time for what is necessary and required to fulfill your life’s purpose.
You have the ability to take what life gives you and leave your mark on the world while uncovering your deepest happiness and recovering your own joy. That series of development looks different for every person and that’s okay. That’s what makes the journey beautiful.
Although, I’m still getting it together and I tell myself often, “It’s coming together just how it’s supposed to,” I know that if I stay consistent and determined to reach my goals, that I will achieve what I have been constructing in my heart and mind.
I’ll be quick to announce, “I’m finding my flow or I’m trying to balance everything,” because it really is always something. Life happens fast.
Life is change and newness intertwined with habits and familiarity.
Life is a gift to be handled with care. Life is not something we are meant to control.
Life is an experiential learning process that we manage moment by moment.
“You live, you learn, you love, you grow,” has become one of my life’s maxims. This ideology helps me keep my head up. We all have encounters throughout life that stretch us and change us forever. We are created to outgrow habits, overcome fears, accomplish goals, set and reset boundaries.
Successful people might tell you, “the faster you fail, the faster you succeed” or “to keep failing forward.” During this time, you are actively trying, hypothesizing, projecting, wondering, praying, hoping, listening, preparing, adjusting, reasoning, meditating, fasting, living, learning, loving, growing and things are not in control.
When I came across this quote by Mario Andretti, I loved it. For me, it translated loosely into, “live your life with reckless abandon,” “make mistakes,” “go for it; don’t give up,” and “push through the adversity.”
As a person who is intentionally pursuing the big goals and dreams that I’ve received from God, this quote was affirming! You’re supposed to go forth, be obedient, and follow His plan to achieve great things. You’re supposed to feel lost, overwhelmed, afraid and uncertain at times.
His plan has components that we can’t see or imagine, for our own benefit and humility. God has not designed us to fail. With God we cannot fail. It is when we lean on our own understanding that things get all messed up.
Yes, training events are happening every other week, there are always birthdays coming up, the weather is unpredictable, the registration deadline is approaching soon, that one relative is perpetually sick, and you’re steady trying to lose those ten pounds, but somehow it all gets taken care of, usually.
And if it doesn’t, that’s okay, too. Most of the time.
The eustress of big events, the stress of bad news and poor planning, comes and goes, ebbs and flows.
Time doesn’t slow down. Time stops for no one. In fact, sometimes it feels like time moves faster. Move with it. Keep going. Don’t get stuck.
Life doesn’t stop because we made a mistake or failed to complete a task. Time keeps a-ticking and life keeps on life-ing.
Take time to reflect, to look back. What made today special? How can I continue to plant in this space? What did I learn? Did I do my best?
Give yourself grace. Everyone makes mistakes. Life has no operator’s manual and there are no tutorials.
Take time to listen to your elders They know the way. They’ve been there, done that and come back. Learn from their mistakes. Inhale. Exhale. Can I listen to learn? Am I teachable?
Take time to listen to your body. Am I thirsty? Do I need rest? Have I stretched today?
Take time to prepare, to plan ahead, to know that the best is yet to come. What can I do now? How can I strengthen my skills? How can I be ready to receive? How can I help?
Take time to listen to your soul and take time to listen to God. Am I doing this for my own enjoyment? Am I walking in my purpose? Am I pleasing God?
To take time and dedicate it to self-improvement is wise. It requires discipline. To continue doing the same thing over and over expecting different results is insanity.
Don’t take your time for granted, don’t wait for the right moment, don’t slow down too much.
Know that you are not meant to be in control.
Know that …
If everything seems in control, you’re just not going fast enough.
Recycled Flowers 