TGIF | Embracing the Journey of Self-Improvement: A Personal Reflection on Healing and Humanity
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Hi Community,
How's your health holding up in this winter season? It seems like everyone I know has been under the weather or recently bounced back from something. I, too, succumbed to the seasonal bug, catching a bout of COVID right before Christmas. But you know what they say – when life gives you lemons, make it an excuse to catch up on sleep and binge-watch Netflix.
During my downtime, I stumbled upon a hidden gem of a movie called Good Grief. There's this powerful dialogue towards the end that struck a chord with me. It goes something like this...
“…If it makes you feel better, I don’t think anyone actually has their shit together…
… I completely disagree. I think people can have their shit together and live lives that aren’t a complete mess. And be kind to people and be generous to people and want good things for people. So no, I think that’s a cop-out and I think it’s what keeping both of you from realizing your behavior has hurt people…
…People feel things that are inconvenient, Thomas, it happens. It sucks but it happens. That’s okay…
…You’re right, people don’t have their shit together, but I think for our sake, we have to try harder.”
What resonated with me during that pivotal scene was the affirmation that life is messy. We can be grappling with our own struggles, inadvertently hurting those around us, and still acknowledge that we need to do better. It's a delicate dance of feeling immense emotions while understanding the need for personal growth.
I've always held the belief that embracing discomfort and doing the hard things, is key to reaching where we want to be. The steadiness that comes from striving to be better makes life easier – both mentally and physically. It's not a flawless formula, but the discipline of steady self-improvement provides resilience in the face of heartbreak and obstacles.
Now, let's clear up a misconception. Self-improvement isn't just about ticking off items on a wellness checklist – it's a recognition that being human is a journey of evolution. Evolving ourselves is a daily practice of awakening, becoming more conscious, fostering joy and gratitude amid challenges, and truly living our lives.
Believing in our ability to commit to this ongoing betterment is crucial because our humanity depends on our evolution. Consider our origins as survival-focused cave dwellers – now that survival is less of an immediate concern, how do we propel our species forward?
Can we rise above the primal instincts, moving beyond power struggles, and instead focus on collective good? The key lies in consistently striving to be better – in kindness, generosity, and celebrating others. It's about viewing life not just as a personal survival story but as a collective effort to propel humanity forward.
Contemplate the perils of social media, consumerism, and conservation efforts. Now, juxtapose that with thoughts of community, service, and compassion. Less judgment, more openness, active listening, and empathy can pave the way for a brighter future.
When we're entangled in our own stories, trauma, and drama, there's little space to contribute to the greater good. So, when I talk about self-improvement, I mean recognizing that to positively impact humanity, we owe it to the world and future generations to take care of ourselves. No shortcuts. No excuses. It's a responsibility that extends far beyond just one of us.
So, I challenge you. Together we are stronger. Embrace the discomfort, commit to growth, and watch as our collective efforts contribute to a world where kindness, compassion, and personal growth prevail. Because, my friend, it's not just about us – it's about the bigger, brighter tapestry of humanity we're all weaving together.
Hugs. You’re never alone.
And this week’s TGIFs…
TOOL - Nature. A friend of mine recently realized we share the same ritual for big feelings, in the same place - a short wooded path in our neighborhood. We even thought we had the same “breakdown bench” but thankfully there are two, and we each have our own. I often say those woods hold a thousand of my tears. Find your breakdown bench, friends.
GRATITUDE - SUNSHINE. Seriously, what a turnaround it makes in all of us. I noticed after that 60-degree day a couple of weeks ago how everyone was squirrely, in a good way. Joy was evident.
INNOVATION - I love this poem about small kindness. Grand gestures are overrated. Opt for the tiny ways to be a good human.
FEELS - Woof, this book. If you want to gain perspective on collective resilience, I encourage you to grab a box of tissues and dig in. Not for the faint of heart but so powerful and provocative.