Because of our capacity to expand in many different ways, being static may not always be the most positive state of being.  Yes, we need to rest, reflect, and be thankful for where we are.  Nonetheless, it is good to be aware of our evolutionary nature.  We have innate urges to move, to be fluid, and to flow.  Flowing is not being static.  As we constantly seek ways to evolve, it can be unproductive to become disappointed or upset when we don’t progress at a pace that puts us where we think we ought to be within a certain time period.

We have infinity to get to wherever “there” is.  We mustn’t compare ourselves to others, believing that they’ve got it all together, or that they have accomplished more than we ever will.  We don’t know where they started.  Life is infinite.  S/he could have started in a different lifetime, in another dimension.  Now s/he is at this level, in this body, and is starting from where s/he left off in another time and space.  We cannot judge ourselves based upon our limited perceptions of the external aspects of others’ lives.  People have different goals, intentions, lessons, challenges, and resources that are particular to their personal evolutionary path in this place and in this era.

I sometimes berate myself for having made certain choices in life.  Hindsight is 20/20.  I could have or shouldn’t have done this or that.  Ultimately, I realize that the choices that I made, for better or for worse, made me who, what and where I am today.  But for my experiences, I wouldn’t have developed into my current consciousness and awareness.  Who knows how the dark and light aspects of my past and present have prepared and are setting me up for the next phase of my life?

We’ll get to where we’re going with diligence, commitment, focus, and practice. Continuity is key: continuing to strive and continuing to commit to doing “it” over and over and over again, if necessary, until one day we kind of get “it” and then move on to the next lesson, the next class, the next level, situation, circumstance, and person.

My bicycling mates say that I like to ride up hills.  I don’t necessarily like to do hills.  What I like is getting out of the city.  Where I live, if you want to get to a more nature-based environment, where there are more trees, more beauty, and less traffic, then you have to go over and through hills to get to those areas.  I love the beauty so much that I will do the hills rather than stay in an urban flat area where there are mostly buildings and cars.

Building hill climbing skills is arduous in the beginning.  I pedal slowly and with difficulty on the very steep parts, keeping my eyes away from the top so that I won’t see how far I still have to go.  Afterwards, my body hurts.  Whenever I decide to change, there’s always a curve of discomfort.  Things don’t move as quickly as I would like.  However, because I want the result – to get among farm land or within the park system or where I’m surrounded by trees – I’m willing to commit the time and endure the sore muscles.

And it is worth it.  A fast downhill is seriously worth those two hours of climbing.  I feel like my nine-year-old self again, fearlessly zooming with unbounded joy.  When I ride along a road surrounded by flowing creeks, redwood and evergreen trees, and nature in all of its beauty, I feel as though I am in the Garden of Eden pictured in one of my mom’s old Bibles.  All I can say is “Thank you God.  Thank you Ancestors.  Thank you Spirit Guides.  Thank you trees.  Thank you Sun.  Thank you Sky.”

It would be nice if I didn’t have to train and I could just say, “I want to do this” and poof! I immediately have the appropriate skills and strength. Well, that’s not happening.

Life is similar.  I want to be a better person, a more compassionate and loving person, and a person who is unhurtable.  That’s something that may not be completely obtainable because I am human.  But I strive for that summit as opposed to staying static – in my case, reactive and easily hurt.  I can at least keep going up the mountain.  I can get to a different level than where I am.  Thus, I will commit to continuity, to practice, and to whatever it takes to increase my ability to realize my goals.