Excellence in Simplicity

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." – Will Durant

TRUTH

*The beginning of the holiday season can oftentimes bring a bit of anxiety when trying to manage and navigate schedules, budgets, and our desires to show up in every situation as our best selves.

Anxiety is typically focused on future events and linked to things outside of our control. To reduce anxiety in our lives, it’s important we focus on grounding ourselves to the present moment and focusing on small steps we can take now to improve our situation. Recognizing we have agency to choose and then using this agency to make a choice (even a small one) will help us reduce the feelings of overwhelm. 

So, what decision can you make today that will increase the desired outcome of a situation which might be causing you anxiety? 

BEAUTY

A couple of weeks ago, we had a stunninging beautiful fall day in SE Idaho, where I live. I couldn't help but take a long walk along the river, which led me to the Japanese Friendship Garden. I've been here before, yet this day I became more observant of the sights and sounds and smells around me. I sat on a wooden bench overlooking the river and pondered. I expressed gratitude for the beauty and warmth around me. And I realized that this garden was possible because of volunteers in my community. They envisioned it and created it. And they continue to maintain and beautify this space. 

As part of Day Two of our 7-Day Gratitude Challenge - "Nature & Beauty" Gratitude Practice - I wrote a letter the following day to the director of the garden volunteers expressing gratitude for her team's time and efforts and care in gifting the citizens and visitors of our community a space of beauty and tranquility. I am so grateful for the gift of this garden and for the gift of expressing gratitude to those who make it possible. 

GOODNESS

Wondering what to do with your pumpkins after Halloween festivities this week? A thoughtful group in the Washington D.C. area - Pumpkins for the People - is collecting leftover pumpkins throughout the month of November to compost the remnants of your jack-o-lanterns, thereby providing nutrients for gardens and farmland. 

EXCELLENCE

*The principle of “good, better, and best” has been floating at the forefront of my mind, recently. Reflections on work and life distractions have caused me to think about how I can shift from making ok or even good decisions to better decisions. And what would the best version of me look like in these decisions? 

I can get overwhelmed quickly when I consider all the areas of my life I want to improve. A simple question that keeps the overwhelm at a minimum for me during any task or interaction or circumstance is, “How can this be just a bit better?” or “How can I be just a bit better?” The answer might be to compliment someone in my space, or take 3 meditative breaths and recenter my focus, or double-check my work, or say “yes” to an opportunity to serve someone. 

And sometimes, the answer towards excellence is simply to rest. To let go. To unwind. To be still. 

Excellence is not perfection nor is it a destination; it’s a practice. And if I’m practicing on becoming the best me in my interactions with others and circumstances and the best me in the value and contributions I seek to share with our world, then I am practicing the principle of excellence.

A FINAL LOVE NOTE

Take the next simple step - in your relationships, in your passions, in your business, in your health. Excellence is found in these moments of progression and the act of trying. 

Remember - you are divine and loved. You are beautiful, worthy, and strong.

Lovingly,