I am finally understanding many things in life are simple and that simple and easy are vastly different concepts. Sure, there are times when life just flows, we understand what needs to be done, we do it, and we seem in rhythm with the universe. And there are those times when we feel like we are running uphill against an avalanche. Everything seems complicated, nothing works the first time we try it, and we just want to give up. There are times when maybe we should give up. When we have invested a great deal of our lives in getting to a certain point through education and mindset, when our friendships and lifestyle are based around a certain concept, it becomes very difficult to change. “How can I just give up when it has taken so long to get here?”

But, it is extremely important to consistently examine our motives. Why am I doing this? What do I hope to achieve? Is it my highest purpose? I believe that all people have beautiful souls, some have been buried, corrupted, and challenged beyond others but, I believe that they are there. Often (I understand, not always) it is the strength to challenge one’s motives that is the issue.

I love this quote and I will surely use it again:

We survive as a society, in many ways because of the the so-called virtues of loyalty and consistency. The problem is that with loyalty and consistency, we tend to abdicate our ability to think critically, to see what truly brings us joy, and what greater good exists. It is often too much trouble to implement the change we know we need or we can’t see the way to do it alone. This is the tragedy of loyalty and consistency. Aristotle postulated that too much or too little of virtue is a vice. You can have too much bravery as well as too little. The key is to have just enough. It is like this with loyalty and consistency as well.

In our polarized times, we feel like we must pick “A” or “B”. Often the two options are force-fed to us through media that is well-funded and whose motives have nothing to do with us leading our best lives. I have learned that I think my best, do my best, and am more motivated to at least find my highest purpose when I shut out and limit the fire hose of media. They rely on our consistency and imbue our loyalty with inflated claims, choreographed events, and images. It is too easy to turn on our favorite channel, scroll our social feeds, and commiserate and catastrophize with our friends. We often fail to recognize the cherry-picking of events and sometimes outright lies being put in front of us.

What if, instead I woke up to silence. No music, just the sounds around me. It might take a while and I might have to coach myself to hear my voice. Maybe I meditate for a short time each morning, heck, maybe work up to a few times a day. Maybe I can hear a different call, maybe I can see a better way, maybe I can be happier, maybe I can make a difference, maybe I can be a greater part of the good in the world.

I don’t believe that I owe loyalty and consistency to institutions and individuals that seek to silo me, that don’t pursue actual good, and that sow mistrust. When I look around me, I see good people willing to do good things. We are so consistent and loyal to concepts that do not serve us well, that we are unwilling to change. I often say, “Without change, nothing ever gets better.” Let’s have the courage to examine our loyalties, see a better path, and take the first step toward a better future. Let’s be loyal to ourselves and consistent in doing better.

Published by Trekking Cyclist

from Plano, TX. Father, grandfather, cyclist, fan of the Texas Rangers and Texas Longhorns View all posts by Trekking Cyclist