This post is for all the people who are – like myself – just trying to get into a rhythm. Perhaps you’re just starting a diet, a workout routine, starting out a blog, or trying to learn a new skill. Maybe you’ve reached the end of the proverbial “road” and have to seek out a new adventure. Maybe you are just out of ideas for the day, and you know you need to do something, but nothing really comes to mind. Whatever it is, you’ve hit some type of dead-end, though you have some type of ultimate goal in mind.
My answer for this is simple: Just do what you want to do. Here me out, I’m not advocating procrastination, or simply giving up. What I’m advocating is allowing yourself to continue your goal, allowing it to come from inside. You don’t have to force it, and if you do, I think you’re wanting the wrong thing. You see, today, I’m just exhausted. I wanted to write something witty or inspiring. I find myself lacking in structured thought, but there’s something in there, I know it.
I really, quite honestly, learned a lot about myself this past week. I found out that I have the strength to ask scary questions to people who have a direct impact in my life. I also found out that when you ask those scary questions, they are often met with meaningful answers far less terrifying than you might have imagined. I also found out that asking scary questions was one of the things I’ve been wanting to do all along. Somewhere in there, I found out that doing what I want to do was not something that I craved. It was something that I needed to do.
And that’s the conclusion I’ve come to: Want is not a craving. Want is not a lust. Want is not vicarious, though it may start as such. Want is not a simple desire. Want is just as strong as need.
If you haven’t done so yet, I invite you to redefine that word for yourself. If your goal is to eat less calories, then wanting that cookie is not appropriate. If you want to be strong, wanting to skip that workout is not an option. All of us who have hopes and dreams need to reflect on how we perceive that small little word. Wanting should be needing, and if wanting something does not fit your desired outcome… guess what? You don’t want it. You don’t need it. And it shall be stricken from your desires.
Imagine vicariously, want something, need something, do something.
Stay vicarious, my friends.
Man. Vicarious. 