Failing Toward Progress

Remember when we discussed on Day 1 that the only constant is change? Well, bear with me here when I tell you that failure– at very least momentary failure– is inevitably going to be part of this path. But I want to couple that with saying that I personally do not believe in failure; again, bear with me here. There is no such thing as failure– there is only information we learn, data we explore, and action that we take to recalibrate after it all. Setbacks, on the other hand, can show us where our limits have been hit, and where we might need some reinforcement or recommitment. But setbacks, my dear friends, do not a failure make. Remember this always. This road is a process, and we are ever-changing as we venture further. 

When I have a patient come to me having hit a rocky patch after having done so well for a good stretch of time, I usually greet them with a big fat “Congratulations!” Not because I want them to suffer, but because it is in these moments of “failure” that they can truly reflect upon how far they’ve come. For example, it might be helpful for them to know how their body feels after “falling off the wagon.” You can think of your health journey as a pendulum, constantly swinging back and forth, and there will be stretches of time where things are easy and great and soaring to new heights. There will be other times, however, where it can feel challenging, heavy, or even stuck in one place, and that’s because our external environment is always changing, just as our internal environment is. As we grow and change, the people around us are doing their own growing and changing too, so we must constantly rework the equilibrium. This never goes away. 

These are the very moments when we have to come back to our self-compassion, and a little loving awareness about our current state of life to remind ourselves: “Oh yeah, I’m going through a lot, and I’m doing the best I can.” You might also remember that when in doubt, do something you love! Practice the art of turning your healthy habits into wholistic rituals by focusing on the love and joy they bring to your life.

None of us will ever learn or master everything life has in store; that’s the joy of the experience! We are all on this adventure, so stay curious, and remember that no matter what, you ALWAYS - without condition - deserve to be well and feeling good, even if you’ve made choices here and there that weren’t necessarily in-line with that. Love, joy and good health are your divine rights. Period.

Thank you for spending this time with me today. When you’re here, you’re showing up for yourself and your health, and that simple fact already makes you a wild success in my book.

Today’s Activity: 

I’d like to invite your to repeat after me:

I am grateful for the chance to grow and expand, even when it feels uncomfortable. 

I honor the moments in my life when I am presented with a new challenge, because it means that I am ready for new evolutions of myself. 

I promise to always stay curious about how I can show my newfound strengths by conquering a setback before me. 

I feel grateful, especially, in these moments that I can learn how to love myself deeper and wider and more fully.