Little by Little, Grand Things are Achieved
by Shannon Ables
Founder & Editor of The Simply Luxurious Life
“We sow our thoughts, and we reap our actions; we sow our actions, and we reap our habits; we sow our habits, and we reap our character; we sow our character, and we reap our destiny.” ~Desiderius Gerhard Erasmus
Maybe it is adding a minimal $20 to your savings account each month to save for a dream vacation to Paris, maybe it is choosing to do your best each day that you are on the job, as you slowly make your way up the ladder in your company, maybe it is taking the weight off, slowly, yet healthily, or maybe it is building relationships that will stand the test of time.
In our modern world, we have been spoiled with the ability to contact each other immediately, view the news as it is happening, observe as seemingly nobodies become famous for irrational acts and paid mind-blowing sums of money instantaneously, as well as track almost everything on-line. But the message that is being drowned out is that in order to maintain quality in our lives, we must put forth the effort every day to make it as we desire it to be.
And while this may at first seem daunting, the beautiful fact is that it is in our small habits, our small actions, that we partake in every day that will create the life we want.
Something I am thankful to have learned from my parents is that the truly grand things in life will require hard work, focus and patience. Unfortunately, for our youth today, this message isn’t portrayed in our media as frequently. In fact, quite the opposite is on display. But when I think about the aspects of our lives that matter most to us – our relationships, our financial security, our peace of mind, and a healthy grasp on the meaning of life and how to live it successfully, I can’t help but realize immediately, that each require time, a genuine investment and all of them require discipline to help them become successful components of our lives.
“Good habits result from resisting temptation.” ~Ancient Proverb
Just as the compound interest on investments doesn’t reach its full and appreciated potential until decades after the initial venture was begun, the same is true for a healthy relationship. While it may begin wonderfully and bring true bliss, if it is handled correctly, if each of the parties involved are respectful and honest with one another, the grand gift is in the relationship’s maturity, the passionate beginning is just the frosting on the cake.
Most importantly, what I want to impress upon you today is to have patience. Give things a chance to grow, mature and show their full potential before you throw your hands up and assume it can’t work, or it isn’t working. Granted, there are times when ventures need to be aborted immediately upon realizing the wrong decision has been made, but if on the other hand you’ve done your research, you know what you want, and at the core, what you are working for is worth your sweat and tears, hang in there. With the little steps you take every day, they turn into habits, and those habits build upon one another, creating far beyond a mole hill that you can’t ignore. So be sure that you are establishing habits that are propelling you in the direction you want to go because you will get there, trust me.
“Habits form character and character is destiny.” ~ Joseph Kaines
Happy Monday everyone and here’s to being mindful in our daily lives so that the sweet successes can be achieved.
Images: (1)Sebastian (2) Sebastian (3) Source
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