I’ve explained a few times now, in the first ColorfullyEnthused* Newsletter as well as in the descriptions of a couple of digital art pieces in my shop, that I came across these words, “Your direction is more important than your speed,” a couple of weeks ago and they’ve been playing on repeat in my mind ever since.
Throughout the past two weeks, I’ve reminded myself of this quote in an effort to reduce the pressure in my chest that would build and fall with 1) the ebb and flow of information about our city during the nationwide protests and the crazy amount of (late) hours that Jordan spent downtown and 2) a simultaneous desire to push—to work harder and faster—in an effort for this ColorfullyEnthused* endeavor to make a positive difference in someone’s life sooner. I would feel waves of energy and excitement, followed by moments of paralyzing grief, heaviness, and angst. I kept telling myself: “You don’t have to get there fast, just keep putting one foot in front of the other; take one step at a time . . .”
Since the violence in our city and nation has seemingly declined, I’ve noticed my experiences of grief, momentary paralysis, and angst decline as well—yet the words of this quote continue to show up. They continue to show up and have even taken on new meaning.
One day early last week, I went out on my regular morning run and by the end of it I had the impulsive, “random” idea to paint. I quickly talked myself out of it, deciding “I don’t have time for that. If I do that, then ______ won’t get researched today, ______ won’t get made today, and I’ll just fall behind.”
I showered and proceeded with my day’s plan which happened to include spending some of the morning with my life coach and mentor, Carol.
As we were talking, Carol asked questions and provided encouragement like she always does. In regard to this business I’ve started, she said: “Don’t doubt what God has placed before you . . . Allow Him to flow through you . . . Hold it loosely, let God orchestrate.”
As she was talking, I started thinking. When she finished, I said “Carol, during my run today, I had an idea of something to paint.”
Her response: “And . . . ?”
Me: “Well, I decided against it because of all the other things I have on my list to do today.”
She made me laugh, as she frequently does, by challenging me to think about what might happen if the things on my list didn’t get done today—if they don’t even get done next week. With her guidance, I came to understand that my real desire is to follow God’s plan for the day, not my own. I can have a loose idea of a plan but, like Carol suggested, I want to hold that plan “loosely”—giving God the opportunity to intervene in my plans as He sees fit. When He places an idea on my heart, I want to bring His idea to fruition. I want this whole “thing” to be about Him; I want to be His vessel.
Needless to say, I scrapped my plan that day and painted.
I painted these words, “Your direction is more important than your speed,” in an effort to cement them into the core of my being.
Each day, instead of rushing through my to-do’s in an attempt to “get ahead” faster and sooner, my aim is to listen for the direction He steers.
In “Atomic Habits” (one of my recently read and new favorite books), James Clear defines “The Two Minute Rule” and stresses consistency as being what leads to success. He says: “The point is to master the habit of showing up.” He encourages readers, even on days when they’re not feeling well, to just “show up.” Do “the thing” for two minutes—just two minutes. In other words, keep yourself moving in the direction of your end goal—it doesn’t matter how quickly you accomplish it, what matters is consistently “showing up” in your effort toward getting there.
A great example of this being played out is the progress I’ve witnessed in different areas of Tate’s life. Tate is our “tricky pup.” Over time, I’m sure you’ll come to know many stories requiring me to keep my “therapy cap” on at the end of a work day instead of taking it off, in an effort to improve my dog’s performance skills and participation in life.
Anyway, just last week I explained in a post on social media that Tate is currently able to be trusted with being left unattended, out of his crate, free to roam the house—without fear of destruction. (I say “currently” because each season does tend to be a process of transition for him; when I head back to school in the fall, we may have to start the steps of progression all over again). Although this may not be permanent, this is huge. In the very beginning, it involved taking steps—day-by-day—to get him to go into his crate, before we left him. We played music, used toys, and made special “crate treats.” We left for small amounts of time and increased to greater amounts. Several summers ago he went through a phase of enduring great extents of pain in an effort to then escape his crate each time we left—it didn’t matter how short of a time we were gone.
With Tate being a Rottweiler-German Shepherd mix, I decided to read a decently-sized book about Rottweilers from cover-to-cover in one day. I grew up with German Shepherds, so I at least had some familiarity with that breed, but I realized I didn’t know much at all about Rotties. If I wanted to be a good dog mom, I needed to learn.
I read that Rottweilers are such a family-oriented breed that when their family leaves home, they NEED their crates to be in a space where their family spends a lot of time; it helps them feel better-connected and less abandoned.
Tate’s crate has been in our family room ever since. Is it an eyesore? YES. But is it worth it? TOTALLY. It was heartbreaking to see his bloody—and sometimes crooked—nose every time we returned home. Since that time, we’ve made incremental steps, yet again, and have eliminated (at least for now!) the need for his crate at all; he hasn’t used it in six months!
I put some form of work in with Tate every day, it doesn’t matter how little. Some days it’s a quick little session of practicing commands and other days it’s taking a few moments with him during our morning run to stop and watch walkers (instead of racing around or past them) in order to grow his sense of understanding that not all people outside of his pack require an attack.
The progress I’ve witnessed in different areas of Tate’s life provides for me real-life, tangible examples of where small steps in the right direction can lead. If instead of consistently taking small steps, I had pushed him hard here-and-there, a couple times a week, I doubt he’d be the much-more-stable dog that he is today.
I think we’re hardwired pretty similarly.
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Today’s Encouragement: A “dream” is defined as “a strongly desired goal or purpose” or “something that fully satisfies a wish.” It doesn’t matter what goal you’re working toward or what wish you desire to be fulfilled—start with where you are and make small, consistent steps in the direction of that dream. Maybe it’s to become stronger: do one extra push up each day. Maybe it’s to drink more water: each day, drink five more ounces than you did the day before. Maybe it’s to eat healthier: choose a single fruit to replace one of your favorite carbs each day, such as a banana instead of toast or an apple instead of chips. Maybe it’s to improve your marriage: each day, identify one thing about your spouse for which you’re grateful (take it a step further by letting them know, voicing your thankfulness).
For me, right now, this small business is my dream of focus. Instead of rushing and pushing so hard for several hours each day and missing out on moments of mindfulness, I will continue to show up—but with an aim to slow down. I aim to slow down and trust the direction in which He guides.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Father, we acknowledge you. God, you know the dreams of our hearts; I believe, as a friend once said, that you’re “in the business of making dreams come true.” Help us, Lord. Remove the load from our shoulders and relieve us of the pressure in our chest. Remind us to fix our eyes on you. When we do that, God, we know—we know we’ll find ourselves right where we aim to be, oftentimes even somewhere better.
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Would you or someone you know, like me, benefit from having a reminder of these words? Check out a couple of canvases I have available for purchase in my shop.