Life is about forward motion.
But have you ever found yourself stuck in the cycle of excuses?
You know,
The one where you stop yourself from forward motion because you believe there's an obstacle too big for you to overcome.
Then you feel bad about not trying.
Then you feel angry that others would expect this of you anyway.
And so you embrace the excuse more fully.
It's a way of making sure you don't disappoint anyone,
Especially yourself.
We've all done it.
And it's not pretty.
So why do we cling to our excuses?
Sometimes we're afraid of the work.
Sometimes we're afraid we'll fail.
Sometimes we just want someone else to make the decision for us.
But most often,
We excuse ourselves thinking we're being kind to ourselves,
Honoring our limitations.
But are we?
Many times holding onto an excuse is like trying to swim with one foot anchored to the shore.
We hold ourselves back from forward motion,
Forward progress.
The word excuse actually means to remove oneself from blame.
And why do we want to avoid blame?
Because blame means finding fault with someone or something.
But more often than not,
We look for that fault in ourselves.
But what fault is to be found?
Is it a fault to make a mistake?
No.
A mistake is nothing more than a step to greatness,
A necessary step in our learning and growth.
Is it a fault then to be afraid of new challenges?
No.
Fear is natural,
Even preservative sometimes.
There's no fault in that.
Fear and failure only become faults if they are the end instead of the beginning.
So if there is no fault,
There is no need for blame and therefore no need for excuses.
The real kindness we can do ourselves is to see all that we're capable of.
Don't excuse your process of learning.
Honor it.
Excuses only stop us from seeing our potential and finding our meaning.
They are only impediments to our dreams.
Free yourself from excuses and open yourself up to possibility and progress.
Be well my friends.
You are loved.
