Remember The Bigger Story
Remember the bigger story
BRIEF RECAP:
THE FIRST TIME we learned the important principle:
MOTIVATION COMES AFTER ACTION NOT VERSA
LAST TIME we built on that principle with:
WILLINGNESS LEADS TO ACTION
WILLINGNESS-> Action-> Motivation
Willingness is key to getting started AND keeping motivated.
Good news: willingness is a skill that can be cultivated through practice.
Practice inwardly turning towards what is difficult and uncomfortable:
NOW
I encourage you to:
Remember the Bigger Story
WHAT IF I’M NOT WILLING AND FIND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT MY PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE?
Sometimes acceptance is the bitterest pill to swallow. At these times remember the bigger story in 3 areas:
What you value most in life:
Thought Experiment
Imagine Yourself Witnessing Your own Fake Funeral:
Remember the movie Castaway? Where Tom Hank’s character is stranded on an island after his plane crashes and everyone assumes he is dead?
Put yourself in his shoes. Everyone you care about mistakenly thinks you’re dead. At long last you make it home and you stumble upon this scene: Your closest friends and family are all gathered together and you see and hear the person you most admire addressing your family and friends…
In this scenario, what words do you want this person to describe you as? What character qualities and memories do you want to hear this person you admire say about you?
2. The better angels of your own nature:
Recall how you, in the past, dealt well with a similar insurmountable situation.
Imagine you, 10 years in the future, have dealt well with your present obstacle and learned and grown from the obstacle. If this future, wiser you could impart a few pieces of advice to help you along, what would your future self say to you?
3. Most importantly, remember God’s goodness
…and speak it to your own heart like David does in the Psalms:
“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
summary:
When lacking motivation, remember action leads to motivation (not vice versa): just take the smallest of 1st steps.
Action-> Motivation
When starting to act is difficult, remember willingness leads to action: Accept your present circumstances and you’re unstuck:
Willingness-> Action-> Motivation
Sometimes acceptance is the bitterest pill to swallow. At these times remember the bigger picture:
What you value most in life.
The better angels of your own nature.
Past victories and successes.
Advice from your future self who has succeeded with your present obstacle.
God’s goodness.
REMEMBERING-> Willingness-> Action-> Motivation
My friends,
We are such forgetful creatures and we need reminders. Take a few minutes today and remember what matters.
Charles
