I Will Get There, But Now I Am Here And Here Is Wonderful!

Words – there’s something just so magical about them. About the way they often make sense of everything so succinctly. As if the scattered pieces of a complicated puzzle just melded into a hypnotic art form revealing simple truths, obvious answers, clear directions that make your self-doubts, struggles and confusions effortlessly dissolve! 

Take the headline for example.

You obviously read it and then began your 4 min read. But just go back. Read the words again. Feel them. Feel them travel – one step at a time - up your energy chakras like the soothing sutras of yoga. Slow. Deliberate. Yet, organic. 

Ethereal? Isn’t it?

You could even try and make it your affirmation of the day. Just the thought is relaxing, a gentle pat on your own back saying “Jal hess eo” a phrase every kdrama fan is so familiar with! 

It’s what’s called the “delight practice” that’s a key part of your journey towards a happier you. Dr L Santos, Professor of Psychology, outlines it as training yourself to notice tiny moments of joy in real time. One of the best ways to do that in today’s “hyper achievement-obsessed” era is to actively notice what made you smile today! 

Not easy, I know. And Balli Kaur Jaswal delves beautifully into the deep-rooted why -- 

Don’t show your teeth, Kulwinder would snap at her teenaged daughter. Men will think you’re inviting them to have fun. She had inherited the warning from her own mother. -- Erotic Stories From Punjabi Widows, Balli Kaur Jaswal, P287

Take the first step anyway! Do it and see the life force gush. 

Starting with myself, well, I just got back from my leisurely walk and I still can’t stop smiling! The cause: 2-month-old Chloe. I am already high-key obsessed. Chloe is a mocha Doberman pup – the very definition of playfulness and unadulterated affection. 

Already, a mega squirt of happy hormones is coursing through your veins dear reader. Isn’t it? Imagine if you mindfully observe your own smiles throughout the day, how wonderful it would be. 

All it needs is to deploy gear 1. Slow, stable, dependable! 

The state of Yutori: relaxed, reflective, balanced! 

From the second you’re born, you’re you. Sometimes people get sick of that… Life is tough, but you gotta keep living until you die, you know what I mean? Sometimes you just need to escape, from your own life. -- Breasts And Eggs, Mieko Kawakami, P115

The resonance of Kawakami’s words is so real, so soul busting. But also, the crucial “red flag” pause you need when you stop and say – wait a minute! I didn’t sign up for THIS! You bet you didn’t. Applies equally to the yolo squad and the rebirth gang. 

Therefore, it’s the here and now that matters. Yes, there are goals, hopes, dreams, deep work, bucket lists, retirement plans – but… but… we can always tell ourselves:

I will get there, but now I am here and here is wonderful!

“Nature doesn’t hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – we all need to let Lao Tzu live rent-free in our head space. Once again just words if you look at them – but oh so potent and powerful if you feel them. 

A tiny disclaimer here in the words of software engineer turned monk Chaitanya Charan --

Due to this integrating nature of bhakti-yoga, retreat within doesn’t necessarily require becoming inactive. - Gita For The CEO, Chaitanya Charan, P165

Slowing down immediately loses its appeal in a world that puts a high premium on the ‘fake it till you make it’ mantra, multi-tasking, always pacing, constantly racking achievements, looking busy – often because it’s wrongly associated with two things –

1. In action 

2. Giving up what is called “ambition”

How about we redefine slowing down, and then negate both these irritants. Slowing down is not death, it's not giving up, its definitely NOT “loser mentality.”

Going back to the headline once again (who ever came up with that, bless you) –

I will get there…..

(Just that)

NOW – I am here and here is WONDERFUL!

Telling yourself –

I’ll chase my dreams – but I’ll enjoy the JOURNEY as well – every single step of the way!

Slow down, reflect and SMILE then thinking of –

• the perfectly brewed coffee you had

• the melody you have on loop

• the book you can’t put down

• the reassuring touch of bae

• even the funny meme that hit home

When you actively start looking – there are so many reasons to smile – to realise that HERE is wonderful too!   

For those who are already slowing down a bit and smiling – might as well take step 2 – go ahead spread that smile. It’s infectious! It’s universal – this love language that you seem to have unlocked already. Share the key. 

Best way to start the week! By grounding your senses a bit and being kind to your nervous system. The path to navigating the “emotional wheel” past anger, sadness, disgust, surprise and fear to a happy station that plants seeds of optimism, courage, peace and satisfaction in the HERE and NOW, even as you slowly and steadily move towards THERE – where you proudly echo Lincoln and say “I am a slow walker but I never walk back”… where you embody Mae West in her firm belief that “anything worth doing is worth doing slowly” – that’s why starting today try telling yourself – I’ll slow down…Smile & live the wonderful HERE!

Views expressed by the author are their own.