“That is why we always do our best. It is not an easy agreement to
keep, but this agreement is really going to set you free.”
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
Starting in
2012, I began publishing a series of blogs over the subsequent years. Most of
those blogs centered on the theme of purpose. This theme was central and
constant – purpose, vision, goals, passion. All of these were key ideas nearly
900 blogs. For various reasons I stopped writing, but life went on and, in many
ways, improved. Occasionally, I would look at the blogs and for the most part
was happy with them. A lot of work was done and I stayed consistent with both the
work and the theme. But recently I have realized I may have been wrong.
I am no longer a believer in
purpose, vision, missions, or goals. I’m not against them, but I’m just not
sure if I need them any longer. This is what I believe now – doing my best with
what is put in front of me at the moment.
That’s it – just do my best with
what is put in front of me at the moment. From there I can see what unfolds.
This feels like, in many ways, the “key”
or “the secret” to life I’ve been looking for all these years.
How did I get to this point? First,
let me say, there have been many times when I have done my best, but I wasn’t
doing it consciously. Life often felt like something outside of my control. Then,
ironically, an event outside of my control occurred and I had to leave my semi-retired
state and work as a substitute teacher. I got a long-term assignment and while
there I made the decision to do my very best. The work was the thing. Unlike previous
assignments, I decided my priority was not to make friends or get people to
like me; I was simply going to do the very best job I could.
Doing my best with what was put
before me did not preclude me from the following:
·
Making mistakes;
·
Needing and asking for help or
advice;
·
Needing to learn the job;
·
Needing to continue other good
habits like good sleep and exercise;
·
Having fun.
Approaching the
workplace, and life, with this new philosophy came with some unexpected benefits.
I made friends and people liked me and I
built a solid reputation, and while that was nice, this was no longer the motivation
it used to be.
Other things
happened, too. I found myself to be more tolerant, more forgiving of myself and
others. Suddenly, past events and traumas from my personal life hurt less or
not at all. I felt happier and more peaceful. Other people’s actions and words started
to have less effect on me.
My life is not
perfect or free of problems, but now I simply look at what is in front of me
and try to do my best with it. At this point, I have no plans for the future. I
have some hopes and it is possible I will once again engage in a long-term project
to see those hopes fulfilled, but at this moment I am living in the present.
