Progress is a Path, Not a Destination

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Character Development

Progress is dancing to the same song I used to cry to.

- Flux by Orion Carloto

This past year was not a kind one, not an easy one, not a pleasure. It was painful and abrupt, at times; exhausting and never-ending at others. It was too slow, yet too fast. It was rough and rocky around the edges, painful to the touch more often than not. And even though there was beauty and joy intermingled in the ugliness, it wasn't quite enough to outweigh all the heaviness.

If 2019 had been a person, it would've been some dark god, some ominous higher power that zipped and zapped whoever it wanted, whenever it wanted, cursing them with a flick of its wrist.

That's how it felt to me, and to many of my friends who also had some of the roughest times of their lives these past twelve months.

This year has been a struggle - and I am not sad to see it go. While I know the turning of a calendar page doesn't actually change anything, there is unbridled hope in the thought that 2020 might be, can be, has to be a better year.

My last blog post was in June. If you're a long time reader, you'll know I've never taken this long of a writing break. I've never even taken an unannounced break because this little tiny blog is a passion project for me. What I've discovered is that everything must come to a halt sometimes, even the things you're truly, deeply passionate about, when healing is your number one priority.

No matter my love for the written (or typed) word, I couldn't muster the creativity to write. For a while, this lack of being able to craft something was yet one more thing that bothered me, one more worry, one more concern, piled on top of all the other things I was trying to face.

But what I've learned, and am still learning, is this:

Progress is a path, not a destination.

Healing doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen in days or weeks or even months, sometimes.

Healing happens in its own time.

Do all the things you need to do: Go to therapy. Cry. Scream. Get angry. But don't rush the process. Dig your heels in and say, "No, Life, I want this over with and I want it over with now!" and I guarantee you Life will dig its heels in even harder and add on a couple lessons about patience, thus extending your healing process.

The same logic applies to goals or, shall we say at this special time of year, resolutions. Whatever you're setting your heart to accomplish in 2020, remember:

Progress is a path, not a destination.

Give yourself time. If you make a mistake or fall short of your target, get back up and keep on walking that path. Everything you need to learn and achieve can and will happen when you put one foot in front of the other and keep on going.

You've got this, friends. I believe in you.

Farewell, 2019.

You taught me a lot. About life, about myself. About the grace in falling apart, the serenity in letting the pieces land where they may, and the peace in letting go.

I'm letting go of you.

Here's to 2020, a new year of possibilities. Come what may.