Life In The Notches

There are times when getting there first doesn’t mean you’ve won. 

Speeding your way through life, rushing about in a hurry to what? 

Many times you’re not even sure. So why be so determined to always operate full speed ahead, or at warp speed. Many times if you let off the accelerator a little you will arrive on time, safe and in a more relaxed state.

On this edition of “Becoming Today” we’ll explore what it’s like living in the notches…

Like machines, vehicles, ovens, thermostats and a multitude of other things we all use everyday, we also all have notches. A place where things operate more smoothly, efficiently and with less resistance. 

The recipe calls for the oven to be set at 400, but you know yours operates just a little warmer so you set it to 375 and enjoy a delicious meal instead of a burnt offering. 

You set your thermostat to 78 degrees and it keeps the house at 81. You don’t argue with the device and demand that it somehow magically cool the extra 3 degrees. No, you understand there is a “notch” in the machine controls and adjust. Reset it at 75 and reach your desired comfort level. 

The speed limit sign may read 70 mph. However if you try and maintain that speed you notice your car may hesitate, use more fuel, and is not giving you as smooth of a ride. Rather than eventually cause damage to the vehicle, you need to readjust. Set your cruise control to 69 and not only do you still get there, in the long run it will pay off. Maybe it takes you less than a minute extra to reach your destination and it will be well worth it. In the long run you’ll have less maintenance costs, less aggravation, less chances of a breakdown. 

The same thought process should be applied to ourselves and how we approach traveling along our shared journey. It’s not a race. Getting to a perceived desired destination ahead of someone else does not ensure your success, nor does it have a great impact on your happiness. 

More often than not it is just the opposite. 

Stressed, hurried, aggravated, over-revved are not qualities of living a calm, peaceful, joyous life. 

We should not always be in a hurry to be first, and when we’re not it does not make us less than. As we discussed in “Failure Is An Option”, too many times we hear, see, and read messages, attempting to reinforce that failure is not allowed. That failing at something marks you for life as less than. Nothing could be further than the truth. Failure is not only an option it is also inevitable. 

Some of the greatest minds in modern history realized this.

As motivational czar Zig Ziglar noted, “Failure is an event, not a person. Yesterday ended last night”.

With that we now have this new day, with a fresh start to revitalize our ideas, revamp our approach and work again on the realization of  our desires.

“In my experience, each failure contains the seeds of your next success — if you are willing to learn from it”. – Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen

We all will fail at some point in our life. These are learning experiences so we can do better next time. As long as you choose to accept them that way. If you opt to embrace defeat, then you are more than likely to repeat the same mistakes again. And sometimes again and again until you decide to take a different approach. 

One of those approaches is to begin operating In The Notches. Finding that sweet spot. That place where we can live our day more fully with less effort. Relatively stress free, yet right on time for achieving our goals. Plus doing so without any “breakdowns”, of our physical bodies, minds, emotions or spiritual essence. 

A notch is commonly defined as, “ an indentation or incision on an edge or surface”. However, like most things involving our journey here at “Becoming Today”, we need to go a little deeper. Examining a notch from it’s action tense, as a verb, it now is understood to mean to “score or achieve something”.

Those are the notches we each need to be seeking. Finding those small indentations in time, space and energy that allow us to score. To achieve what is the best possible outcome for not only ourselves, but the eventual and collective good. 

Our odyssey along this path is not about a foot race, it is about the journey – to freely enjoy life and realize our fullest potential. 

Since no two people are exactly alike, no two outcomes can be the same. Nor should we want them to be. 

Each of our notches are therefore different too. It is only through trial and error, by living life focused on wanting to Always Be Becoming, that we learn how it is ebay for ourselves to operate.

Obviously there are some common standards to be observed. Like vehicles should be operated within the restraint of the rules of the road, we need to align ourselves to be functioning in a manner that is compassionate, dignified and respectful to ourselves and others, or as for me I say living in accord with the Lord. 

To do that takes effort, dedication and perseverance. 

While we are operating in the notches there are waiting periods. However if you allow it, that is when God is working for us. Trust His timing, remembering you don’t have to wait until you reach the destination to live your best life in the best way.

Remain hopeful. Live expectantly.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” –  Philippians 4:6

Seek support in your prayers and with others. Many times feeling sustained simply requires shifting a notch in your thoughts or attitudes. 

I feel supported when I am able to allow myself to feel affirmed. When I put aside the disconnects of self-judgement, being overly critical and less than loving towards myself. I have come to understand that I especially need to cultivate kindness towards myself. 

We only have problems when we feel we are not getting the life results and outcomes we want. So realign yourself. Learn how and in what areas of your life  you can operate in a more positive, always “Becoming” notch.