Aim to Thrive
The concept of thriving has always been really interesting to me. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like the same things that make me feel like I’m even remotely close to thriving, also seem to be somewhat of a threat to my well-being, in one way or another.
Even so, I can’t help but embrace the yearning deep within me to experience all that this life has to offer. It’s in moments of this recognition that I resonate so deeply with quotes like the following by Martha Medeiros – a quote I originally saw posted by @baya_voce.
“You start dying slowly
if you do not travel,
if you do not read,
if you do not listen to the sounds of life,
if you do not appreciate yourself.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You start dying slowly
when you kill your self-esteem,
when you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly
if you become a slave of your habits,
walking everyday on the same paths,
if you do not change your routine,
if you do not wear different colours,
or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly
if you avoid to feel passion
and their turbulent emotions;
those which make your eyes glisten
and your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly
if you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love;
if you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
if you do not go after a dream,
if you do not allow yourself
-at least once in your lifetime-
to run away from sensible advice.”
I know not everyone has the luxury or privilege of traveling where they would most like to go or changing a job simply because they are not satisfied. There are times we have to really think of how we can more fully live, with deeper connections to the world around us – while still carrying out our responsibilities.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As cliche as it may be, I’m beginning to think that *thriving* for me really is more of a process or a way of being more than it is a state of achievement; something more-often-than-not to be seen from a bird’s eye view of my life, rather than in my day-to-day ups and downs. Whether or not I feel as though I’m actually thriving, I know I’m closest when I’m experiencing deep connections to the people most important to me, when I’m feeling connected to the world around me, as well as, when I’m feeling connected to myself – and those are the connections I will continue to cultivate.
