How To ThriveSample

How To Survive THRIVE - Spiritually

Day 6:  You Grow When You Value The Process As Much As The Destination

My husband and I have noticed a habit that we have when we go on holidays - we love to talk about what we will do for our next holiday! We will sit on a beach and talk about how great it would be to take our kids to the Berg. Or we will be on holiday with our family and we’ll end up chatting about how fun it would be go away with our friends. 

It can be very hard to live in the present, and not live for “One day when...”

One day when I’m finished school….

One day when I’m making more money…

One day when I’m married....

One day when I’m retired...

So many of us spend our lives living for “One day when...”

What are you waiting for?

Write down how you would finish the sentence “One day when…”

The Apostle Paul describes being content with his current situation as a secret that he had to learn over time. True happiness is actually something that Christ offers - but it comes with learning how to be in the present and not the future!

There are major problems that come with being focused on the destination instead of the process.

• We can end up with negative thoughts because our happiness is attached to a distant outcome. 
• We can end up with negative behaviours because the end justifies the means.
• We can end up with negative feelings because we focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have.

How can we value the process rather than the destination?

Here are some simple, practical tools for being present.

Choose one to practise this week.

• Mindfulness - After you wake up, simply sit comfortably and try to focus on your breathing for two minutes. When (not if) your mind wanders, just notice it and label it “thinking.” And gently return to the breathing, without harshness. Set a timer, and when the timer goes off, you’re done! The benefit of this regular practice is that you learn skills that you can take and practice in other parts of your day. Especially in moments of stress!
• Daily Reflection - At the end of each day, or at the beginning, take a minute to journal or just reflect on how your day has gone. When did you feel happy in the last 24 hours? When did you feel sad? Were there any times when you noticed God’s presence? 
• Put Your Phone Away - Choose 20 minutes in the day when you put your phone away. It could be the first 20, or the last 20. It could be while you have lunch. Disconnecting from emails, notifications or even just mindless scrolling will force you to notice your present environment.

Written by Jess Basson | UMH \ \ PM Pastor