Thriving Basics
All too often I hear the word ‘striving’ being used for daily activities or for life in general. I feel like we’ve become a species of talking humans that really don’t put much thought into the words that come out of our mouths. We either parrot words that someone else famously uses or words have become so habitual that they just roll off our tongue without a second thought. Someone might give you a look wondering about your words and you didn’t even notice. The stories we tell to others and ourselves… what are these words we use?
Don Miguel Ruiz, in his book The Four Agreements, dedicates one chapter to the agreement of ‘Be Impeccable With Your Word.’ This was the first book that truly changed my perspective, or better yet, my mindset. I’m not going to dive deep into this agreement today, but the book is available and worth reading.
As I started putting my business together, I started using the word THRIVE. Which lead me to wonder where did that come from and why? What had I been using? oh yea, STRIVE. When did this shift happen? What does this mean?
As I continued to ponder, I couldn’t resist looking these two words up in the dictionary.
STRIVE /strīv/ verb - make great efforts to achieve or obtain something; struggle or fight vigorously
THRIVE /THrīv/ verb - grow or develop well or vigorously; prosper; flourish
Wow, just wow… make great effort, struggle, fight… no wonder we feel unsuccessful. We say that we’re striving, so that is exactly what we’re doing. I made a conscious decision that I no longer strive and prohibit myself from using the word.
Thus was born Thriving Basics. I believe that we need to purge old habits and beliefs that focus on the aspect of striving to survive and move toward a mindset of living a thriving life of abundance. Like the foundation of a home, I believe that we all need foundational basics on which to live our best life. Through my blog and social presence, I’ll provide my thoughts and ideas typically around topics that are a first hand experience. Providing insight into how that experience changed my perspective.
Like most of us, COVID introduced a disruptive transition which I believe we are still in the process. At the end of 2021, I quit my job without a plan other than I had enough money to last 6-12 months. I had hit my tipping point with working in the corporate world, It had all become something of a disillusion (or is it delusion). It wasn’t what I originally thought it was. It had changed, or maybe I had change. Whatever it was, we were now misaligned. Taking 2022 off as a gap year has been peaceful and neutral. Focusing on myself and building my business; although it’s been slow process. Anyway, I bring this up because everyday I have to remind myself that I am in transition and transition doesn’t happen overnight (although, that would be nice). Be kind to yourself and others, we are all in transition… which can be difficult at best and downright terrifying for some.