compromise
At some point on the Pursuit of your authentic life, you will have to compromise on some of the details of that life.
This morning was the first spring morning warm enough to sit outside for my morning tea and to meditate in the sun, and it was amazing. I’ve been looking forward to spending more time on the patio in the mornings, working there during the week, and being energized by the sun. To be able to have this every day (or almost every day) is a part of my authentic life.
Just not yet.
A move west to warmer and sunnier weather is not a part of Ang and the boys’ authentic lives–or they at least have not discovered it yet. Pretty much every other aspect of my life could be transported and thrive with me in an environment that elevates me to a higher level–business can be conducted via Zoom and strategic visits back to Indiana, friendships can be maintained thanks to technology (and most of my closest relationships are already long-distance), and new favorites could be established in a new location.
Sure, I could put my foot down and tell my family that we’re moving west because I need to be in warmer and sunnier weather as it brings me to the highest version of my Self, but that’s not my style.
I’m still able to operate as a higher version of my Self and have been in Indiana my entire life. My family’s happiness and our ability to maintain our lifestyle (although I know lifestyle would take care of itself if we moved after a short plateau and re-establishment in a new location) is more important today than year-round San Diego-like weather…although, I can’t help but smile to think about every morning starting out like today.
I’ve made a compromise with my Self.
Once the boys are in college, the search for my ideal environment begins–Arizona and California currently occupy the top two spots. I’m willing to maximize the days like today we get in Indiana, take full advantage of them (although most of today will be spent in a basketball gym), and soak in as much of the benefits I receive from this weather to charge my battery to help get through the cold gray winters of the Midwest.
I’m also willing to appreciate what the cold months allow for my family when they are here; I am being compensated for putting up with the little sun and cold temps—a cost of living that allows us to travel, support the boys' passions, live in a great community, and have the freedom of not being stressed by money. These benefits are not insignificant and that is not lost on me.
So for now, I am accepting of this compromise because I consciously made it my Self.
I also want to point out that there are dangerous compromises that you should be aware of on your Pursuit: the compromises made for you by others.
The compromises are often societal and keep you from living your authentic life—they keep you unhappy and low-energy. I don’t have to give you any examples because if you are living under any of these compromises, you already know it.
At some point on the Pursuit of your authentic life, you will have to compromise on some of the details of that life—try to make sure you are controlling those compromises, not being controlled by them.
See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,
JC
