We are bound to repeat lessons that we don’t learn. That’s what they say, right? I don’t know who “they” is, but it’s a sentiment most of us have heard once or twice. Shoot, I refer to some of these said lessons in my book, In My Element (shameless plug:)!
As I sit here thinking about how long it’s been since I took the time to settle down my own mind long enough to write, I am keenly reminded of the redundancy of cycles. Cycles have their place, but repeating some cycles will leave you standing in place. Take a second to catch that. Even when the temptation to sit in the familiar sets in, the desire to thrive has to force you to frequent the unfamiliar.
Close your eyes for a second, if you will. Are they closed? Good! Now I want you to picture in your mind a hamster wheel, with a little fluffy hamster going round and round. Cute, huh? Now, I want you picture a life size hamster wheel, and replace that cute little fluffy hamster, with the cute fluffy adult that you see when you look in the mirror…. wait, scratch the fluffy part (whewwwww)! Ok… focus! Picture yourself on that adult sized hamster wheel. Is it as cute as the first image? Chances are, you might definitely be cute, but the image of yourself panting endlessly on that wheel might leave a little something more to be desired.
We know we have somewhere else to go, but there seems to be a refuge in repetition which leads to faulty functioning in the familiar. When I say faulty function, I simply mean we are moving but not going anywhere, so that means there is a fault in our chosen vehicle of ascension (ie. the hamster wheel). We think we are doing whole lot because our feet are moving, but we never stopped to notice that our hearts (passion) were left behind and we just keep running in circles anyway.
I heard someone close to me say to someone else “you’re doing too much and not enough at the same time” (cue eyeroll because he’ll want his credit)! I had to laugh in this moment, because a hamster on a wheel is the perfect illustration for this li’l piece of wisdom (inside joke). Now, this may not be what he meant, but it’s the image that popped up in my mind. We continue to travel paths we’ve already traveled because we are already familiar with the terrain. We can navigate the familiar, while we circumvent the unknown.
Depending on what you’ve learned, what you’ve been taught, or what you may have experienced; you might think that there is only one path to where you’re going. ALERT: THERE ARE ALTERNATE ROUTES! But, the only way to discover what’s out there is to deviate from your familiar “path of limited possibilities” and travel the unexpected route.
Expectation tends to dictate our movements. But whose expectations are dictating your movements? I think when we overthink (obviously those words alone let you know that I am one of the ones I speak of-lol), we tend to mush all expectations together without realizing that some of the pressure we feel is self-inflicted. Some of that pressure is often because of that annoying need to please or you do what you think others expect. I truly believe that the only expectation people who love you have is to be true to yourself. When your mind catches up to that reality, you will then know that your “wheel” can actually be cleared for exit. You have the power to get off, open the cage, and release yourself. You’ve always had it.
Sometimes we stay on that proverbial “hamster wheel”, because we know the outcome, we know the route, and we know what to expect. Hamsters instinctively run and their wheel is designed for them to do just that. Your path is predetermined and far more intricate because it is designed for you to soar, so you have to move beyond circles. When we travel without self-imposed restrictions, the insurmountable becomes conquerable when we stop running and decide to climb instead. In the words of Warren G, “Regulators, Mount Up”!
Don’t be afraid to break your own cycles. Trade in your hamster wheel. You don’t need it where you’re going!
Song Reference: Destiny-Tina Campbell (shout a little)
Song Reference: The Climb-Miley Cyrus (climb)
Song Reference: Going In Circles-Friends of Distinction (and get of the wheel)
Life Is But A Song 