The risk of judging tomorrow by today
Five days into the New Year and you may already feel defeated. This is the risk of putting a big emphasis on new starts; they can soon feel just like old times. Rarely do days and lives make radical turns. Life is typically more subtle.
Small steps. Slow beginnings. Turning Tides.
Any given day may bring defeat, but that doesn't mean we should start adding up losses and gains. Perseverance is always challenging, but it's especially difficult if we're constantly keeping track of our wins and losses.
I absolutely adore this poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on this point.
Read it slowly and linger over the final line.
In The Harbour: Loss And Gain
When I compare What I have lost with what I have gained, What I have missed with what attained, Little room do I find for pride.
I am aware How many days have been idly spent; How like an arrow the good intent Has fallen short or been turned aside.
But who shall dare To measure loss and gain in this wise? Defeat may be victory in disguise; The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow