Progress In The Making

I am here to remind you that you are exactly where you need to be. Lately, there’s an echo that many people are feeling restless and frustrated about life progressing too slowly or too quickly. They are reflected in statements such as:

There isn’t enough time to do everything I need to do.

Or,

I don’t feel like I am making any strides with fulfilling my goals.

It’s no secret that human timetables do not correspond with universal timetables. While we do our best to synchronize both timetables with careful planning and meaningful intentions, we never really know how—or when—things will fall in their place.

When things move quickly, we get anxious, believing we are not prepared or wondering how we will survive the demands to stay on top of everything. When results are delayed, we feel disappointed at the snail pace of our progress. On the other hand, if you have fast-tracked to success, you might even feel bad or become deeply discouraged when you realize you can no longer satisfy your goals as quickly as before. If your desired outcome is consistently postponed, you may become depressed or feel ashamed that you have not achieved what you have set out to do.

With either scenario, it makes you wonder when will you ever find a healthy balance of peace in this mix?

For children or adolescents, the challenging part about progress is often being compared against their peers. Things like academic standing or grades, athletic performance, and cooperative spirit are usually the most obvious markers. For adults, our progress is compared against societal expectations, including our own self-imposed timetables.

Why aren’t you married yet? When are you going to have a baby? Isn’t it time for a promotion? When are you going to launch that website?

It seems like there is no escape to the never-ending cycle of the too-fast-or-too-slow dynamic. Yet the universe has plans for us that don’t adhere to any sort of timetable. Can we learn to be more at peace with where we are now, honoring our work, and celebrating every step as a milestone regardless of our pace?

This is why I love teaching and consulting BaZi. It affords insight and appreciation that everyone has their own timetable. Some people realize their dreams as youngsters, while others flourish only in old age. Judging yourself based on your personal success, professional position, education or wealth is merely a yardstick. And if you have been feeling uneasy about the speed of your progress, it might be a sign that you need to cultivate and strengthen awareness within yourself. When you shift your perspective, you might be able to channel and transform your judgments into gratitude.

There’s a saying in BaZi: “Do not go against your destiny.” It means the directional flow of progress could mean sprinting ahead, cruising with leisure, or taking a U-turn. All of these directions serve a purpose and they manifest at the right place and at the right time for the right person. It’s essential to remember that every person fulfills their purpose when the time is right. Therefore, take pride in everything and make the most of every circumstance. Gratitude is a simple but powerful act of self-awareness.