What Are You Waiting For? Start Now — Part 3

 

Whenever we want to do something, there is usually a sense of necessity behind it.

There is some reason we feel that something needs to be done. Things do not simply happen on their own while we remain still. Usually, some need arises first, and that need moves us toward action.

But not every need has the same strength.

Some needs are weak. Some are moderate. Some are very strong.

Depending on how strong that sense of necessity is, the way we act begins to change.

The size of our effort changes.

The speed of our action changes.

The amount of energy we put into something also changes.

If we feel that something is only slightly necessary, we may do only a little.

If we feel that it is moderately necessary, we may put in a moderate amount of effort.

But if we feel that something is extremely important and necessary, we may pursue it with much greater determination and strength.

This is why the way we approach a task can be very different.

Sometimes we push forward strongly.

Sometimes we move carefully.

Sometimes we hesitate and proceed only a little at a time.

Before beginning something, it may be helpful to ask ourselves:

How strongly do I really want to do this?

Do I want to pursue it with determination?

Do I only want to do enough?

Or do I feel like trying it briefly and then stopping?

The state of mind we create can influence the way we act.

Speed is similar.

Do we want to do something quickly?

Do we want to take our time?

Or do we want to move slowly and carefully while watching what happens?

To act urgently, there must first be some sense of urgency within us.

Without that feeling, it is difficult to move urgently.

Imagine that someone suddenly reaches toward you.

Will you quickly move away?

Will you react slowly?

Or will you remain where you are?

Our reactions are also connected to patterns that have developed within us.

People sometimes describe this by saying that someone has quick reflexes or good athletic ability. But even these reactions can be influenced by repeated experiences and the thoughts and responses that have developed over time.

For example, perhaps you disliked being touched unexpectedly in the past.

Because of that experience, you may have developed a habit of moving away quickly before someone gets too close.

As that response is repeated, your reactions may become faster.

If that same pattern begins to appear in other areas of life, it might make you more impatient.

In another situation, it might help you react more quickly in sports or physical activity.

In this way, the thoughts, habits, and reactions within us can gradually develop and spread into different parts of our lives.

When we observe ourselves carefully, we may begin to notice these patterns.

But when we do not look closely, they are difficult to recognize.

Much of the time, we act using patterns that have already been created within us.

However, after understanding this, we may also discover something important:

We can begin to create new patterns intentionally.

We can develop a stronger sense of necessity where it is needed.

We can learn to slow ourselves down when patience is necessary.

We can strengthen determination when something truly matters.

And we can change the way we respond instead of simply being carried along by old habits.

From my own experience, I believe this is a very important idea.

It can be applied to almost everything we do.

Understanding how necessity, thought, emotion, and action are connected may give us an opportunity to create the kind of mind we need for the direction in which we want to go.

What are your thoughts on this idea?