In this episode, Chris explores the balance between ambition and contentment. He discusses the importance of recognising the gap between what we have and what we want, and how managing this gap can lead to greater happiness. Chris delves into the roles of vision, inspiration, and purpose, and offers practical advice on maintaining motivation without succumbing to stress. Tune in to learn how to keep it real, keep it messy, and keep practicing.

PODCAST

Introduction

Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are. This is Chris, coming to you from indoors on a freezing cold, rainy Sunday afternoon. Despite the weather, I’ve decided to do a really interesting podcast today. Our motto is to keep it real, keep it messy, and keep practicing. So, let’s dive into today’s topic.

Recognising the Gap

From time to time, we all experience a gap between what we have and what we want. This gap can manifest in various aspects of our lives, whether it’s in our relationships, sporting performance, or financial situation. Recognising this gap is healthy because it serves as motivation, helping us bridge the distance between our current state and our desired state.

A Different Perspective

It’s important to understand that having a gap between what you have and what you want is healthy, as long as it doesn’t cause unhappiness. It may sound contradictory, but you can be very happy with what you have while still aspiring for more. The key is to ensure the gap isn’t too big, maintaining a balance that keeps you motivated without causing stress.

Vision, Inspiration, and Purpose

Your vision represents what you want, your inspiration reflects what you have, and your purpose remains constant, guiding you through life’s challenges. Purpose is the resilience that helps you endure anything. While vision and inspiration require emotional engagement, purpose is the unwavering force that drives you forward.

The Role of Desire

Desire plays a crucial role in human happiness. A certain degree of desire keeps you engaged and enthusiastic. However, when desire gets out of control, leading to stress, depression, and dissatisfaction, it becomes detrimental. It’s essential to manage desire to ensure it motivates rather than causes suffering.

Finding the Right Balance

Nobody wants less in life; we all seek more love, fun, health, happiness, and success. However, excessive desire can lead to suffering. The antidote is to want what is not too far from what you have, ensuring the gap between your current state and your goals is manageable. This balance prevents the toxic effects of unrealistic ambitions.

The Vision Quest Process

To maintain a healthy gap, break down your vision into achievable goals, goals into stepping stones, and stepping stones into daily habits. This approach keeps you focused on the present, fostering contentment and motivation. Small, manageable gaps ensure positive reinforcement, inspiration, and engagement.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing the gap between what you have and what you want is crucial for happiness. Balancing living in the now with setting goals creates a harmonious approach to life. This balanced perspective, rooted in nature’s wisdom, ensures both contentment and motivation.

This is Chris, wishing you a beautiful day. If you know someone who could use a reality check, share this message with them. Thanks for tuning in, and remember to keep it real, keep it messy, and keep practicing. See you soon!