Yet Here We Are

“Do not seek for events to happen as you wish, but wish for events to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.” — Epictetus

The Obstacle

We didn’t mean for this to happen.
We didn’t plan for this.
This is not how things were supposed to turn out.
Yet here we are.

Unmotivated
Tired
Sore
Sick
Cold
Raining.

We’d rather not.
We have better things to do.
This is not fun.

Perhaps we did this to ourselves.
The cost of what we did the night before
Causing the pain we’re feeling now.

Perhaps we decided to overextend
Over promise
Over book
Over commit
Overestimate
Now we sit in regret
Suffering.

Maybe we decided to neglect
Avoid
Procrastinate
So here we are.

We put ourselves in these situations
Then complain about why we’re here.

Even if this is not of our doing
Here we are.

We could be somewhere else
Doing something else
With someone else.
Feeling better.
More motivated
In less trying conditions
In a better circumstance.
With more tools
Knowledge
Abilities
Resources
Help.
It could be so much better.

Yet here we are.

The Gift and Opportunity

Who would you be?
Who you decide to be.

Who will show up?
Who you decide shows up.

The work needs done.
Conversations need to be had.
Meetings are booked.
Dogs need walked.
The body needs exercise.

Responsibilities don’t go away.
Obligations made are to be honored.

So we persist
Show up
Do the work
Honor the commitment.

We choose who we will be.
Who will show up.

We can set our intention
For how we show up.

We are here anyway
Choose to make the best of our time
Focus our energy
Decide what is important.

Choose our thoughts
Actions
Attitude
Focus
To make the best of the situation.
Perform the best we can.
Be resilient.

Be a good partner.
Teammate.
Parent.
Friend.
Leader.

We might not have chosen to be here.
Yet here we are.

The Practice of Self-Mastery

• Notice where we are resisting reality

• Decide how we will show up anyway

• Focus all energy on what matters now

• Perform with intention

• Lead yourself, don’ t be lead by thoughts, complaints and emotions

  CHEAT CODE: NOTICE → ACCEPT → CHOOSE WHO → EXECUTE