Avoiding the Way
“While we are postponing, life speeds by.” — Seneca
The Obstacle
The Avoider would have us skip what is hard
And move on to what is seemingly less painful.
It avoids the important
Steers us toward the
Urgent
Comfortable
Familiar.
What we avoid
People
Conflicts
Aspirations
Project
Dreams
Does not go away.
It grows.
Living in the background
is constant
Unsettled stress.
We must deal with them eventually.
Projects
Tasks
Conflict.
Some things ee avoid our whole lives
Reconciliation
Dreams
Hobbies
Businesses
Pursuits
Inventions
Ideas
Our dreams…
The Avoider promises a less painful life
By not dealing with the issues the
Struggles
Setbacks
Failures.
It does not save us time
Make us more efficient
Create better relationships
Fulfil deep desires.
It does the opposite.
It robs us of resolution
Fulfillment
Purpose.
The Gift and Opportunity
Once we know the Avoiders voice
Methods
Reasons
Lies.
We can understand
What we’re avoiding
And why.
It avoids what’s important
Looks past our dreams
Aspirations
Hopes
The people in our lives
With the promise of something easier.
It reveals the truth
Accidentally.
When the Avoider tells us “Don’t”
We can turn and do exactly the opposite.
We can settle conflict
Begin tasks
Finish work left undone
Dive into projects
Resolve conflict
Follow dreams.
The Avoider is most easily defeated by
Looking past the urgent
And to the important.
The Practice of Self-Mastery
Notice the voice that tells us to skip what is hard
Identify what is being avoided and why
Separate the urgent from the important
Do exactly the opposite of what the Avoider demands
CHEAT CODE: NOTICE → DO THE OPPOSITE
