There is a prevailing notion that one must first surpass the threshold of survival before they can aspire to thrive. That we must first get our affairs in order, secure a firm foundation of emotional and physical health, attain a required level of security in in one’s abilities and confidence in one’s aspirations; and only then, when we have reached the glorious status of “having our s**t together”, will we be ready to thrive. Thriving is building all of those good habits, practising mastery in that skill, starting that creative project, and so on and so forth.
(I have no evidence that this notion is a prevailing one anywhere other than my brain. But then again, this is my blog so I’ll claim and disclaim as I please.)
But we don’t just get to thrive from some point in time forevermore. We have to chase it, corner it, reel it in, let it go, catch it again. To thrive, is itself a practise in survival. Breaking a bad habit is like an infinite hurdle run, where the hurdles only get farther apart as you progress. And some we will trip on, but we must leap back up to finish the race. Making a new habit is a similarly gruelling process.
To thrive is to accept your perpetually imperfect state, but all the same to be tenacious and fiercely resilient to setbacks as you race for prosperity and happiness.
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