Choose Your Rut Carefully

“Choose your rut carefully: you’ll be in it for the next ten miles.” —road sign in upstate New York 

Good morning! I couldn’t help but laugh when I read this quote. Isn’t it the truth? Of course, the good news is that when we are on target, and focused, and following the pathway toward our dreams, even our “ruts” become part of that journey.

The ruts also become frustrating though, because they are usually in direct opposition to our goals. We want to “break out of the rut” and “get back on track” toward what really matters most. However, one important lesson that I learned from a former colleague is that often, the harder we try to get out of a rut, the more enmeshed in the rut we get.

Sometime we need to welcome the rut. It might be telling us something. It might be telling us that we are moving too fast, or moving in the wrong direction, or it might reveal some other important lesson to us. Every rut comes with a reason. The wise goal-seeker determines what lesson the rut has to teach and then proceeds on her journey.

Your Turn:

Instead of fighting out of the rut, welcome it. Take a break and think about what lesson this rut might be trying to reveal. Honor and listen. Then you will have the strength to walk away from it.

Today’s Affirmation:

I learn from the rut.

.........................Brook Noel.