Resting on Your Laurels

You have accomplished Big Things! Even if this means that You have survived your life until now. If you are reading this blog posting, obviously you are still alive and have accomplished learning to read and to somehow find these posted thoughts and words. If you really thought about this, you would realize that you living your life to this point in human time and the skill to find and read these words is a Miracle! But, Do Not Rest on your laurels.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, online defines “Resting on Your Laurels” as: to be satisfied with past success and do nothing to achieve further success.
(Merriam-Webster https://www.merriam-webster.com)

Some people I have come across in my pilgrimage through life, tell me, boast to me, about their accomplishments, even ones which are decades old. This is great. I learn two things. First, that my communication partner has had success (or failure) in the past and I can celebrate that they were proud regarding this accomplishment. If they are passionate about this accomplishment and if I resonate with this experience, then we can have an expanded conversation about this occurrence. Second, if this comes up in conversation more than a few times, I can surmise that they are still processing this event or they are “stuck.” And, depending on how this plays out, I may Judge that they are “Resting on their Laurels.” Some people are humble and grudgingly admit to these past successes or events and then move on because they realize that living in past accomplishments is rarely worth the time and effort in the present moment and possibly not worth basking in for the future. Many famous or important people receive awards like the Nobel Prize years after their accomplishment in recognition of something done in the past. A very great honor and there is a monetary award that goes along with this award however, they are often further along their path and working on other projects by the time the award is presented. They are “doers” and are not waiting around for this award’s recognition. For these creators/inventors, the “prize” was in the “doing” not the recognition.

Some people have had trauma in their lives and have not resolved this experience from their past. Perhaps, it may take more than one lifetime to sort this out fully. I can not prove this multi-life resolution process but I consider this a possibility. My point is not that trauma can and needs to be resolved, but, some people create a revolving life around this experience and can repeatedly share this past event with witnesses. Then, it becomes a challenging lesson for each person who is involved in the interaction. There is a point where a shared rumination can change into a less empathetic response as the witness moves from being most fully supportive to a level of annoyance with the ongoing, unresolved drama. (I will fully support, in an ongoing way, anyone who is processing a major life event AND there are limits when the cycle repeats and no apparent progress is seemingly made. This then becomes my lesson.)

Likewise, repeated boasting of past experience, travel, even successes can reach a point of diminishing returns. There is another response possible, like humility. For every human success which has come my way, I realize that this or something greater has been accomplished by other people. We may have something in common by succeeding on a similar project but there is only so much congratulatory “back slapping” before the shoulders can get sore. Let’s move on… Which brings us to the point, we are never too old to attempt new experiences or to try new things. Even if there is not enough time or energy to “master” some human skill or experience, we can still look forward to appreciation a new challenge AND to celebrate in the each moment as a unique miracle. The living is in attempting a new passion or a discovery into what is possible. An example, look up “Grandma Moses” who took up painting at the age 78 and created a new career for herself. She became “famous” for her painting in her 80’s. (BTW, she lived from 1860-1961.) Restatement: Living in the Past and Resting on One’s Laurels is an interesting way to live but may keep us swirling round and round in some eddy of your river of life… At some point, swim free of this eddy and continue moving down your life’s path less encumbered by past successes or traumas.

And remember, the Universe almost never says, “What have YOU done for ME lately!” However, the Divine Spirit loves it when you attempt new things to expand consciousness…

I know that You will continue exploring and learning new things. Your travels through life will take you into situations where you have an opportunity to meet new people, attempt new things, and join in adventures which you may have never considered before. You are NOT Resting on Your Laurels. You are Growing, changing, and Living! Along the way, remember to share your stories and your wisdom. Your attempt at sharing a wisdom learned is a gift to your witness and adds perspective for your learning process. DO NOT miss an opportunity to share your life’s wisdom AND it will help if you couch the learning in terms which apply to your witness’s life. (Restatement: make your story relevant to the witness.)

Thank you for your time and consideration. You are an Amazing Soul! YOU are a Miracle! Find Joy in every moment because each moment is a Blessing and Unique… Just like You…