Repetition Creates Mastery

By Dominique Roy

a house with four rooms autumn autumn equinox body mind heart soul brahmaviharas compassion equanimity equinox fall four rooms habits holistic housekeeping joy karuna kindness letting go love loving mastery meditation metta mudita Patanjaliportia nelson repetition Rumer Godden Rumi Sarah Ban Breathnach simple abundance upeksha yogalove

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

Chapter I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes me forever to find my way out.

Chapter II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I'm in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in... it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V
I walk down another street.

Wisdom in simplicity. Whatever we do over and over again, we will eventually master. We will ultimately become experts of our own habits-- the good, the bad, and the ugly because practice absolutely makes perfect-- without exception.. even when it's in the wrong direction.

Human beings are creatures of habit. We cling to our familiar routines, rhythyms, and patterns. We hold on to people, places, and things long after they have lost their meaning, function, or benefit to our lives because we fear change.. and all the unfamiliars that go along with it.

Think about a situation, a house, a job, or a relationship where you may have stayed too long.. out of resistance, complacency, or fear of the unknown. What is really stopping you from making that shift, that change, that leap??? Homeostasis thats what. And attachment to the status quo. Yuck.

Now think about something you are passionate about.. something that brings you joy.. where repetition fosters vitality and generates more energy.

Imagine becoming an expert of whatever you love.. it is absolutely possible. Just keep doing it- again and again and again. Small repeated steps become new habits.. habits of excellence(yay!) or addiction (not so yay).

The awesome part is that we get to choose. Breaking free from autopilot grants freedom and paying attention to where we're spending our time, energy, and resources (over and over and over) shines light on what we are becoming masters of...

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

~Aristotle

Repetition creates mastery. Become a master of what you love. ❤️