Two Paths to Success

​Once, Pope Francis, speaking to a particular community, said this: “We pray for the poor and then we feed them. That’s how prayer works.”
 
I often hear people speak about the best way to make change in their lives or the life of the world. Some say it is most effective to focus the mind on positive thought, affirmations, visualizing the outcome you wish to materialize, emphasizing the good, and not allowing yourself to become distracted by what appears to be failing. Ultimately the path to success is through deepening your prayer life.
 
Others say that if you want positive change in your life you must set goals, plan out a particular strategy or direction, identify specific road blocks to your destination and how you will overcome these and notice where you have resources and support to assist you on your journey. Take a few steps and then evaluate the outcome. In other words, if you want to make positive change you must take action. 
 
Of course, both paths to making change are valid and helpful. One is not better than the other and it makes sense to apply both. What is more important is self-awareness. Which camp are you more likely to lean toward? Most of the time, what percentage of each do you draw from. Are you more likely to spend most of your time with affirmation and prayer or with planning and taking action or is it the other way around and how come?
 
We all have life experiences that will influence our decision to lean in one direction or another. This is not an exercise in judgement, but rather, getting to know ourselves better, taking an interest in how we operate and making friends with ourselves.
 
Routines can be very beneficial but getting into an unconscious rut usually isn’t.  Once my clients have discovered their general mode of operation, I encourage them to shake things up. This may be of help to you as well. If you are more likely to make elaborate plans in the direction of your goals, try to loosen the grip on this activity and spend more time in prayer, affirmation or visualization. It you don’t usually plan out your activities, spend more time with this endeavor. The mind is lazy and likes a rut, but this can become a debilitating habit over time. Take charge, rule your mind, rule your life.
 
I have been reading Sakyong Mipham’s book Ruling Your World: Ancient Strategies for Modern Life. In it he tells us “Exertion {taking action} is necessary to accomplish anything – spiritual or worldly.” He continues, “Exertion liberates us from laziness and takes us toward the joy {of positive accomplishment}.” Action is a necessary component for the joy of a meaningful life. 
 
To make positive change in our lives, and the life of the world, structure and plans are necessary, but once we have used these to set a path, it is engaging the mind and senses fully in our task that ultimately brings joy.
 
What are the mountains in your life that, with a healthy plan, a deeper prayer life, and positive action you could climb with greater ease and grace, one step at a time?

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