We are naturally buoyant. 

Our "normal" state of being is to bob along the surface of life where nothing phases us and life feels comfortable and enjoyable.

Then, from time to time, something changes and we feel ourselves being sucked down into deeper, darker waters.  Grief, loss, financial stress, illness, family tensions and many other pressures simply pull us down into a period of our lives where we can feel like we are drowning.  Life is suffocating, dark and lonely.  But the cork that is held under the water will eventually "pop" up to the surface again.  And the deeper the cork has been held below the surface, the higher the cork will fly out of the water when it emerges.  So what can we learn from this?

We are born to float on the surface of our lives.  We are not meant to spend long periods in the darkness of despair and the universe is constantly applying pressure to lift us back to the surface.  On the surface we can see the sun, feel its warmth and float along the smaller waves that are a natural part of everyday life. 

But it is only during the darker periods of life, when we feel the  uncomfortable pressure around us, that we will experience the thrill that will eventually propel us like the cork to shoot above the surface of our despair and soar into the air of our possibilities.

Remember - the cork cannot leave the surface of the ordinary life unless it has been pushed down first....

So next time you enter a difficult period of your life and feel yourself sinking below the surface, remember that the universe is preparing you for the moment when you will shoot into the air and look down at the troubles that were previously holding you back.

The cork always returns to the surface.  It is naturally buoyant. Just like you and me.

So float like a cork and look forward and be ready for the moment when you fly into the air.   Because you will...

You may not consider yourself to be a perfectionist but how often do you put off getting started on a project, action or decision until everything is "just right"?

If you find yourself saying "I just need to..." or perhaps "I'll get started when..." or even "I'm not sure..." then it's likely that you are suffering from "Perfect Inaction".  This means that you aren't making any mistakes, learning from your decisions or creating opportunities to improve.  Why not?  Because by not taking any action at all, you are guaranteed not to get it wrong!

The only route to true progress, growth and fulfilled opportunty is to take Imperfect Action.   This is only three letters different to the word perfection, but makes a huge difference in the results that you can achieve.  Seeking perfection in your critical actions (those actions when we feel we have to consider every option before making a decision) is the enemy of progress.  Whilst we must consider our options carefully when we have important decisions to make or actions to take, we must take ACTION if anything is to change, improve or move forward.  

A vehicle that is never used and stays in showroom condition remains a perfect vehicle.  But it has to move out of the showroom and be driven if it is to have any real value and fulfil its purpose.

Your life is the same.

Never taking action until all circumstances are perfect may avoid the scratches and bumps of life, but your life has no value until it is driven with action.

So next time you are frozen by the fear of taking action before everything is perfect, remember that Imperfect Action is far better than Perfect Inaction.

One will keep you safe from the pain of learning.  The other will ensure you occasionally bruise from the pain of action.  But action is the key to progress.  Perfectionism is simply its enemy...