The best goal is no goal

I read this: The Minimalists - Living with No Goals

In one of the links, it mentions instead of setting goals with per-determined, rigid outcomes (lose 10 pounds! Run 10 miles everyday! eat only carrots!) a gentler way to be with yourself is to see your actions as choices.

You could argue - tomAYto, tomAHto...having no goals is a goal in of itself. The key difference for me is mindset. Choices do not have an expiration date. They don't specify outcomes by deadlines as goals do in my mind. Choice removes of the idea of 'consequences' and 'failure' and 'disappointment'. For me it seems...nicer. More gentle, more forgiving. More loving. More of the things I want for myself.

There isn't anything anybody wants that is for any other reason than that they think they would feel better in having it. ---Abraham

Here are the things I am choosing today. I completely give myself permission to change any and all tomorrow, next week, next hour, whatever. But right now, in this moment, I choose to:

Have no goals, no expectations, no requirements, no mandate  

Live within my means - mentally, physically, emotionally, financially

Go 20 days without using my credit card 

Sit content in the fact that the clothes I own are enough   

Establish habits I enjoy   

Simplify  

Live out my personal ethics  

Practice Self Care

Dance.

I witnessed this through the power of television on Tuesday...

This quiet moment in the middle-ish of the show is what has stuck with me. I think it's a combination of the quiet softness of the music and Kate's flow with the juxtaposition of the sharp - but not hard hitting - staccato movements.  I love the choreographer Justine Giles musicality choices.And the camera angles were great - I didn't feel like I missed anything as sometimes happens.

And so...I've had Ben Howard's song stuck in my head ever since...

It's been on a loop for me for days. The building of the beginning up to the driving chorus, all done in a soft, almost ethereal way. And then it gently lets you go. I feel like Ben Howard's voice freezes time. This songs underlying vibration fills my chest - it inspires movement initiated from the heart.

Justine Giles, Kate and Neptune perfectly captured and executed what I feel in the music. It felt like we were getting a peek into their lives, their emotions, their journey. It's what I interpret as where I am in life right now. I am in a quieter place. And I am with someone who feels like a life partner - supportive, loving, respectful and stable. And yet, there's a constant goodbye going on with us where he takes a part of my heart with him when he goes. (I am absolutely fine with this, I like my alone time. I just miss him when he's gone which I think means I really like him :). 

Maybe it also hits home because I too am in an interracial relationship ;p