Doing More and Doing Less
Aug 30, 2023
I did something this week I've never done before. I went with a friend to a group workout session including rowing machines, weights, and treadmills. It was intense and totally stretched me in where I am with my physical recovery. And I loved it! My body loved it and my brain loved it and my spirit loved it.
I'm going to be honest, if I had been alone in my condo gym, I would have probably only done one fourth of the workout I did there. Something about the energy of being there doing it with all the people was unexpectedly invigorating, and it supported me and encouraged me to keep going. I needed some accommodations because of my physical abilities, but it was beautiful to be a part of the collective in a way I didn't know I could.
My neuro doctor told me at my appointment in July that I needed to increase my physical activity to increase the neuroplasticity of the brain. That seemed so challenging to me. As I took it to the Lord in prayer and pondering to figure out what that should look like, the answer just fell into my lap. Well, actually she sat next to me on the couch. We were both waiting for our kids at youth night at the church, and somehow the miracle just happened and I knew it was the right step for me.
In this case, the answer I needed to grow in the way I needed to grow was to do more. I needed to add something to my life that pushes me far beyond my comfort zone and requires a lot more effort from me than I have been giving in that area. This will bring growth!
At the same time, I am also experiencing growth in another area. I am a recovering codependent. Overcoming codependency means not taking on the issues of others. It means doing less. Recently I've gotten to repent of some things and change some patterns related to this. (Celebrating Step 8, for those of you familiar with the 12-Step program. 😃)
While it has been tricky to untangle in my brain what is mine and what is not, it has been so healing. In doing this work, I am honoring my agency and also honoring and supporting the full agency of those around me. I am doing better at living Heavenly Father's plan. And that means doing less. Less expectations, less perfectionism, less anxiety about it working out just right, less trying to control things.
Truthfully, doing less can be just as hard as doing more. Both ways stretch us out of our comfort zone. And both ways lead to beautiful growth! This is why we can't compare ourselves to others. Growth comes individually by tuning into the "more and less factor." You don't need more of it just because someone else has more of it, and just because someone else doesn't need it doesn't mean it's not the next needful step for you. What does your growth point look like?
Perhaps a great journal prompt to apply this personally is to reflect on these questions...
Are there beliefs or behaviors in my life that would be good for me to have less of?
Are there beliefs or behaviors in my life I want to encourage and work at so I can have more of the fruits that come from them?
Reflecting on these questions may help you determine where your growth point is. Open your eyes to what you may need more of or less of to bring greater peace and joy to your heart.
