PROGRESSION AND REGRESSION

I’ve been thinking a lot about progression and regression lately and how we all have, and need (yes, need), both of these cycles in our lives. I know we would (most likely) prefer to be living what I call the “high life” everyday, but well, I think we all know this is not the case.

For me, the "high life" is a mindset of feeling high on life (and not with the help of drugs or Miller beer!). It’s a feeling you get when you’re in a period of growth. When you experience pure joy. When you're in the flow of life, so you aren’t struggling to get things done. And life doesn’t seem to have limits or boundaries. You might be constantly satisfied in your daily life because everything seems to be working in your favor. In these moments, you can’t help but feel anything besides high on life. This is the “high life.”

I’m thinking about this today because I’ve had a few meditation students recently mention they feel like they’re “slacking” because, well, life happened (as it always does). They aren’t meditating as often or they feel stuck because their growth has "stalled" after consistently experiencing major personal shifts in a short period of time.

And because in all honestly, I'm personally feeling like the last two days of my European adventures had me going through a bit of a regression, or so I feel.

Before I go any further though, I want to first look at the definitions of regression and progression.

• Regression: a return to a former or less developed state
• Progression: the process of developing or moving gradually towards a more advanced state

Pretty simple, but I love the exercise of reading actual definitions of words so I can understand them more clearly. Especially when I see a definition like progression.

Side note: The older I get, the more I appreciate ancient tools I never liked to use, such as the dictionary!

Time to get back on track :)

… moving GRADUALLY towards a more advanced state

Gradually being the key word here for the word progression. And I love this definition because of the simple reminder it brings me about the need to slow down and let life flow through me, rather than trying to force experiences to happen so I can progress, or evolve, more quickly. 

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the airport heading back to the great land of the US of A. I’m experiencing nostalgia over the experiences I’ve had the last several weeks, but also excited to return home and get back into a routine because I know this will help put me back into a state of progression.

That routine is primarily focused on getting back into my daily meditation practice (yes, there have been quite a few days recently when I haven’t gotten in a meditation), detoxing, exercising regularly and slowing down so I can reconnect with myself. 

The last stop of my trip was Venice. And these two days in Venice were especially interesting. It seemed as if things were constantly working themselves out in ways I hadn’t imagined, hence my current feelings of being in a regression cycle. Here are a few things that happened just to give you an idea.

I had a bottle of beer nearly drop directly on top of my foot in the grocery store, so my feet and sandals were soaked in beer as I was adventuring in Venice on day 1. Then when I arrived back at my hotel room (at 11 PM might I add) I learned that somehow my room was double booked and I needed to pack up and move to another room. I had issues with my day pass for the Venice water taxis on day 2, so my plans for my last day got completely shifted and I didn't get to visit two of the islands I had planned. 

And a whole host of other events happened.

These experiences might not seem like big a deal to all of you, but when I was in Greece, I was feeling really connected to my mind, body and soul. I was taking movement classes and meditating every day, if not twice a day. The most beautiful experiences were unfolding before my eyes and I felt ONE with my body. I was living the "high life."

Now don’t get me wrong, I soaked up every last minute I could get in Europe, so I was “living large” lets say. I gave myself every excuse in the book to eat more pasta, gelato, bread and cheese. But the lack of healthy food, daily meditation, journaling practices and consistent speed at which I was moving has me worn out and feeling disconnected with myself (my idea of regression).

Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t change these choices for the world because I had an absolutely amazing last few days in Europe. However, I'm realizing I needed this “regression” to remind me of how important these practices are in order for me to feel my best, think clearly, feel energized and have an overall healthy state of wellbeing.

This regression also has me thinking about how we all progress and regress in some way, shape or form almost everyday (lucky us!). I’ll be the first to admit that regression doesn’t feel good in the moment. Sometimes I feel guilty or get mad at myself for “letting myself down.” I even shame myself with negative self talk.

But, I’m learning that I need this regression in order to see my desired path more clearly. It reminds me of the things that are now my priority. It helps me get back on track, when needed, so I can continue down the “yellow brick road." How beautiful is this! 

Thanks to regression, I’m also reminding myself that if I choose to see experiences as regressions, one day I will appreciate the sweetness of the progression that much more. So I’m beginning to welcome the feeling of regression with open arms because at some point I know I’ll see the beauty in the regression. #thereisalwayssomethingbeautiful

And quite honestly, this regression is giving me momentum. It’s momentum to spring forward further down my desired path. So this regression is turning into motivation.

Think of it this way. Regression could be your motivation to finally have the tough conversation that you know will bring you inner peace, but you’ve been putting off. It could be the motivation to take a giant leap of faith that will bring you more joy. Motivation to make the changes necessary for you to experience more love, wonder, grace and compassion in your life. So what is there not to like about regression (besides of course the temporary feeling of fear, anger, judgement, greed, doubt, etc.)?

Sometimes we don’t realize it, but we exist in a world of enormous duality. The sun rises and sets (we can also think of this as light and darkness). We have female and male. Sleeping and waking states. Pain and pleasure. Life and death. War and peace. Up and down. Negative and positive. We need this duality, or opposites, for the world to evolve.

Maybe if we begin to think of these states of progression and regression as cycles vs giving them negative labels, we will find more peace in our experiences. In the end, we generally find that each cycle of progression and regression brings with it a new perspective of life. And each cycle is an opportunity to learn and experience things that will help us evolve as humans.

So my beloved friends, know that you’re not alone. Know that every soul experiences both regression and progression. And remember we need regression to give us the momentum to spring forward into states of progression. And remind yourself that without regression, the sweetness of the progression wouldn’t taste as good. We can’t live in a constant state of bliss and progression because of the duality of life - plus that isn't as fun.

Life is a journey, not a destination.

May you find sweetness in every moment of progression AND regression you experience. Hugs to you all!