Commitment

“Commitment is not a word, it is an act.” Jean Paul Sartre

I’ve been thinking a lot about what is the first step to living a GREAT life.  Is there something you really want, and you know how to get it but just don’t take action?  I’ve said it before, the self help guru will tell me WHY I DO WHAT I DO, but nobody really explained WHY I DON’T DO WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO.  This question drives my studies, my theoretical framework, and my daily practice.  While I have a very long and complex model that explains this in detail, the first step I want to consider is the idea of commitment.

First, what is commitment?  Not just a definition, but what does commitment look like.  Commitment is not in thoughts or beliefs but a practice of a pattern of behaviors that direct my life.  What I am committed to, physically manifests itself into my life.  If I get stuck or feel stuck in an area, I ask myself am I committed to my goal or do I want something without having to take action toward it.  For example, I really want to be married with kids.  I think I’m committed to this desire. But my actions don’t support my claim.  I’d like a wife and kids, but if it happens, cool.  This is hardly commitment!

So what am I committed to?

I’m working toward building a set of disciplined behaviors that support my commitment to living a GREAT life one day at a time.  I’m committed to Gratitude, Recognizing and rejecting negativity, Excitement, Action, and Thanks.  I’m committed to living a life directed by love and not fear.  I’m committed to being happy.  I’m committed to telling a new story about myself that I never thougth was possible.   I’m committed to putting myself out into the world and being seen.  But does my behavior support my commitment?

Sadly, my behavior supports commitment to fear, isolation, loneliness, and commitment to an idea that I’m not enough.  But the GREAT life is not perfect.  The GREAT life is not a destination or a goal to achieve.  The GREAT life is a practice.  We practice the behaviors that make clear to all around us what we are committed to.  I’m not perfect in my commitment to the GREAT life.  I read a quote online (author, was unidentified) that read:

“Commitment is staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has past.”

When I started this blog I was excited and committed to living differently.  The work and action that it takes to prove my commitment is difficult, and on more than one occasion tried to convince me that this was not for me.  For today, I’m committed to the smallest actions that move me forward and keep me in gratitude for the GREAT life I am blessed to have.   Moving forward I find my commitment growing and expanding.  While each day is never perfect, it is GREAT, and I am so happy for all I have and all I’m committed to got.  I’m building commitment and with each mindful passing day, I’m building a practice that supports my commitment to my life and those I’m blessed to help.