Focus on the process not the outcome🐣🐥

“Process tells us how. Purpose tells us why. But in reality, it is academic to draw a line between them, they are part of a continuum. Process and purpose are so welded to each other that it is impossible to mark where one leaves off and the other begins, or which is which. The very process of democratic participation is for the purpose of organization rather than to rid the alleys of dirt. Process is really purpose”- Saul.D.Alinsky.

I was reading these lines and got reminded of an incident few weeks back. I met a a mutual acquaintance (FOAF) regarding some work. After we finished, we casually exchanged a conversation on some brief description and basic traits of our kids. I mentioned how much my two daughters are poles apart each other.Her reply was “ that means you have no contribution in their being or to their life, they just are on their own in their respective nature”…. Jeepers!!! I was alarmed!….like….okay. It didnt click that very moment nor i took it seriously. As soon as i came home, it spurred me. Was’nt that too judgemental? Might be not. May be i am over thinking but i actually thought in-depth. Was it a question raised to my motherhood? My upbringing? My values? How can there be no contribution from my end? ( hope not sounding egoistic).If ever there is, then why the out come is so antipodal. Then and there some assumptions started galloping in my mind :

• No contribution from me( as she said) which proves they are opposites.
• Change of time and place(environment) in their key years of growth.
• Partial parenting.
• Unmatched ratio of contribution. May be i was hard on first and lineant on second so one is awesomely good and other is as awesomely bratty.( which is just not possible)…

…etc.

Silly me… i was in a wrong flow. Judging myself, I absolutely lost the track. How could I ? The literal conclusion is we both were wrong. I definitely did my part well. No more no less. I can, or anyone ;who know me can vouch on that. I am the gardener who planted the roses, took utmost care. Nourished them with water & manure, made sure they get enough sunlight, protected them from rains , storms or possibly any odds. Now when they bloomed, one turned out to be Rosa Grandiflora while other as cherry parfait ( varieties of roses). Well !!! well!!! Is this Gardner’s fault? Was his contribution partial? Nopes.

The tending process was same, the outcome was different. Process is in our control, outcome is not. What are are waiting for is less important than what happens to us when we are waiting? Focus.Trust the process.

“A process cannot be understood by stopping it. Understanding must move with the flow of the process, must join it and flow with it.” ― Frank Herbert

The process is quintessential part of our journey towards our outcomes. Appreciating it is a must. The day we plant seeds is not the day we harvest. Patience & perseverance are perhaps two siblings to process. So no excuses, please. Just be determined, giving your best. If. We figure out everything today, what’s the point of tomorrow?

Not mincing words further, trust the process. Focus on the process.Love the process. Articulate the process.Embrace the uncertainties.Enjoy the process of being “ work in progress”.

Your time is coming,be zesty: the outcomes will handle themselves and the results will gee-wizz🤩

Auf wiedersehen.

-Jimmy.

Image source: Instagram/Google.