“When you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things the chance to catch you.”-Heather
Chasing is what you do when you struggle feeling you are trying hard but never catch what you want to achieve. You chase from a place of worry, fear, and lack of trust that what you want will not come. Insecurities, self-doubt, and low self-esteem all fuel the need to chase. This leaves you depleted, tired, and sad often questioning, ‘Why is life so hard?’ On the other hand, attraction is a state of receiving.
You attract things to you because you trust they will come to you ensuring action that is in alignment. You are open to receive. You flow with it instead of fighting against it. Unfortunately, too often you are not confident enough to be patient and take yourself out of the present moment to chase what you want out of fear. The future does not exist, and the past is gone. The only meaningful place to live is in the present moment and that is where you will find what you are looking for.
To what degree are you chasing or pursing things with a fervent desire and intent to catch? When chasing, what and who are you are sacrificing? What is the impact of the sacrifice? What fears are driving you to chase? What must you stop chasing to have a better life of happiness and fulfillment? Below are the most common things chased:
Acceptance and Approval: Rather than chasing everyone else’s acceptance, approval, and love, approve of and love yourself first. Self-acceptance heals you from the desire to chase acceptance and approval from others that harms you. You do not have to chase true relationships The Dream: Be sure the dream you are chasing is yours versus
someone else’s.
Happiness: Happiness is a choice. Brene Brown said, “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness– it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”
Money/Material Things: Constantly sacrificing to get more money to buy more things because you believe it solves all your problems is a fallacy. Too often others are sacrificed in pursuit of it.
Outer Appearance: You feel pressure to look good and young, i.e., corrective surgery, covering gray hair, or diet supplements. You allow societal norms to determine if you are not beautiful enough or too old to live the life you choose. Chase inner peace and beauty over external beauty dictated by others.
The Past: Too many people who have lost relationships, careers, clients, or been mistreated in the past. Long past the loss they continually focus their attention on the past, what was lost, or what is missing in their lives. They are not able to move forward because their energy is misplaced chasing something that is gone. It is important to accept what happened to free yourself from your attachment to the past not living now and preparing for the future. Remember the past just do not chase after the past.
Perfection: Seeking perfection can cause you to see yourself through distorted eyes leading to torment should you fail to be perfect. Chase progress over perfection setting practical limits and realistic visions of achievement.
Power: There is a belief that where you have power you can control your destiny and bend others to your will. Power is intangible and it shifts over time. And when you lose your power, your emotional pain can be great.
Security: Nothing is 100% secure. Success comes with taking risks and uncomfortable action.
Success: Success is the realization of a particular goal. You judge and berate yourself and others for not attaining the goal even though success means something different to each of us. And goals change over time.
Work: Do not regret on your death bed that you worked so much missing a fulfilled life of what really matters to you, such as, family, friends, fun, and less stress. Human nature drives your desire to chase things in life due to human insecurities. Yet poor choices over what to chase and the degree to which you chase results in failure, dissatisfaction, and discontent. Life is already hard. Do not make it harder. You can have healthier outcomes and better mental health when you decide not to chase people, situations, attention, acceptance, or approval. Your job is to decipher who is genuine or not. Simplify your life and stop chasing after everything and accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.
"Do not ruin today with mourning yesterday or tomorrow.”- Catherynne M. Valente
Article Written by Gladys Agwai
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