When it comes to personal character development, many of us find ourselves working hard to gain mastery over a certain behavior or trait. Staying patient with our kids, being kind to our spouse, limiting screen time, cultivating generosity or maintaining healthy eating habits.
We might succeed for a while, feeling proud of our progress, only to suddenly stumble and find ourselves in the same struggle again. It can feel like we’re right back where we started. The battle is just as hard as ever, and we begin to wonder: Have I made any real progress? Did any of my efforts even matter?
This can leave us feeling dejected and drained. How do we stay motivated if it all seems like a never-ending cycle?
Here’s the necessary paradigm shift: Instead of focusing on whether we’ve permanently overcome the issue, we ask a much simpler, more powerful question. What’s the right thing to do right now, in this moment? That’s where our energy belongs, making the best possible choice with what’s in front of us right now.
Will we still be making the right choice a week from now? A month from now? That’s not ours to know, and it’s not the point. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
The good news is this: when we keep showing up and choosing well in the present moment, those small wins really do add up. Over time, they shape our character and move us forward. But we must remain humble and vigilant because true growth is rarely linear.
G-d didn’t place us here to be perfect. He placed us here to keep showing up, one small win at a time.