What does it mean to thrive rather than strive? Merriam Webster defines thrive1 as “to grow vigorously” (i.e. to flourish) and “to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances” and strive2 as “to devote serious effort or energy” and “to struggle in opposition”. One word is life-giving, one word is soul draining. One word draws you higher toward your calling, one word reminds us that the struggle is real.
One of the most famous quotes from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Life moves fast. One day you’re getting off the school bus and the next minute you’re wondering what the heck happened to your neck! Sometimes we need to hit the proverbial pause button and take some time to examine our assumptions and paradigms.
Does your definition of success really match the track you’re on? Are you striving simply to meet the expectations of others, or are you thriving in your “so that” purpose? Of course we have obligations…the mortgage won’t pay itself…but there is also a lot more space between our necessary obligations and the exhausting expectations we assume are requirements.
I know that was true for me. (You can learn a bit about my Enough Life journey in blog post #34, “So That”.)
This month, spend some time examining your definition of success. Perhaps blog post #22, “Enough Success?” can help. What would your life, calendar, and wallet look like if you traded striving for thriving? Would there be one less meeting a week and one more walk in the park? Would there be one less, unnecessary drive through coffee drink and one more good book getting read?
Thriving takes intentionality, growth won’t just happen on its own. Whatever your “enough” point is you will find joy, peace, and satisfaction. Give some thought today to how you can flourish in 2025 rather than devoting all of your energy to pushing that rock uphill…whatever that rock is for you.
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1“Thrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrive. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
2“Strive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strive. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.