Be9ing: The Art of Maintaining What Matters

In our quest for self-improvement, we often focus exclusively on becoming something new – fitter, smarter, more successful. But what about the parts of our lives that are already beautiful and that we wish to preserve? Today, I want to explore an equally important aspect of Be9ing: continuing to be what we already value in ourselves.

The Garden of Being

I've been happily married for over 20 years now, and "Happily Married" remains prominently on my Be9ing list. This might seem strange at first – why list something you already are? The answer lies in a simple truth: the most valuable states of being require ongoing attention.

A happy marriage, like a beautiful garden, doesn't maintain itself. You can enjoy sitting in your garden today, admiring the flowers and breathing in the fragrant air, but without regular care, nature takes its course. Gradually, weeds appear. Brambles creep in. Nettles find their way through cracks in the stonework. Before you know it, what was once a source of joy becomes overgrown and unwelcoming.

The Maintenance Mindset

This principle extends to many areas of our lives:

1. Health Maintenance - Once you've achieved fitness, maintaining it requires ongoing commitment
2. Knowledge Retention - Skills and knowledge fade without practice and refreshment
3. Friendship Preservation - Even the strongest friendships need regular connection
4. Emotional Balance - Mental wellbeing requires continuous attention
5. Value Alignment - Living according to your values is a daily practice

Practical Ways to Maintain What Matters

Here are some approaches that have helped me maintain what I value:

• Regular Check-ins - Schedule time to reflect on what's working well and what needs attention
• Gratitude Practice - Actively appreciating what you have helps protect it from neglect
• Preventative Care - Address small issues before they become major problems
• Celebration - Marking milestones reinforces the importance of what you're maintaining
• Community - Surrounding yourself with others who value similar things provides support

Remember that "being" is not a passive state – it's an active practice. The things we cherish most often require the most vigilant care.

What aspects of your life do you want to continue being? What gardens in your life deserve your ongoing attention?