Momentum

It can sail us to the finish line of our goals. It can also swing us away from our goals. Momentum is a powerful force. It is the energy that surges after we aim and shoot to our goals.

Think about it scientifically. A decade and a half ago I learned in my high school science class that it takes more energy to start a ball rolling than to keep a ball rolling. The same can apply to habits and routines in our lives. It takes focus, determination, will power, and self-discipline to start eating right. After several weeks, however, eating healthy seems natural. Temptations come much less frequently. Momentum is carrying us to our goal.

The same kind of momentum can also lead us away from our goal though. Have you ever eaten past the point of being full—not because you’re hungry, but simply because you were spooning in the food at such a steady rate that the momentum kept you eating? I have. Have you ever eaten badly on a Monday and therefore eaten badly all week because it was easier to give into the momentum than to start afresh? I have done that too.

Momentum is a force, but it does not have a mind of its own. Nor does it start be itself. The power is in our hands. We are sitting on massive amount of power, ready to be unleashed into the direction we point. When it is unleashed, it will shoot us toward our goal…if we aim carefully.