For the past year or so, I’ve been barely writing. I used to write every day, but somewhere amidst the muddy whirlwind of life, I fell out of the habit. As much as I love writing, there was always something I wanted to do more.

It’s a painful thing to reflect on. I’ve watched more movies and shows in the past six months than in the two years preceding them, and I’m convinced I’m lesser for it. My entire life, my most constant love was putting pen to paper or hands to keyboard. My brain works best when spelled out in front of me, and I think a lot less clearly without it.

Lately I’ve been thinking about writing a lot, but I still find myself following the siren call of wants more often than not. Then, a couple nights ago, starting a reflection journal for the first time, I had a thought that led to a bit of a breakthrough.

Wants come and go. I don’t have to let them rob me of achieving my goals on their way through. As I thought more about it, I picked up my reflection journal and wrote.

Wants are temporary. Actions are not. Choose your actions based on your long term goals rather than temporary desires.

When I let my wants guide my actions, I was taking time from the actions that would grow me in the directions I actually wanted to go.

Last night, I wanted to watch a movie, eat something… anything but what I needed to do. Instead, I sat down and began to write.