“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
~Abraham Lincoln
Do you want to be free of those bothersome habits that plague you? Then try arcing over. It’s an idea I just learned about, and I love the image. Taking off, soaring, and leaving the trouble behind as you expand into freedom that is unconditioned, limitless.
In any moment, we can make the choice to arc over. In fact, if change is to happen, we must arc over at some point. Picture yourself ready to walk forward into a familiar pattern with a familiar outcome that you know doesn’t serve you. You’ve walked into this quicksand countless times before, and you realize that it won’t get you the peace you really want.
You can step into this pattern, again – or you can arc over. Instead of being pulled down by the weight of your well-learned reactions, you look up, take flight, and arc over into freedom.
I’ve done it, and you can do it, too. You can break the ties with your ingrained habits, and arc over. Are you game?
Habits Are a Signal to Arc Over
Everything is useful when it comes to discovering the happiness we all long for. The appearance of a habit can be cause for celebration because you have the opportunity to arc over. It is a signal to wake up, be conscious, and connect with your deepest desire. Then, the choice is clear.
You can arc over anything:
- A behavioral pattern like overeating, smoking, or drinking.
- An urge to pick a fight or defend yourself.
- A habitual feeling such as heaviness when you wake up in the morning or fear that is unwarranted.
- A moment of being too busy to be kind and thoughtful.
- A grudge you’ve been holding – for how long?
- The stress you feel to accomplish too much.
- An addiction to a substance, behavior, or person.
- The need for approval.
- Self-critical thoughts.
The Choice to Arc Over
How do you do it? Arcing over happens in the moment. You are faced with the well-worn groove of your habit that keeps you chained to the past, and you make the choice to launch instead. You say to yourself, “I’m not going to do this. I’m going to arc over.”
You enter the space of the unknown where you are free of concepts, beliefs, and expectations. You are present and alive.
Where you will land, no one can say. Because when you arc over, you open to all possibilities. You are willing to leap into the unfamiliar, you are available and receptive without the constriction of patterns that deaden you.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that arcing over is the panacea that will change everything once and for all. Many habits are deeply rooted and take some time to unwind. But every time you choose to arc over deconditions the habit. You are loosening the bonds and making space for what is fresh and new.
What holds you back from living as your fullest expression of yourself? What keeps you from realizing that happiness is always here? What brings suffering to your magnificent life? See it clearly, then arc over. You will be glad you did.
What do you need to arc over? How did it go? I’d love to hear…
Image credits: first, second, third
Clearly Composed says
Ohhhhh I like this post very much! For one it ties in a great word to a visual concept. I can feel the freedom and joy in picturing a perfectly executed leap and arcing over what would seem to be an obstacle if one wasn’t looking at it with the eyes of the possible.
I think I arc best and most often when it comes to not picking up on the negativity of others and getting stuck in the pattern of reacting. My arc then protects my own personal energy and mood and while I can offer compassion from mid leap I don’t have to bathe in their pain or wear it as my own.
Looking forward to finding more and more places where leaps and bounds are the way to go. 🙂
Gail Brenner says
I love this, Emma! You notice the possibility of getting drawn into people’s negativity, and instead you make the choice to arc over. And in doing that, you are free to offer compassion.
The light in your eyes shows the benefits of arcing over so beautifully.
Love to you…
Christopher Foster says
What a lovely idea and way to live Gail.
I’m doing a little ‘arcing over’ right now. It seems to me I haven’t heard from you for awhile. At my own blog, for instance.
But if I feel a potential of true connection or friendship with you that’s all that matters isn’t it? I arc over that foolish little gremlin in my mind. Thanks and blessings.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Chris,
Oh, please don’t take my absence at your blog personally. I have been quite busy, and energized by my work, and am doing my best to manage everything and keep some balance in my life. That means less internet time right now. I love what you offer over at The Happy Seeker, and I value our friendship. I have always felt you as a kindred spirit.
Arcing over gremlins in the mind – sounds like wisdom to me.
Thanks so much for visiting today.
Beth says
This post made me smile. Because of long past wounds, I have always disliked St. Patrick’s Day and faced the day each year with a mixture of dread and derision. When I woke up this morning, I decided to view the day differently and wore my brightest green blazer as an emblem of my new perspective. Without knowing it, I chose to “arc over” the old negativity and open myself to the day. It feels good to be free of the old and open to the possibilities of the new.
Gail Brenner says
What a beautiful story of arcing over, Beth! You could have moved forward into the old pattern of dread, but instead chose freedom.
This says it all: “It feels good to be free of the old and open to the possibilities of the new.” This is the possibility for all of us in any moment.
Thanks so much for the inspiration…
Gordon Simmons says
I think this is one of the most powerful sentences anyone can utter: ” . . .When I woke up this morning I decided . . .”
Great kudos to you for choosing to make a decision about how the day would unfold for you!
Galen Pearl says
What a wonderful image. You have written some very profound and insighful posts about habits. In fact, I have one of them copied and in my files. Since my blog focuses on habits as well, I’m always especially appreciative of your perspective.
Interesting post for me right now. Two of my daughters are struggling right now with relationship patterns that I recognize from my own life. Even though I have resolved this for myself, I briefly found myself falling into my old perspective on their behalf!
By that I mean that I was viewing their situation from my old perspective, an adversarial mindset. I saw myself doing that and thought, wow, this is a chance for me to do it differently (and it isn’t even my relationship!).
Their relationships are theirs to sort out, of course. I am staying out of that. But it was interesting to see that even in my own mind I was replaying old habits. They are deeply ingrained indeed.
But I’m arcing over, thanks to you!
Gail Brenner says
You speak so beautifully about habits and happiness on your site, Galen.
You have given the perfect description of arcing over. You see the mass of brambles you could potentially step into, but instead, you make the choice to arc over. We can choose suffering or freedom in every moment.
Thanks so much for sharing your comment.
Dave says
Taking that first step is always difficult, so “arcing over” is a great way to jump start a new process. Just take a flying jump and there you go, there’s no turning back.
Being the eternal realist I have to think about the sudden landing where I would continue the process at a more sustainable pace but I like the idea of starting off this way.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Dave. A warm welcome to you.
Interesting point you make about where you land when you arc over. I thought about that as I was writing the post, and wanted to keep it open, because we don’t know. When we make the choice to arc over, we are leaving the familiar habit and opening ourselves up to something new. Maybe we don’t land, maybe we land in a place that feels like an old groove, and we need to arc over again. Essentially, what is important is taking the step into freedom rather than suffering. The rest is out of our hands.
May you enjoy your flying jumps…
Joyce says
It’s a beautiful beautiful thing to be able to arc over and find freedom from our bad habits. I member a rocket trying to overcome the gravitational pull of the earth at first, but once it is able to let go, and it is free even to reach the moon!
Gail Brenner says
I love this image, Joyce, and it is the perfect next step to this post. When we really arc over in a big way, we leave the pull of our habits behind, and life is brimming with possibility.
Thanks so much for your inspiring comment!
Sandra / Always Well Within says
Hello Gail,
I love this idea and image of “arcing over” into freedom. The visual aspect of the idea really helps it to stick. I ready to “arc over” getting all stressed about visitors coming next week. I’ll be “arcing over” as I clean house and arc over the feeling of needing to be perfect or different. Simply perfect!
Gail Brenner says
Wow, Sandra, so much arcing over! I feel like I’m going to meet you up there somewhere, sailing over problems and letting habits be.
May your visit with your friends be filled with ease and heart…
Debbie @ Happy Maker says
Wonderful way to set yourself free. Just visualizing it makes me think I can fly. Love the way you express this Gail. Thank you for letting me know “I CAN FLY.” Debbie
Gail Brenner says
Yes, Debbie, you can choose not to enter troublesome patterns and arc over to be free of them.
We really don’t have to suffer – isn’t it great to know that?