The word quagmire has two distinct meanings: the first one is, "a soft boggy area of land that gives way under foot; a kind of swamp, and the meaning of my middle name. The second meanining is, "an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation." And that is the one I will talk about today.
Each of us has our own personal quagmires in life. These are the things that cause us problems or keep us stuck; they're hazardous situations, for sure. Why hazardous? Because when we're stuck in the "mire" we're unable to move fluidly through life. Without fluid movement, life becomes monotonous, boring, predictable. All we can concentrate on is the future...getting over that next hurdle. Being able to move easily through life, without hang-ups, addictions, and fears is key to enjoying each day. You just can't live fully in the moment if you're stuck; worrying about the future causes pain and frustration.
My personal "quagmire" is over-eating. I always eat too many bugs, then worry about getting the weight off. Maybe food is your quagmire, too.
Whatever your own quagmire is, it's best to face it head-on. Dealing with the issues that most consume you will be freeing. Liberation from the chains that hold us captive, allows us to "swim" effortlessly through life.
Life is meant to be lived; to be enjoyed. It is not meant to deliver daily tortures that inflict emotional or physical pain.
Most New Year's Resolutions are made to extricate oneself from a perceived quagmire. Some of those resolutions are legitamate; others are not. Only upon closer examination, are you able to see what your true "quagmires" really are. The habits and fears we most need to change are the one that we find most difficult to let go. Change is hard. But it can be accomplished with dedication and resolve.
I will fight my need to overeat. I no longer want to be bound by my desire for just one more, tasty, fat bug. What about you? What quagmire do you need to be freed from? And be honest. I know you have one...maybe lots more than just one. When you release yourself, when you're not longer stuck in your personal bog, your life will become much better and far happier. And that is definitely worth the effort!