Challenging Aristotle: Unveiling the Path to Excellence and Habit

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit,”

attributed to Aristotle, carries profound truth, yet it is not the whole story. Let’s delve into the complexity of this concept and explore how we can cultivate excellence through conscious decisions and habits.

Complexity Beyond Habit

According to the quote, excellence emerges from conscious actions repeated over time, forming a habit. However, to me, it is more intricate. The process of becoming excellent involves successive stages—think, act, and then reflect.

First, we think based on what we believe to be true. Only when our beliefs are challenged or circumstances change do we have the opportunity to act differently and hence, potentially, more excellently. Thinking, acting, and reflecting are intertwined processes that define our journey toward excellence.

The Role of Repetition in Cultivating Habits

It is undeniably true that the mind works in an automatic way when performing repeated actions. This is the very essence of habit formation. The more we repeat something, the more ingrained it becomes, turning actions into habitual responses.

Yet, this does not diminish the importance of conscious decision-making. Excellence is always a choice, even if it becomes habitual through repetition.

Healing and Personal Development

The journey to excellence begins with healing. Our minds are often influenced by emotions and stress, which can cloud our perceptions and actions. It’s crucial to identify and release these blockages to open pathways for growth.

Cleaning Blocked Emotions: Emotions are like colored glasses that tint our perceptions. Clearing these emotional blockages is essential for mental clarity. Filling with Positive Emotions: Filling your heart with love, trust, and appreciation is paramount. These positive emotions foster a sense of responsibility for your own life and happiness. Finding Inner Peace: Cultivate an inner space of peace and joy. This is where your intuition will develop, helping you find the answers within.

For me, deep meditation is a powerful tool. It involves letting thoughts pass and guiding your life with your heart, leading to greater responsibility and self-awareness.

Emotional Flow and Balance

Emotions play a crucial role in our lives, much like water. If they flow freely, they are healthy and clear. If they stagnate or are blocked, they can cause harm.

Choose the right places to experience emotional release—never suppress them in the face of others. Find your inner peace and use deep meditation to develop intuition and emotional balance.

Becoming Wise and Harmonious

A wise person strives for a perfect balance between mind, feelings, and will, all aimed at becoming the best human being they can be. This balance is the core of wisdom.

Self-worth and self-esteem are built on loving, trusting, and appreciating oneself. These foundational emotions are necessary for genuine love and being loved by others.

Gratitude and Attitude Shift

Praises, blessings, and thankfulness should be part of our daily life. These attitudes reflect a shift in how we perceive and interact with the world. Instead of taking, we can now give and contribute to others.

This change in attitude can bring significant personal growth and happiness, leading to a more fulfilling life filled with love, trust, and appreciation.

In conclusion, while Aristotle’s quote highlights the importance of habit, it is the conscious decision and effort that transform us into excellent beings. Through introspection, emotional healing, and the development of a balanced mindset, we can achieve true excellence.