by Cara Lumen
We sure can mess ourselves up with our own minds. We make things seem bigger and harder than they are. And we do it way too often. But all things are possible. We just have to take them one step at a time, one piece at a time and know we can do it.
The stack in the kitchen
I’m moving and I had gathered some things in the kitchen to give to Good Will. And then I looked at that pile and I thought about the 12 steps leading down from my apartment and I thought about how hot it was and I didn’t think I could do it. See how we mess ourselves up with our own minds. This went on for at least ten days with me eyeing that pile, thinking it would be very hard for me to get those bags down the steps and with each day the idea seemed harder and harder. Until today. A few moments ago.
It was relatively cool (80 degrees) and I decided this was the moment. So I picked up two bags and immediately realize they were not as heavy as I had decided they were with my ten days of worrying. I took them out to the top of the steps. Then I got two more bags. At this point in time I can’t walk down stairs without holding on so I had to find a different way. I decided to go down backward and lift the bags down one step at a time after me. So I did. One step at a time. Twelve steps and maybe three minutes later and I was down!!!! Getting them to the car was a snap. I felt so smug! I had done it by myself after all. An accomplishment!!!
What was left however, was a heavier box and my first thought was to leave that till another time, but hey, I was on a role and I thought how good I would feel if I completed it. So, although the box was a tad heavy I backed it down the steps and into the car. And I felt really, really pleased and proud of myself. And relieved to have that obstacle out of my way.
So here’s the lesson.
1. Things are not what they seem
Although that pile seemed larger and larger the longer I put it off, it really was only four bags and a box and the bags were light. But in my mind I had made it feel like I couldn’t do it. That I would have to get help. But I didn’t. I could do it and I did do it.
When faced with a situation, break it down into its simplest steps.
2. Everything is possible one step at a time
So what if I can’t do steps the regular way while carrying something. I can certainly figure out another way like backing down the steps.
Get creative in how you execute those smaller steps. Even if I had needed to take down one bag a day I could have eventually gotten it done.
3. Finish what you start
I am so glad I took the last box. It was a little harder than the rest but it completed what I set out to do. Completion is extremely satisfying.
Finish what you set out to do. Even that one little piece completed is progress.
4. You can do it if you believe you can
I’m glad I figured out how to do it by myself because that means I now know I can do a lot of other things by myself that I thought I couldn’t do any more. I just have to set about doing them one step at a time and believe I can do it.
What is your mind messing with today?
©2010 Cara Lumen
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