One foot in front of the other!!

One foot in front of the other!!
 
Sounds so damn simple doesn’t it? Sometimes though the reality is that it is where it starts. Being still does not bring us closer to our goals but sometimes brings us further away from them. Most things, almost all things in fact, do not come rolling at your feet for you to just pick them up. If you want it, then you have to go get it!!! With anxiety causing you fits and starts and stops, it can be real tough to take that step. It certainly does not seem as simple as one in front of the other, does it? No it does not and those who tell you to do it that way seem to think that they have the solution of a lifetime for you!! Let me let you in on something, just between us so they don’t get swollen heads, the idea is right but the view of the idea is wrong. I know, confusing isn’t it? What could I possibly mean by this? Well let me tell you.

First, the idea of one foot in front of the other seems to me to lead to a person walking and gaining momentum. When you picture this one foot theory, what do you see? I am willing to bet that you see someone moving quite well and not really struggling. Am I right? Here in lies the problem with the one step theory. Our vision and that of so many people is just that, one foot moving in front of the other. No mention of possible speeds but the perception of steady definite movement is there in your mind. Where did that come from? Well when you walk or run one foot must always go before the other and thus progress is made. Is it not also true though if you do it slowly? It is!!! Progress is progress is progress…. You take your steps at your pace!!

All of us should go at our own comfortable pace. Slow motion if we must, feet stuck in quicksand? Maybe you shuffle or maybe the steps are long and drawn out or small barely noticeable steps…. Did you notice them though? Ofcourse you did but you down played them because your steps do not match the picture of the one foot theory. So they simply are no good and you hesitate to even try another step. Why bother as you do not think, actually you know, you can’t move like you think you need too!! You know you can’t do it.

Well guess what!!! I am telling you that I have done it by taking whatever type of step I needed to take!!! I made it and sometimes you know I can walk just like that vision but yet other times, I still need to slow it way down to get there. The pace that is right and true for me. Not you, not them, but for me. My vision needs to be flexible and so does yours. Your eyes adjust when you look at things far away and close, so open your mind and let it do the exact same type of thing. Look far ahead and you think the steps are too big too far to get there but look down, look at right now. What do you need to do to move at all? It isn’t across the room, it isn’t down the street. Look right straight down… wiggle the toes..see em…feel em….they only need to move a little for progress to begin!! So what inside you can you do to make that initial movement forward? It only has to be as big as you want or are comfortable with!! You can surely try that now can’t you? I know you can because I did and I never could before because I was looking at it the wrong way, their way and not my way

It won’t always be easy but you can decide how to move!! Today I decided to move again and it wasn’t easy for me. I had been going to the gym everyday or pretty close to it. Then allergies kicked in and I missed a few days, a few days became a week, and then I knew I wanted to go back. I told myself I would and then envisioned myself on the machine. Each day I can up short and didn’t make it. I would pack my bag and maybe even make it to the truck. Then just didn’t make it. So what was I doing wrong? Why was I letting anxiety creep in my way? What was I afraid of? I don’t know but I do know I felt anxious each time I wanted to go. So I chose to let it win. I didn’t go and each day that happened it began to happen sooner and creep into other parts of my life.  I was getting stuck and was trying to stop it but I was looking way too big again. I was getting stuck because I lost focus. I didn’t know that though until a friend told me to get to the gym. I said I would and she told me the only way you get there is one foot in front of the other. It clicked for me as I realized I was looking to far ahead, me on the machine and sweating so much from not going, me not being able to do the same level as a week ago, me this and me that or would someone think were has he been and all of these other defeating thoughts. By looking to far ahead my anxiety was able to build and my stomach would feel upset and I just couldn’t make it. A million reasons came as to why not to get there!!! So how did I stop that and get there?

Well, today I woke up and I did a few things different. I just ate and did not turn on the computer as I was letting myself get stuck there and time would go bye and aid me in not going to the gym. So no computer, no tv, and no radio. Just me and a quick breakfast. My mind raced and looked for reason not to go but I knew that would happen. I told myself just to trust that it would be okay. No, I told myself that over and over. Trust yourself, you have done it and can do it, you are going to go today. Nothing negative!! Just positive thoughts and even when my stomach got those we will keep you here feelings I just told myself to use the bathroom and then trust myself to make it there. I went to my truck, told myself it was ok, drove and on the bridge I got pains in my stomach and I told myself it was okay, the gym was as far as it was now to go home, so I told myself I could make it to the gym if I could make it home, little steps my friends..not easy steps mind you but steps!! I neared the gym and felt kind of clammy but parked the truck and got out. Yup just got out and did not do anything like fidget. Trust myself, I got out and went in. I went to the locker room, my stomach was okay. So I went and worked out. I told myself just to do what I could and to be proud of making it this far. Not long into my workout I began to relax. I made it and had done it. You can do it!! I know you can because I did and never thought I could make it.

Each day or even many times a day you may face a battle but take little steps and then remember one foot in front of the other…. Do it your way, your pace, and you too will make it!!!!