Random Thoughts

(April 7, 2013)

While walking around the lake one day, it occurred to me, as it often does, how much I enjoy being able to breathe and what a blessing it is to be able to do so. (Too simple a truth for you? Try holding your breath for 30 seconds and see if YOU gain a newfound appreciation.) It also occurred to me, for the umpteenth time (often while jogging, if you can call what I do jogging), how much better I am likely to be able to breathe if only I took my asthma meds regularly as prescribed. Knowing that, what keeps me from doing so? More succinctly, applied to every area of my life, what keeps me from doing the things I know I should do? Why, when I know that the end result will be good, do I avoid doing that which not only will improve my well-being, but also will bring me to a desired end?

Is it skepticism? I know my asthma meds will help me breathe better, so no, it is not skepticism. Is it laziness? Maybe, but only marginally at best.

Fundamentally, what dissuades me from taking my asthma meds as prescribed is my apparent belief (confirmed by my actions, or lack thereof) that my current state is not so bad. That is, the status quo is (a) good enough, or (b) not bad enough, and therefore, change is not vital. I don’t know who said it first, but there’s a saying: “The enemy of the best often is the good.” Too often, I fall short of “the best,” because I am willing to settle for “good enough.”

It reminds me of a story I heard Les Brown tell. In the story, a dog is sitting on the ground, groaning. One man asks another, “Why is the dog groaning?” “Because he’s sitting on a nail,” says the other man. “Why doesn’t he just get up?” “Because it’s not hurting bad enough.”

I think of myself as an overachiever. That is NOT to say that I am successful in everything I do. It is to say, merely, that I AIM to exceed expectations. Yet, when I think of all of the proverbial nails I am sitting on because they’re not hurting badly enough for me to move, I am deeply humbled.

The thought that my willingness to settle may cause me to miss out on the abundant life laid out for me gives me pause. That I could miss out on the fabulous prize intended for me behind Door #3 because I settled for Door #1 conjures up the words of the fictitious Maxwell Smart. “Missed it by THAT much!”

That notion temporarily brings me back from my distractions, makes me revisit my goals, and reexamine my priorities. It makes me aware of the areas in which I have derailed and helps me focus on getting back on track. It makes me focus on my desired outcome.

Before I started reading for a living (as I like to say), I used to read 2-3 books per week. (After I got married, my Aunt told my husband, “Baby, I was afraid to tell you this before the wedding, but your wife will leave you for a good book.” — Lies!! All lies, I tell you! :-)) Many years ago, I developed the habit of reading the end first. That often determined whether I deemed the book worthy of my investment of time and money. I wanted to know where we were going to end up. To this day, when I’m trying to decide whether to purchase or read a book, I first skim through the last few pages.

In life, we can’t skim the last few pages, but we can begin with the end in mind. Stephen Covey referred to it as Habit #2 of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but the concept has been around for ages and is tried and true. You have to know what you want (ultimately) and keep that desired outcome in mind. Your goal (desired outcome) always should bring you back on track when you stray (and you will stray, because “life happens” and distractions are inevitable).

I have come to know the importance of learning to enjoy the journey, each step in its time, because the transformation is in the journey. The journey consists of taking the first step (toward your desired outcome) and then the next, and then the next, and so on. Every step of the journey is there for a reason and deserves its due. I also have come to learn the importance of focusing on the next step rather than the distance. When I focus on the distance, my mind often wants to tell me, “You can’t get there from here.” The truth is, I can if I take the 1st step and then the next, and so on. If I persist, if I persevere, I WILL get there!

What’s not hurting badly enough for you to get up? What “best” are you forfeiting because you’ve settled for “good enough?”

Perhaps there are some areas in which you, too, need to refocus on your desired outcome. All that remains is to begin! Take the first step in the direction of your goal(s), and then the next, and then the next, and so on.

Let the journey–and the transformation–begin!

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has power, and genius, and magic in it.” — [attributed to] Goethe