This is my first post (well, the first one that I've published) since October 6th, 2016. But today it is possible.
First a wee bit of background to catch you up on what I've been up to during that time. In a chronological nutshell, my friend died suddenly, my son's father died suddenly, an old friend committed suicide, my husband of 17 years decided he didn't love me anymore and left, I witnessed the death of one of my dearest friends, I sold my house, I moved to Cobourg, my Mom's Alzheimer's is breaking my Dad's heart which in turn breaks mine. Yup, that pretty much covers it. Everybody has their stuff to go through and that's okay.
Fast forward to this morning. At this time of year in my WW meetings we've been talking about setting our Fall goals which for many of us seem to include getting back on track after the summer! No surprise there. We've talked about setting goals to start tracking again, start exercising again, start drinking more water again, start cooking and freezing in portions again etc, etc. etc....you get the idea, the things we always seem to be "getting back to" as WW's.
It's not been lost on me that as a WW Leader I should be setting an example and nailing at least a few of those but, other than drinking lots of Perrier, I'm not. And, like so many of you, even though I've always been a goal setter I'm finding it difficult to put those goals into action right now.
So I'm starting with the baby steps we so often talk about. As one WW member said when it came to getting back to tracking, "I just do it, it's not perfect and sometimes not accurate, but I just had to start the process." Genius! We just have to start the process! I think often we don't start because we project onto ourselves the need to be perfect, and who can be perfect? No one.
This morning as I sat down at my computer to check my email my inner voice said, "Today it is possible that I could go for a walk". Ummm, that's interesting but was possible and so I went. And the moment I started walking down the street my mind started churning out possibilities:
Today it is possible that I will walk farther than I walked yesterday.
Today it is possible that I will say "Hello" to another walker.
Today it is possible that I will feel like part of the community simply by walking in it.
Today it is possible that I will forgive.
Today it is possible that I will feel joy.
Today it is possible that food will not rule my day.
Today it is possible that I will meet a kindred spirit.
Today it is possible that I will set boundaries that take into account my comfort and happiness too.
Today it is possible that I will not eat through a stressful or sad moment.
Today it is possible that I will do something to make someone happy.
Today it is possible that someone will do something to make me happy.
Today it is possible that I will hear a particular song and not want to cry.
Today it is possible that memories will not make me feel sad but grateful to have made them.
Today it is possible that I will feel gratitude for everything that has happened in my life...everything.
Today it is possible that time does indeed heal all wounds.
Today it is possible that I will write a blog entry for the first time in almost 2 years.
Honestly there are too many to list, it was a long walk! Some were poignant, others were fun and but all sounded like goals, or to be precise, gentle goals. Then I got excited because I thought of my people and our goal setting strategies!
What if listing possibilities is a gentle way of putting our goals into action? Saying what is possible is not demanding and doesn't threaten us with failure. I found just reciting the words, "Today it is possible that..." made me feel calm, peaceful and hopeful. Many of us are afraid to set goals because we're afraid of failure. Afraid that by saying a goal out loud, or even to ourselves, that if we don't follow through we'll have to admit that we've failed...once again. It dawned on me as I was walking and stating possibilities that failure did not even enter my mind, that I didn't feel the threat of failure looming as it so often does. I felt as if they were already happening; "what you think you become, what you feel you attract, what you imagine you create."
I choose to also dwell in possibility. How about you?
This morning as I sat down at my computer to check my email my inner voice said, "Today it is possible that I could go for a walk". Ummm, that's interesting but was possible and so I went. And the moment I started walking down the street my mind started churning out possibilities:
Today it is possible that I will walk farther than I walked yesterday.
Today it is possible that I will say "Hello" to another walker.
Today it is possible that I will feel like part of the community simply by walking in it.
Today it is possible that I will forgive.
Today it is possible that I will feel joy.
Today it is possible that food will not rule my day.
Today it is possible that I will meet a kindred spirit.
Today it is possible that I will set boundaries that take into account my comfort and happiness too.
Today it is possible that I will not eat through a stressful or sad moment.
Today it is possible that I will do something to make someone happy.
Today it is possible that someone will do something to make me happy.
Today it is possible that I will hear a particular song and not want to cry.
Today it is possible that memories will not make me feel sad but grateful to have made them.
Today it is possible that I will feel gratitude for everything that has happened in my life...everything.
Today it is possible that time does indeed heal all wounds.
Today it is possible that I will write a blog entry for the first time in almost 2 years.
Honestly there are too many to list, it was a long walk! Some were poignant, others were fun and but all sounded like goals, or to be precise, gentle goals. Then I got excited because I thought of my people and our goal setting strategies!
What if listing possibilities is a gentle way of putting our goals into action? Saying what is possible is not demanding and doesn't threaten us with failure. I found just reciting the words, "Today it is possible that..." made me feel calm, peaceful and hopeful. Many of us are afraid to set goals because we're afraid of failure. Afraid that by saying a goal out loud, or even to ourselves, that if we don't follow through we'll have to admit that we've failed...once again. It dawned on me as I was walking and stating possibilities that failure did not even enter my mind, that I didn't feel the threat of failure looming as it so often does. I felt as if they were already happening; "what you think you become, what you feel you attract, what you imagine you create."
I choose to also dwell in possibility. How about you?
3 comments:
Well, doesn't that just make sense 😊 it is so true that my reason for not setting goals is I am afraid to fail. again . But I could possibly think about them and see what happens 😄 I am sad about all you have gone through but admire your attitude and determination. See you Friday.
thanks for sharing. I would love to use this idea in my meetings, I think a lot of people will connect with this concept. TODAY IT IS POSSIBLE !love it !
Laurie, I'm glad it makes sense! I hope stating possibilities will bring you the peace and hopefulness that it's brought to me. Joanne
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