TRYING – day 199 in a year of…

Day 199, February 11, 2017 @3:56 pm

I love trying, making efforts to have a better day, to be kinder and more compassionate, to talk less and listen more, to be more active and less sedentary. I love trying to be just a little better at everything than before. So easy to maintain status quo, dust my hands off and say good enough. I feel a bit of a hipocrate because that’s what I often say. But I am trying in this year of doing different.

There’s so many lessons in our everyday little things, little nuggets of wisdom. I see and hear them when I stop my chattering and fretting. I can hear the voice talking to me. Then I know what it is that I need to do – divine guidance. I take a moment to register it. It makes me feel good. It makes me smile.

img_0075-4That was the way it was this morning. It really is not easy to head out in the dark for a morning swim. The thought is nauseating but I also remember how good it feels after. So I head out. The fitness centre parking lot is pretty empty. The receptionist is just opening her desk. We give each other good mornings. I enter the empty locker room.

I was greeted by the life guard. The water was so still and blue, 3 ropes marking the empty lanes. I was elated as I waded into the warm water. A lane all to myself. No dodging another body. Nobody to grab my toes for going too slow. My solitary swim lasted 20 minutes but I had the lane to myself for 40 minutes. It was good enough. My back stroke is improving. Another Saturday morning swim. Will try again next week.

Swimming is fun. Life is good.

 

 

GUIDED BY THE LIGHT – AugustMoon Day 5

lighthouse

AugustMoon Day 5 Photo prompt

I could see a light in the distance but I wasn’t sure if I could make it that far. Should I try anyways, not knowing? Should I or shouldn’t I?  The tug of war begins.  I am worn out before the journey begins.

The light is waning.  I am losing resolve.  My ugly sister whispers in my ear.  Loser, you can’t do it!  I do not shush her.  I let the words sink in.  Is it true that I can’t do it? Would that make me a loser?  I feel anger rising up towards her, towards myself.

I breathe.  The anger is gone and so is the hesitation.  I take one step forward, remembering what my great, great, great forefather said.  A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.  The light brightens with each step I take.  It beckons me forth.  I am getting closer and closer.  I realize then that the light is a guide and not the end.  Success lies in trying and beginning.