Hitting the Wall
I have been long accused of cramming way too much stuff into my days. Guilty as Charged.
However, I’ve realized after being accused of this for 30 years that it’s how I like it. Now don’t go getting all Dr. Phil on me… I don’t fill my days with nonsense just to feel “busy” or to avoid anything that I don’t want to acknowledge. I just love getting to the end of each day and feeling like I’ve been challenged, accomplished and learned something, and connected with others. Yes, EVERY DAY!
Consequently, every once in a while I hit a wall ? As I did last night flying back from Indiana. I got on the plane home with the full intention of crafting this week’s Musing and… nothing… I HIT A WALL!
Woke up this morning and had my “Oh sh*t” moment. No musing. No thought of what to write about. No idea. Nothing. I then remembered an article I read last night on the plane that mentioned the famous Chinese quote, “The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.” Brilliant!
First step: GET UP.
Second step: Make coffee.
Third step: Call Coop, my “platform guy,” and lament over my hit-a-wall-state and lack of Musing idea. As he always does, he saw the silver lining… “That’s it. You’ve got your Musing. Write about hitting the wall.”
So, while this musing isn’t the most thought-provoking or insightful–it is authentic. I’ve been told many times that I seem to have it “all together.” To that I say hogwash or (insert your favorite explicative). I guess the art of the illusion of having it all together is simply taking that first step. Then another. Then another. And quite often the step is a stumble, then insert famous Japanese (or your language of choice) quote, “Fall down 7 times get up 8.”
Miss Val proverb: “Step, step, step, stumble, get up, brush off, repeat.”
Thank you! I’ve hit a wall today (accidentally fell asleep while doing work, and know I need to push through this evening to get some stuff done). One. Step. At. A. Time.
One. Step. At. A. Time. Repeat…
Your musings never seem forced, which is great. Making a lesson out of Hitting the Wall is very meaningful. As you have explained, always moving forward productively is crucial even after stumbles and falls.
We appreciate you for being real and thorough. Posting for the sake of posting, with no substance behind it, would not be good.
Edwin, thank you for your response. When I first started this website I kept saying “What do I have to say of value?” It took Coop – fondly known as my “Platform Guy” – to remind me 1,000X that the only people that will read it are those that WANT to. I’m not forcing anyone to read my stuff. Your last comment is something I keep in mind all the time.
Ooooohhhhhh how I needed to hear this! I’m really hard on myself when I hit a wall. Does matter if it’s mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual. I also have a habit of comparing my worst to someone else’s best. Thank you for your honesty
Comparison is the thief of all Joy! And yet it’s soooooo hard not to compare. I’m with you on this….
Just like the wonderful Miss Val saying of success being defined by how determind one is to be successful! Miss Val, thank you for always sharing your wisdom with us! It takes great humility to write so authentically as you do and it is greatly appreciated (even if I’m only 16!).
Alessandra ~ wow you are only 16 and read my musings. That made my day! What has been your favorite musing so far?
I’ve just glanced through as many as I could remember, and although there are certainly many which could be winners, I think I must choose ‘The Contagion of Kindness’. It is so very true and I found it to be very uplifting, especially when I find that sometimes my efforts of kindness at home are not always recieved as ‘kindly’ as they are intended, so it is wonderful to get encouragement like this from others! If it is helpful for you to know, I found that you had created a website just before my 15th birthday, so you can increase… Read more »
Alessandra, you sound like a truly extraordinary 15 year old. Curious, what do you find to be the biggest challenge of being a teenager?
Hmmm… I think probably the balancing act which we all have to find between academics, family + animals, friends, sport, travel, music, church etc. Suffice it to say that I am someone who loves doing a myriad of different things (5 languages, 3 instruments, lots of sport) and is always busy, so budgeting time is something which is always a challenge. I am also blessed to have the opportunity to travel virtually every holiday, though we’re often gone from the day school is out until the night before it starts again, so there is not much of a break in… Read more »
Time out – are you really only 15???
16 as of June 25th 2017
But I live in London, UK…
You are very wise my young friend. Please send me your home address.
Miss Val, as much as I greatly appreciate all that you write for so many of us to gain insight from your wisdom, I don’t think it a very good idea for me to post my home address here on your public website. Perhaps you could provide me with the email at which you would best be reached with this information and I will happily share it with you that way, or if it is easier, you could send me a quick email on the email address attached below. I hope this is not too much of a bother and… Read more »
“Miss Val Proverb.” Love! ??