It is my Utopia.
Ducks, pigeons and pelicans frantically flap in a frenzy to get the last potato chip on the sidewalk, the light of the dawn dances like glitter reflecting off of the peaks created by the water and people of all walks of life are gathered in a constant circle of motion, jogging, walking, talking and sharing as they get their morning cardio in at the lake.
The lake by my house is my gym, my church, my sanctuary and on most days my sanity. It’s where I workout, it’s where I breathe and it’s where I get to enjoy nature and culture.
When I first went to the lake, I realized it was my world peace vision come true. There are babies in strollers, young kids on scooters, all the way up to hunched over grandmas shuffling along. Some people have on weighted vests with the latest kicks, running up stairs while carrying a bike (just for fun!) while others are walking so slow they might as well be moving backwards. At the lake we’re all equal. Fitness level and income level aren’t a factor at the lake. There are no language requirements which is why you may hear 5 different languages being spoken as your make your way around the circle.
My favorite sight to see are the super old ladies who walk in packs, their faces covered in wrinkles speaking in a dialect I don’t understand. The pat their arms and legs to get the most out of their morning routine (gotta get the blood flowing, ya know). Sometimes they’ll veer off into the grass for an impromptu Tai Chi routine. It’s a beautiful sight to behold and it’s always a constant reminder for me to just.breathe.
That’s not the only lesson I’ve gleaned from this gaggle of grey-haired grannies.
They are exercising an idea that all of us world changers can use.
THEY ARE DOING THE BEST WITH WHAT THEY HAVE, NOW.
They’re not running the lake with a bike strapped to their back like a triathlon athlete, they’re not participating in the bootcamps that spring up on the banks and the grassy knolls, they’re not even half-limp jogging like I try to do when I feel inspired to “run”. They get up everyday, get their girls together and they just walk. For some of them it doesn’t look like an easy task to execute, heck, some even use walkers if you can believe it. Yet, they do the best with what they have now.
How can you incorporate the same idea in your life?
1. Just do It.
Seriously, you have an idea, (a really good idea) so make some moves on it, sista! What can you do TODAY to put one foot in front of the other? Is it putting in your two weeks? Maybe it’s starting a blog. Maybe it’s picking up the phone and contancting the person who can help you put your dream into motion. Make like the little old ladies and just put one foot in front of the other. Today.
2. Be consistent
Getting in motion and finally putting one foot in front of the other is awesome. A lot of times the first step is the hardest one to take. But if you want to make your efforts reach their highest level of impact, you gotta be consistent and get out there every.single.day. If you manage to take small consistent action everyday, imagine the change you’ll see in your life in 3 months, 6 months a Year! You want a recipe for success? It’s taking consistently action daily. Be consistent.
3. Take It Slow If You Need To
People often get discouraged because their action doesn’t seem BIG enough. Well guess what? That’s when procrastination, analysis paralysis and perfectionism kick in. You don’t do it because it’s not perfect, you don’t do because it’s not a huge production, you spin your wheels researching when you could be producing a result. Stop the madness. Just go slow (like the old ladies remember?) and put one foot in front of the other. TRUST that your efforts will accumulate over time and when you look back you would have traveled quite the distance. Imagine, if those ladies never left the house because they can’t run like other people at the lake. The result would be that, their health would suffer, the lives would be dull and then who would inspire me every morning!? 🙂
4. Be of Service
Which brings me to my last point. Instead of being so hard on yourself, think of the lives that you can effectively change. You have a message and reason you want to get it out in the world, so get it out there any way you can. Everyone has to start from somewhere and maybe someone needs to hear what you have to say TODAY. Instead of thinking how what you have to offer isn’t good enough, think, someone needs my solution right now! I could go on and on about this topic, but just remember, come from a place of service and be an inspiration to someone today.
So there you have it! Now you and I both have learned a thing or two from a group of old ladies at the lake. What will be your “put one foot in front of the other” action step that you will take today?
Leave me a comment and let me know and I can’t wait to see what you say!
Sending you lots of love,
Jennifer
