A Small Action

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

Goethe

“Some succeed because they are destined. Some succeed because they are determined.”

Unknown

Old lessons are new.  Tonight I was reminded of that, when I was feeling tired and discouraged and turned it around with a small action.  The action itself wasn’t as important as the fact that I took an action, but how it made me feel was still intriguing and enlightening.  Will taking action always help me to feel better?  I don’t know, but I believe that action, even a small one, can almost always make a difference in negative situations, and more importantly, with negative attitudes.

Are some actions more helpful than others or will any action work?  From my own limited experience I have concluded the following:

·      Physical action is almost always effective.  Exercise, cleaning the house, or anything that fully engages the body is generally good for the mind.

·      Action that moves us toward a specific goal is very motivational.  It doesn’t have to be a large action.  If I owe $1,000 and I have made an extra payment of $50, that can create a lot of enthusiasm. 

·      Action that helps others helps us.  Sometimes it’s good to remember that there are a lot of people who could use a helping hand or a kind word…or both.  I have been blessed many times by being able to help someone in some small way.  We both needed that.

·      Action that focuses on our responsibilities can be transformative.  Sometimes I need to just do my job or fulfill my commitments.  Often this gives me a new perspective and peace of mind.

·      Actions that promote self-care are healing.  Sometimes all we need is a nap, or some water, or a good meal.  Problems we label as emotional or spiritual are really physical.  We’re not depressed – we’re tired, hungry, or thirsty.

·      Actions that resolve a specific problem may be required.

·      Actions that move us away from a specific problem may be required.

As usual, there are many possibilities.  For me, tonight, I took an action that moved me just a little closer to my house on the beach and my life with my Muse.  Again, it was a small action, but it made me feel so good that I repeated it and thus got a little closer to my goal.

Besides the practical benefit of being closer to my goal, I felt better.  My fatigue and fear vanished.  Tonight I told my Muse, twice, “I’m coming for you.  I just got a little closer.  I’m a little more focused now and a little more determined.  I know I was negative today, but now I’m ready to move forward, just a little more.  I know this will take time, but I just reduced that time by taking action…twice.  I can’t wait to be with you.”

With a small action, I was able to Get Started and Keep Going.  Tonight I will be thinking, “What are some big actions I can take?”