Here we are, halfway through another work week and another Quote of the Day. I hate making mistakes or feeling like I have failed at something. I don’t like to do anything if I can’t do it at a very high level. The pursuit of making changes is no different. When I begin something new I can spend hours, days or even weeks hunting, researching and planning. I will try to account for every eventuality, problem and contingency that I can think of. I don’t want to feel like I’ve wasted a second of my time or effort by pursuing an avenue that won’t lead me where I want to go. No matter how much planning or effort I put in there will inevitably be something I didn’t account for. And no matter how many contingencies I have something will happen that I am ill-prepared for. Those moments when I stumble, trip and fall are not failures. They are lessons. They are the moments when I cement the changes I have been working for. I have come to accept the idea that each time I stumble or miss my mark I am provided an opportunity to test what I’ve been learning. When I get knocked down I am faced with a choice. Do I want to keep moving forward, is my desire to change, to be better, to do more strong enough to overcome my current setback. When I first began I had no confidence and I would fold and give up at the first sign of struggle or become difficult. Now I can see those moments as a pop quiz on the subject I’ve been working hard on. I also understand that for me the desire to plan and be organized is part of my process but it is not my whole process. I will never be able to avoid struggles, hurdles and issues. In those moments I can decide to give up or I can grit my teeth, stand back up, plant my feet, square my shoulders, lift my chin and attack that coming storm. The storms will always come for me. I can’t avoid them, I can’t hide from them and I can’t outrun them. I, now, would rather stand and face them head on and see them coming and be in a better position to see the other side that much sooner. Take the opportunity of today and make the decision to get backup. Getting knocked down isn’t the end of the fight unless you let it. Have a blessed day, y’all! Stay safe, stay dry and enjoy another beautiful day.
