“Progress, however, of the best kind, is comparatively slow. Great results cannot be achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk, step by step.” ~ Samuel Smiles
Are you one of those impatient types? You know what I’m talking about. You start the diet Monday and expect to have a visible transformation by the end of the week. You begin a wealth creation program and a month later you’re disappointed to learn you’re only a little better off than you were at the start. You make changes and then wonder if this new thing is worth sticking with when there isn’t an obvious result yet.
I know I’m stating the obvious here, but MOST CHANGE TAKES TIME.
Sometimes the increments of change are so minute that from hour to hour, day to day, week to week, it just doesn’t look like all that much is happening.
And sadly, because of that, too many of us give up. We stop following the diet, going to the gym, putting words on the page or whatever else it was that was supposedly plodding us towards our goals.
Because who ever wants to just plod?
But here’s the thing. If you keep plodding along, eventually when you look back over your shoulder you’ll realise you’ve travelled quite a distance from where you first started out.
Here’s my latest milestones in my recovery from Lyme Disease. It’s given me so much encouragement to grasp that I AM making progress, even if I still feel tired, unwell and quite wretched very often.
- Almost no chest pain. I have been acutely aware of my heart since my first heart attack in 2009, because I could feel it under my ribs and it hurt! I couldn’t hunch my shoulders, turn over in bed some nights or lie on my side because of how much pain it caused. In the last few months the pain has largely abated.
- I can walk up hills. Slowly, but I can!
- I can climb stairs.
- I can handle hot weather better. My body is thermo-regulating and my heart is behaving. I don’t need oxygen.
- I can put numbers into order, and file my bank statements. This has eluded me for years, since my last really bad lapse in 2002 which threatened to put me into a nursing home, so bad had my cognitive decline become.
- I can do simple sums in my head.
- I don’t feel like I am about to die.
- I no longer feel like someone is digging a pitchfork into my head and twisting it viciously to get my attention.
- I can bend over without passing out.
- I can stand up quickly without passing out.
- I can balance on one leg.
- I can shut my eyes and not fall over.
- I am physically stronger.
- My vocabulary has increased.
- I can prioritize and make lists.
- My memory has improved.
Sure there’s heaps of stuff that could still work better in me. I acknowledge I have a long way to go. But when I think of where I was two years ago my improvement is actually quite astounding.
How about you? Are you making changes and sticking with them? Can you identify any tiny milestones? Sometimes when we’re looking at where we are now, we lose sight of how far we’ve already come.
I really want to encourage you not to give up. Even if from day to day it appears pointless. Even if it seems that what you’re doing is insignificant.
Most of my gorgeous clients who are ‘overnight successes’ slaved away unrecognised and unrewarded for years.
All that plodding and not giving up will get you where you want to go. And I promise the view will be magnificent. Hang in there! Much love, ♥ Nicole xx
Wow, that is such wonderful news. You have endured so much, I genuinely admire your ability to maintain a positive perspective — we all have so much to learn from that. I continue to pray for your massive healing. You go girl!! xoxo Lucinda
I guess that’s one thing protracted poor health has taught me – you get so much more out of life by choosing to focus on the positive. Being negative just prolongs the misery! Thanks for your support. Bless xx
Congratulations with your progress, dear Nicole! Yes I make progress too.My shoulder and arm are less painful, it seems that I make deeper contact with people and that I can communicate easier. I feel more and more the oneness and the sense of life. I’m happier!
Greetings, Jetske <3 🙂
You are going through so much and yet you still GIVE! I applaud you.
Dearest Nicole, as I read your post of positive determination, of courage and love and a big generous heart, I was listening to this version of “Change is Gonna Come” in the background – http://www.playingforchange.com/episodes/63
Courtesy of http://shamanictracking.com/ who you might also enjoy…
Much love, Katalina
I am so glad you are feeling better . You are an inspiration us all . Tiny steps are the answer to a much bigger picture .
Cherry
Many blessing for the message. I was wrestling with photoshop( I wish there was photoshop for the partially computer literate…) Im not quite a dummy.I now feel that I can do this , I may just have to be “toiling throught the night”
that was a calming and inspiring post. I loved that image of the snail.
Merci beaucoup Nicole! I needed that kick in … 🙂 From time to time, I get impatient with myself. My patience with others seems to go on forever.
Dearest Nicole, Thank you for your gentle reminder of patience today – it is timely that you should include the quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – it was one that my Dad wrote in my autograph book when I was a child saying it would be my map of success when I was older and understood it. He also quoted in at my wedding – saying it was a lesson to live life by. Sometimes I need reminding when exasperation sets in…… I have been dreaming about my father’s mother for the past month or so (she passed years ago and my father had a strained relationship with her) with no real meaning or direction to her message yet – I guess for this quote to again come to me at this time there is a connection between it all. Love and hugs for gentle reminders when we need them most! xxoo Karen :o)
Nicole sometimes its not even where we are so much as where we have come from or where we have been.sometimes it is indeed just putting one foot in front of the other ….just like you write…so sad to hear all the very significant and painful symptoms but delighted to hear your progress esp that of your heart and your having less chest pain. That heart…dem ladies saw your heart…gentle yet lion like in courage…I applaud you for trawling the depths of yourself whilst facing into the wind, giving so much and keeping on keeping on. Seems you are made of way tough stuff like our ancestors like dem ladies…thank you Nicole sending much pinky green heart healing love your way..x
Fabulous Nicole! Your post today reminded me of a journey I took last year to celebrate my 60th birthday. I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I started in France, just across the Pyrenees from Spain and walked each day, biting off one segment of many many steps to complete the 500 mile plus journey. At times I ached, I was robbed once, and a few times I got lost and cried. My body is still recovering from the journey over a year later, but for me it was worth it. It was all about the journey for me…..the destination was just the cherry on the top of the cupcake. So I applaud you with all of my heart for the strength you have shown all of us that it is important to keep going and it is also very important to measure our progress and applaud ourselves on a continual basis for the improvement in our lives, health, love and happiness. Much love for you, Pamela
Nicole you are such an inspiration and daily you inspire and amaze me. I know that so many success do come after 10 years or more of putting one foot in front of the other. yesterday a started the Morning Pages both a s a morning motivation and to shift some stuckness I seem to have. I hold you in my prayers and as healed and whole
thank you for who you be
All my love
Suzie xx
Always good to be reminded when it can feel like the plodding is more a shuffle. The other way I remember it is in the words of Dory, “Just keep swimming” (which for me is apt on a number of levels).
Can’t remember how long it was dwindling and spiralling down and down, but having one’s brain function again is something I too am being amazed with on a daily basis. Huzzah for your own list of achievements! Filled with such joy for you. xo
Thank you Nicole, a timely reminder! So so happy to hear that you making progress. Lots of love xo
I’m happy too, just quietly 😉 Love and kisses, dear friend xoxo
What an uplifting and inspiring post…you are awesome! SO happy that your health continues to improve…and one day let’s do the Lighthouse walk together…and have a b-que brunch at Wategos to celebrate! Big hugs of Love & Gratitude…X
I’d love that!!! Will make that a goal to work towards 😀 Yay!!!
You are an inspiration Nicole, all the very best to you.
Well, good! Do something wonderful with that inspiration!!! {{{HUGS}}} Bless xx
Good morning Nicole, love the snail photo and Longfellow quote. That sure is an amazing list of health improvements – congratulations – there will be many thrilled readers today. May that long and winding road continue to be dotted with positive signposts. Healing hugs. xox
The Longfellow quote has been a favourite motivating tool of mine for some time, Mitch. Thanks for your kind words and support. I feel very loved, and blessed to have good people like you in my life. 🙂 xoxo
You’re very welcome.
Nicole, this incredible post moved me to tears and lifted my heart. Thank you! I adore your list of focusing on the positives. I feel inspired that I can make it through my own challenges. And I send you heartfelt love and blessings that your healing may continue and that you may be pain-free. May it be so.
xo Gentle loving hugs, Gina
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, Gina. Rest when you need to. But whatever you do, don’t give up! Hugs and love to you too, Nicole xx