If you’re a regular at TMG you know I have trouble with my legs and have had for years. I have trouble walking, standing and I can’t kneel — bad for anyone — not to mention a dyed-in-the-wool gardener. This year — for one reason or another — it seems to be worse.
As everyone who has had any difficulties (I feel sure that includes everyone) will attest, it is easy to play out in your mind what you won’t be able to do. I realized this morning I had been doing just that. And that is exactly what can (and does) make things worse.
In addition to playing out in your mind what your difficulties will result in, there’s always the seemingly one million things that you have to do or want to do. Making a living, daily chores, planting the garden, (writing for your readers 🙂 ), and on it goes. Pretty easy to go right into overload. And when you get there (to the overload point) you don’t accomplish anywhere near the amount you could be accomplishing.
The way out is to focus on the task at hand and zero in on what you CAN do, rather than what you can’t do now or at sometime in the future.
Make your plans in advance. Write them down. And then with a flow of energy directed toward the task at hand, accomplish what you thought was impossible. (I know this can be done, because I’ve done it many times in the face of some pretty adverse circumstances.)
As someone once said, “Never let what you cannot do stop you from doing what you CAN do!”
All of us have limitations, problems, difficulties and set backs. It seems to be written into the program. But we also have a mind we can control, determination, self-discipline and all kinds of little helpful ways to enable us to go forward and accomplish great things.
So much to learn, so much to do, so much to share, so much to enjoy. Join me. Keep this at the forefront of your thoughts: focus on what you CAN do. Never let what you cannot do stop you from doing what you CAN do!
My best and warmest wishes,
Theresa
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Related Posts:
Your Focus Will Determine Your Outcome and Lifestyle
Never Underestimate the Power of a Little
A Principle for Insurmountable Tasks
Decide What you Want and Do It
And to Think — They Said it Couldn’t be Done!
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Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for the comment Don. Appreciate your reading.
Theresa
This is where I am…having a body that is not up to scrambling up and down our hillside property. (As fast and easily as I would like!)
A little at a time is my mantra. I am also thinking of establishing areas closer to the house and on more level land than the main garden. I find the uneven terrain is hard on my knees.
Thank you for reminding me that seeing what CAN be done is the key.
Peace
Gail
So good to hear from you Gail!
I totally relate to what you’re saying. I think establishing areas on more level land is the way to go. Will make it so much easier.
Some days when my legs are at their worse, I have an awful time keeping my balance in the garden. I try to take a walking stick with me to steady myself. If I fall down in the garden — which sometimes I do — it takes forever to get up. (Would make a great cartoon —-although it’s not very funny when I’m experiencing it.)
In cases like that it’s always easy to find myself thinking about what I can’t do. I try to keep focused and allow myself only thoughts of what I CAN do. Definitely makes it better and enables me to accomplish the seemingly impossible.
Sure appreciate your comments.
My warmest and best wishes to you for a great season this year!
Theresa
It’s hard for an avid gardener but gardens can also be forgiving even if they have to compete with the weeds so the most important thing to know is that it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do what you can. Sorry to hear of your problems and happy to hear you haven’t quit.
Get well soon
Ray Kent
Good advice!
I was diagnosed with a stroke in December 2020. Saw double for about 1/2 hour upon waking up.
Anyway, keep going. You’ll never know until you try.