Things to Think About

"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.”  Alexander Graham Bell 

When I first read this quote, it sent a chill up my spine, because it reminded me of how frozen, in the face of fear, I had been, earlier in life, when facing what I felt was an extreme challenge.  All I could focus on was the possibility—the inevitability, really—of my failing, that I couldn’t bring myself to see anything else. This is what people call “choking”. 

What helped me to get beyond this is when I enlisted the help of an “imaginary friend”.  I had better explain.

Depending on the challenge, I would choose who I wanted as a friend—someone who would serve as an advisor.  It could be a character from a book or a movie, a relative, or someone well known for solving this type of problem.  Then, I would ask myself, “What would they do if they were faced with this situation?”

This allowed me to step back, lower the stress level a bit, and get a new perspective.  Eventually, challenges became easier to deal with and, I might even say, fun.  If you felt a bit of a chill, when you read this quote, give a friend a try and you may be surprised at the outcome.

Good luck on your journey!