Thursday, May 21, 2009

Balancing


I remember as a kid playing with my older cousin that we would do some dare devil stuff. One of the games was to see who could walk the "plank" across a shallow ravine. It wasn't really deep, but there was a little stream below with rocks. The "plank" was an old tree that had fallen.

So we would each get up on this log and see who could make it across without falling or losing balance. I didn't like heights so this was a scary game for me. Yet, I wanted to appear cool and okay about the whole thing.

So I'd take a deep breath and start walking. The first steps weren't bad because the log was resting on the bank. It was when I got out into thin air that things got difficult. I could hear the rushing water below and see the potential dangers of rocks and sticks in those waters. I would imagine falling, and I would. After several tries, I found that as long as I would focus on the spot just in front of my feet and not look at the stream below, I could get across the log. I just needed to put one foot in front of the other and not lose my focus.

There are still days that I need to remind myself that it's just one foot in front of the other. And to not focus on the future but just what is right in front of me. And by doing that I am able to keep in balance, face my fears, and make my way.

21 comments:

  1. I was discussing this with my therapist yesterday. She told me to start making a list about what I can do about my situation now and to stop getting so wrapped up in the "what if's". She said, "One day at a time. One foot in front of the other."

    Beautiful picture. It reminds me of a park I used to visit at home called "Devil's Millhopper". It was a huge, massive sinkhole that you could walk down. It is so large that it actually has small waterfalls in it and a little brook at the bottom.

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  2. Occasionally life still has us walking the plank, so being able to balance is very necessary.

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  3. great tie in from your past lessons to the here and now - really liked this post Syd!

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  4. One foot in front of another - another balance note for me today...

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  5. After all that you have learned in recovery, I would be interested to know how that plank would make you feel were you to go back to it now. I imagine that on some days you could do it with your eyes closed :)

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  6. Love the analogy here. Balancing can be really hard...One day at a time...

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  7. Hopefully, when I am walking the plank, it will be a 1-meter board over a 10' deep end of the fresh-water pool.

    However, I still would like to NOT fall off!

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  8. I too get wet when I lose my focus. So I bought some reading glasses.

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  9. Very very true. Loved the post and thanks for the reminder. Hope you are having a relaxing evening.

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  10. The program teaches me constantly how to come back to center.

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  11. whoa, one foot in front of the other, and look what's right before you.... you're so right. that's all it takes. lovely post syd! now have yourself a great weekend!

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  12. Great metaphor. This also brings back memories of my childhood shenanigans and life in general. If that log wasn't sloped that picture would look just like one I've posted at my site of the creek near our house.

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  13. Positively brilliant. Can I quote you on that one?

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  14. so true...had a situation last night...change in plans for the weekend...laid out all the options and instead of forcing a solution I didn't make a decision. This morning a new choice was laid before me. I love it when that happens.

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  15. Yes, one step at a time. Have a lovely weekend.

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  16. Wonderful reminder dear friend! (Hugs)Indigo

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  17. Do what you do, do it as well as you can, and it might be in a month or so, you look around and by gosh, you are still walking. Still alive, still surviving.

    Great thinking! Have safe and fun weekend!

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  18. Good reminder Syd. I love the analogy you used and keeping in balance by putting one front in front of the other. Good stuff, as always. Thanks for sharing.

    PS: I don't like heights either.

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  19. live in the moment, and the moment is now.. this is what my sponsor tells me

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  20. I love the tangible experience of putting one foot in front of the other as you walked across the log. It really connects to the slogan "one day at a time," or the idea of "acting as if," and the concept of "putting one foot in front of the other." Gorgeous picture too!

    Thanks for sharing,
    Jen

    www.serenityprayer.wordpress.com

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