One Step at a Time
My grandmother once gave me a tip:
"In difficult times, you move forward in small steps.
Do what you have to do, but little by little.
Don't think about the future, or what may happen tomorrow.
Wash the dishes.
Remove the dust.
Write a letter.
Make a soup.
You see?
You are advancing step by step.
Take a step and stop.
Rest a little.
Praise yourself.
Take another step.
Then another.
You won't notice, but your steps will grow more and more.
And the time will come when you can think about the future without crying."
- Elena Mikhalkova
Last night we watched the ‘disaster’ movie, “Greenland”. (which was very good!) At the end of it I turned to my husband and said,”Well,at least we only have a pandemic to live through.”
Even though most of us are looking to the future with hope we can also feel a lot of trepidation as to what the future will look like.
Will we have jobs to go back to? Will the pandemic come back every year? Will I be safe to get on a plane, be in a crowd, shake hands ever again?
The pandemic situation has taught me a few things though and one of them is to live simply.
I can take my time with my prayers,my breakfast,or even reading the paper in the morning. I personally no longer have to run out the door everyday. So: I take a step over to water my plants.
I take another step to write this blog. My day is not too full but it is fulfilling. I have found something to look forward to every single day.
I’m happy if I complete one thing on my list. I’m happy if I can connect with a friend through Zoom or a nice phone chat.
I don’t get bothered if someone calls when I’m in the middle of something because ….I have time now.
I plan lunch. I plan dinner. I have time to cook,to bake,to create. To breathe.
I have the time to look inward and make choices about my behaviour and revisit my behaviour of the past day.
Sometimes getting through isn’t planning for the future…but planning out my day.
Let’s try and enjoy the small moments that bring us joy.
One. Step. At. A. Time.
Peace, friends.