Thoughts about life saunter through my head lately. Sometimes while sitting and reflecting on our present circumstances, we focus only on our immediate problems. We only observe the present. We see only what we want to see. I recently remembered the importance of stepping back to observe the whole picture. Often while hiking on the Appalachian trail I got discouraged, thinking ugh… I have only walked 3 miles today… and I have 10 more to go; Or man that mountain was so hard I don’t think I can do another. After moments like these I realized how important it was to do these things

1. Stop and relax
2. Reflect on your accomplishments
3. Plan ahead
4. Go forward not backward

Stop and relax – During our toughest moments we need to take “a little me time.” Take a minute to do whatever you do to unwind. Take a walk, call a friend, watch a movie, listen to music, or just sit in silence. The important part is to relax. Think of all the great things around you. Don’t worry about all the mess. Taking a minute to stop and relax is very important and should be done on a regular basis.

Reflect on your accomplishments – A really amazing person told me more than once;  “Two steps forward and one step back is still progress.” moving forward in life is important. Yet, often we feel like we are backsliding… I know I have felt this recently. However, if we look back we will see where we were before and how far we have come. Sometimes we may have taken a really big step back and feel like maybe we went back further than we came. I realized recently: there are so many paths of life. Though we may step back in one aspect we may be pushing forward in another. Take a minute to reflect. Look for all the positive things you have accomplished. As you do this you will realize how far you have come. Take pride in your accomplishments.

Plan ahead – What are you going to do now? You don’t have to plan it out minute for minute but take a second to think to yourself, where do you want to go next? Once you have established this start putting together a rough outline of how your going to do it and visualize yourself doing it. I read a book recently “Hero (the secret)” by Rhonda Byrne. The book had a whole chapter on visualizing yourself accomplishing your goals. Visualizing is a powerful tool in helping us accomplish goals. I encourage you to try it.

Go forward not backward – now that you have a plan for where you want to go. Go do it! This often can be the hardest part. Yet, when we follow through it is the most rewarding.

In conclusion, often we feel like we’re not going anywhere, life may be hard, or we used to be better than we are now. In these moments remember; Though we feel like we are going backwards, we are going forwards in other ways. Two steps forwards and one step back is still progress. I hope you all keep pressing on. Go forwards not backwards.