A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn’t will find an excuse.
– Stephen Dolley Jr.
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Do you see possibilities or problems?
It’s been said that some of the smartest people around would make lousy entrepreneurs. How can that be? The fact is, some people are so smart they can easily see all of the problems, roadblocks, and snafus that they’ll need to overcome to succeed. They can think of all kinds of reasons why their idea won’t work. This knowledge can overwhelm any thoughts of possibilities or dreams. When you think of your goals, do you focus on the positives of making it happen, or the negatives of potential barriers? To reach your goals, you gotta really want them. More importantly, you gotta really believe that you can do it. Think more about why you CAN make it happen instead of why you can’t. No more excuses.
Source-Sparkpeople Healthy Reflections.
Like a corn maze, we navigate life – sometimes blindly and, sometimes certain of our path.
Seeing problems-
Which way do I go? What turn leads to the exit? If I make a wrong turn, will I remember which way I came from? Every path looks the same. How am I supposed to get there when I am so turned around?
Seeing possibilities-
Making all right turns could lead to the end. Following others who look assured in their destination will help me find my way. The thrill of discovering new paths is exciting. I don’t worry about the end, it will come soon enough, I am enjoying finding the way. Look, a new path!
If you are like me, then you have traipsed through the maze of life with both thoughts in mind. I value each of these reflections. If it weren’t for the problems and the wrong turns, would I really be as grateful for the journey? Or reaching a new place on the path? If it weren’t for the dead-ends, would I ever meet the trail blazers that inspire me to seek alternate directions?
Yesterday, Jason and I, worked at the duplex. I needed a little help chopping down the chest high grass. Okay….a lot of help.
Come to find out, yard work is not my forte. The charm wore off years ago. Besides, it’s 101 outside.
Love those pink goggles. See what happens when you work at my place? Ha.
Inside, under the ceiling fan, and chilling A/C, I stood and saw problems. How was I going to get this three bedroom place packed up? Where was all this “stuff” going to go? Jason’s house is fully furnished. Most cabinets are full. He has washer, dryer, refrigerator, couches, chairs, and tables, and everything else I have. I stood there – overwhelmed, and exasperated. I didn’t feel scared about moving from the duplex; no, the duplex wasn’t home anymore. I knew that. It was just the sheer impossibility of moving it all.
So, I began ONE thing at a time. Choosing the keepers, polishing the gotta gos. One piece, one area, one room, one section and just tackling that part without thinking of the rest or the frustration (Sydney’s room).
I got one box packed and an assortment of items to distribute. That felt good.
I had a few more things to do when Jason realized he only had 15 minutes to get to the pharmacy before it closed. Umm…it’s a 20 MINUTE drive. He was out of night-time insulin. For those Type 1 diabetics, you know the problem that could be. I was sure we could make it. He was sure we couldn’t. We dropped everything where it was and just left (thank goodness the yard had been finished).
I have to hand it to him. He did not tear out of the driveway and take turns on two wheels. He did not speed. He did not even sigh or grumble, when we hit EVERY red light. Honestly, I saw problems….Jason not getting his insulin. Jason saw possibilities….maybe the pharmacist would stay a few minutes late. He called them at 5:57pm, we were 5 minutes away.
The pharmacist promised to wait……and…..he did. We got to the drive-thru at 6:04pm. Four minutes after they closed. I have to thank Walgreens for their excellent customer service. Now that’s going above and beyond. And that was definitely a possibility I did not see, especially in a big city.
So tell me, what do you do, when life is like a maze? Do you sit it out? Or go for it? What can you make happen?
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Living, Loving, Laughing.... 
Well I first try to bargain myself out of it! FYI if you read my last post you will understand why I say bargain! Anyway to answer your question.
I will go for it but always with a bit of stomping the ground! I like to see the possibilities behind those mazes of life.
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Yogasavy- I have to admit. I don’t do so well with food bargaining! I, too, like to stomp a bit and stick my toe in the water before jumping. 🙂
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Great Sunday reflection… We were chatting with friends this week-end, 3 couples where the wife it more optimistic/ gets excited about new projects/ but also may not fully weigh in the risks; the husband is more skeptical, “cautiously optimistic”, the planner. What a great balance!
I tend to evaluate my options for a good while, and give them a try with “everything I’ve got” until it succeeds. I ensure to re-evaluate the pros & cons of that option and then refocus/ replan (DH helps a lot there!)/ regroup.
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Au pair salon- Sounds like a great relationship! I like how you evaluate and then really go for it. I really hope Jason and I continue to work as a team and balance each other.
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Agreed! Marriage is a wonderful thing. Going on 10 years… and you? Wish you and Jason all the best in working as a team… remember 1 + 1 = 1 🙂
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Actually our wedding date is 10-10-10 this year. I think that still equals 1. 🙂
Congrats on 10 years!
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I think I do both. It depends on the situation/task at hand.
Sometimes I just have to walk the path and then when I get to a place I have to turn I might just go for it, or I might stop and weigh my options. It just really depends.
Sometimes I don’t have a plan I am just walking on faith.
🙂
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Terre – I think it does too. Sometimes even the day/time of the week. I tend to stay positive, since no matter how it works out. The man upstairs is looking out for me.
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Expect the worst and hope for the best, seriously there is always a positive if we choose to look for it, but as you have pointed out the ones who have a hard time with life are the ones concentrating on the negatives.
Thank God for the positives 🙂
I have had good luck with Walgreens also I am proud to hear they waited for you. Lantus? some take it at night but mine works well taking it in the AM, funny you can have ten type 1 diabetics in a room and get ten different results.
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Jimmy- I agree! There is always a positive if we look for it.
I don’t know what the name is. It’s the slow release insulin – in a green pen. He takes it at night and in the morning. Then has to take the orange pen during the day before he eats. That man is a pin cushion!
😀
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Sounds like the same regimen I am on sort of, slow release when I get up and before every meal with the other and thats not counting the finger pricks.
Worth it though 🙂
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What a great post for me, Angelia. I have a tendency to think myself out of a lot of things before I even get started. More recently I’m trying to tackle that head-on, with God’s grace–and it’s working.
Sometimes life feels daunting when every little thing seems to pile up–but tackling it all in bite sized portions is the only way to work through it all. And there is no way for me to do this without faith and grace.
🙂 🙂
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Heather – God’s grace and nudging is key to any life path. And sometimes, for me anyway, it’s just looking back and seeing his work after the fact. I am always amazed!
I will get through it all, just have to keep praying for strength and a clear mind! My focus is way out of whack! (ADD?)
🙂
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Oh Angelia, yes life is full of possibilities, always and yet you described so beautifully how we do not see them.
Solutions are always there and yet we are not trained and skilled to see them or make them happen.
However as you so wonderfully pointed out, they are there AND part of a solution is knowing how to ask. You asked the pharmacy and they waited.
You collaborated with Jason and he did the yard work.
You do not eat elephants in one go but go for the solution to eat them one bite at the time.
But in this fast ‘food’ society and being trained to be independent we have limited ourselves of seeing all possible possibilities.
Good on you for realizing this, I am starting to realize that there are a lot more roads to Rome than I ever imagined and that leaves for a very fulfilling and amazing life.
Much love, Wilma
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Wilma- Your insightful ways are always a peaceful flow to my heart.
I love what you say here, especially about being trained to be independent and limiting our possibilities.
Coming from a fierce independence to a sponsorship with Jason has truly helped me balance and find solutions I couldn’t have otherwise.
He is not worried about the move or wedding – he says, “I’ll help.” So simple and just what I need to pull me down.
There are many roads to Rome and I’m grateful to meet you at the crossings. 🙂
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Another great post, Angelia. I don’t expect anything less from you. And those pictures of the girls in the corn maze! Absolutely beautiful! The old me would have talked myself out of even attempting to make the journey without knowing the outcome.
Now the new me (I’m proud to say will jump in and enjoy the journey along the way. And take lots of pictures as I go.
I remember when Mister and I married. We consolidated two households. It was a room at a time ordeal. My airy light stuff (wicker and rattan) didn’t work with a lot of his heavy manly wooden objects. It all worked out and we’re still clinging to many of the things after 31 years.
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Weezer – I don’t like the stuffed house look for sure, so I will say good-bye to most of my furnishings (his are newer -lol). I hope they find good, happy homes. I’m really glad to know it works out. Piece by piece I will get there!
I love the corn maze pics too! I didn’t have my new camera but to be sure, this year I will!
Taking pics on the journey is a must!
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I just take on turn at a time…with a smile…and handle whatever greets me…with a smile, of course. lol 🙂 Maybe we can help move with our new truck??? lol 🙂
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Doraz- That’s right! You got a new truck! 😀
I would take you up on that, if you’d like an end of August road trip. 🙂
Smiling makes even the toughest navigation’s a real treat.
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All aboard. lol “_”
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I’m pretty optimistic and Mike is very pessimistic. We balance. Like you mentioned, if you didn’t have any difficulties how would you know to enjoy the journey?
♥Spot
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Spot- That’s great! I hope we balance too. Seems in this case I was optimistic and he wasn’t. Then when I wasn’t anymore, he was! I guess we are a teeter totter. LOL.
🙂
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I very rarely do anything with a goal in mind. Usually, it’s enthusiasm or curiosity that spurs me on. I think if you concentrate on the moment, on what you’re doing, there are neither problems nor possibilities. There is just “the endess passion of life.”
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Nothingprofound – Endless pursuit of life’s passions in every moment. I LOVE that! That is what I need to focus on the most. I really am enjoying cleaning stuff out. I got to look at all my old pictures recently. Soooo fun!
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I’m kind of both. I see all the problems, but that never stops me from trying.
I’m goal oriented, but malleable. If that makes any sense?
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Total sense! I am like that too. Maybe we all are. I try to stay positive with the possibilities but sometimes those doubts arise, then there is the problems!
🙂
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Wow! That was beautifully written. I loved every bit of it! And so cool about Walgreens staying open later for you 🙂
My problem is letting OTHER people’s negative comments about my goals discouraging me from making it happen. I got to learn to look past that.
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First, 101? Yikes. It’s a cool 71 here.
Second, I’m a go for it maze girl. Plus, I love a maze. 😉
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This is my first time to your blog. You’re a great writer! I saw you on Bloggy Moms…looking forward to visiting here more often! ~Kimberly
http://www.stinkerpinker.com
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Go for it!!!! You never know who is on the other end waiting to do something nice for you…such as Walgreens! Love that they were that accomodating!
Those poor beat up legs…that MUST have stung in the shower!!!
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I used to be pretty pessimistic, but Yoga has helped my mind relax. Now I just try to take things as they come. What happens has to happen, what doesn’t just was not supposed to… God will provide for everything!
And you had 101 this weekend? Hikes and I was whining when we hit the 90s?! 😉
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It i already Tuesday, but I still want to comment 🙂 Great post again, and please stick with Jason’s positive attitude. Believe in the Universe, that provides you with what you need, always!
Good luck with the duplex and the choices you have to make with your stuff.
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I’m not very faithful about stopping by here, so I always have several days worth to catch up on. You need to tell Jason to get the pump. It is totally worth it. You only have to keep up with Humalog, and change it once it every three days. It took me years to get talked into it, but I adore mine now.
I actually just blogged about keeping a positive attitude today, and trusting in God’s plan.
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