Fall down 7 times; get up 8– Eastern saying

We visited for the celebration of Reese’s first birthday — complete with anticipation of “what’s next for this little one”. Her parents suspected she might take her first steps. She was standing, squatting and jumping with support. As she pushed her walker across the floor, it was apparent she wanted to move on those little feet and follow her sister.

While playing with her, she continued to jump and stand and push, yet no showed direct interest in walking. Grandparenting brings inalienable rights for teaching, praising and spoiling, plus trying to get that “next thing” to happen while we’re visiting. While one held her up and the other had outstretched hands to catch, she just bent her knees, having none of it at that time. Yet, other times, she had a spontaneous movement that seemed an effort to take a step. One effort took her across a musical toy that ended in a fall. Even then it was with continued encouragement, as we cheered, she clapped and smiled.  We continued encouragement yet honored her schedule — if you want to try “great”; if not, “oh well”.

Then Reese did it! On Sunday there it was: Movement from one of us to the other: tiny foot taking step 1, followed by tiny foot taking step 2. — A little lunge and an adult catch.  Reese had the smile on her lips and the light in her eyes, the acknowledgement she had done something new, something she liked. It was precious. To make it official, her parents saw it, too. For us, as grandparents, it was priceless.   

“Hey Reese, we said, want to walk again” as we held her for another try. She greeted us with bent knees and essentially, “I am done; I am doing this at my pace” and off she crawled to her next adventure.

Often, it seems the first step in doing something new is the hardest. We may lose our balance, perhaps fall. Some say the secret of learning to walk is falling, followed by “Oh well”, get up and try again…at our own pace….like Reese.

You go little girl. 

Bill (aka grandpa)

 “The only reason a person should exist is to be the best he can be.” Lou Holtz

Years ago, a friend mentioned that he got up early every morning to read for 30 minutes something educational or professional. I did the math; if he did no other reading, he would read 182.5 hours a year.  Ten hours a book equals 18 books a year.

Starting a day in this healthy way could have positive potential benefits.  Shortly afterwards, I began the practice of getting up early for reading (or listening to) something educational every morning for at least half an hour.  (Sport Illustrated, Time and most novels do not count).  In a few months, I had created a habit.  For 20 years or so the routine continued; then it just faded.  While I was enriched   by this ritual, things changed and the pattern was gradually gone.

As 2010 ended, I considered what to resolve for 2011. One official goal stood out: start my day with 30-minutes of reading or listening to something that will enrich my mind and add to my life.   

In recalling how this good habit stopped, I understood my plan needed to include:  

• ·       Decide each evening what to read the next morning.
• ·       Be mindful of bedtime.
• ·       Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual.
• ·       Don’t check Sports Center scores.
• ·       Take coffee to my reading chair where my material is laid out.
• ·       Go public with this goal, which I started December 28, 2010.

John Norcross, co-author of Changing for Good: A Revolutionary Six-Stage Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively Forward,” notes that successful change takes planning. It is much more than simply specifying a goal —though writing it out purposely is a great first step. Without proper thought and planning a resolution is quickly history.

I’m confident that, by reinitiating this practice, I will enhance the quality of my life and perhaps the lives of those I touch.

 “Pray not for a lighter load but for stronger shoulders.”
 St Augustine.

Bill

“You cannot correct your course by standing still.” Maxwell Maltz

January 1, 2011 can be a time to consider what you would like to accomplish in your next year.  While we can “correct course” any time of year, the New Year is traditionally a time to reconsider goals.

Step One: Stop and think within categories of health, wealth, social life, and interests for the last year. Take time to fully consider these — to stop and think is new for many. Write out both questions and answers.  Be thoughtful, there is no hurry. Some questions to reflect on:

• What did you do well?
• What were your shortcomings?
• What did you learn?
• What more do you now want?

Step Two:   Consider your future. Again, write what you think important; be as specific as possible. After using the same categories, review; then highlight any goal(s) you are most interested in accomplishing. Some potential questions for thought:

• What more do you want?
• What skill do you want to learn/accomplish in 2011?
• How can your health be better?
• What improvement do you consider financially?
• Are there goals you might consider doing with friends?
• Is spiritual growth in this picture?
• Or maybe you want greater involvement in your community?

Step Three:  Write down thoughtful resolutions. Be specific. Prioritize!

• Answer when and how will you know the resolution is achieved?
• Be realistic.
• Don’t make too many resolutions.
• You must be serious about the ones you pick.
• Make a plan. Include a specific first step.
• Go Public. Tell your friends!
• Identify small steps.
• Keep track of progress.
• Celebrate success!

Know the value of living with constant improvement as you live your life to its fullest. Tony Robbins, Author and Authority on Leadership Psychology, calls it “CANI, Constant and Never ending Improvement.”

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become in achieving your goals. “ Zig Ziglar.

Use the turning of the year as a key time to take stock and make new commitments for yourself. Happy 2011!

Bill

“This time, like all times, is a very good one if we but know what to do with it.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” The Buddha

 Last Sunday at church, a solo of Deck the Halls on Sax was a prelude to the youth choir performance. The solo was perfect, played by Hunter, a youngster keen to share his growing ability with us. I was moved. The combination of his youth, ability and willingness just seemed right for both the celebration on that day in the church and of the season. The youth choir, of varying ages, also performed with perfect voices.

One of the life coaching schools, Coachville, presents the tenant that things are perfect…even as they are improvable. This notion seems a healthy way to construct our lives. Sometimes I see and realize the perfection of life as it is. Sunday was one of those times.

Thank you, Hunter.

To all of you, may Christmas be your perfect! 

Bill

“Go the distance” Voice from the field.

After the Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie, we checked football scores and then channel surfed. There it was, my favorite irresistible movie, Field of Dreams. Though I own it, somehow when it’s on TV, I’m drawn to watching again, all the way to the cars winding down the road to the Field. I hear something new every time, yet get choked up in the same places. I think of myself like Moonlight Graham, the rookie turned doctor who said: “… if I’d only gotten to be a doctor for five minutes . . . now that would have been a tragedy.”

Do you believe that what you do has importance for you and those around you? When I hear that quote, I hope the world is better off with my efforts as a Social Worker, than as the baseball player that, as I child, I dreamed of becoming.

We watched and remembered our trip to the movie site in the middle of an Iowa cornfield in Dyersville. It started by driving to North Central Iowa for a family reunion, promising to swing by the Field on the way home.  

Reunion came to a close. Practicality reigned and with adult “wisdom” we decided to go home; “there will be another time,” we said. Our Iowa family concurred wondering why anyone would visit a baseball field in the middle of Iowa anyway. But our 8 year old had a different view. He reminded us of our promise.

So with varying levels of interest off we went to Dyersville. It was a long drive; there was no interstate. Still, anticipation for all four of us increased.

On that bright, sunny, late Sunday afternoon, we arrived in Dyersville and got directions to the Field. We drove into the countryside, going down the same road as the cars in the movie.

Simultaneously, each of us had goose bumps as we experienced feelings of appreciation and awe, as we approached the Field. The feelings were unexpected, powerful and, even now, not fully understood.

Then we saw the corn, the farm house, of course, the Field. Even at  age 8, Ben knew his line…”Dad, you want to have a catch”… and we did. In fact, we all had a catch with each other and with people from Japan and from California. We batted and pitched and ran the bases. Oh yes, we walked in and out of the corn hoping to disappear like Shoeless Joe. It was a great day.

The trip had lessons. If we had gone home, as practicality suggested, the experience would have been missed. It seems a recurring theme — to learn: go, do and try. Sometimes the experience is a special gift.

Of course, we never understand the missed experience. Practical adults just move on. Remember to listen to the child, grandchild or child within who may know better.  I am grateful we sometimes listen.

As the Dr. Graham pointed out: “You know, we just don’t recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they’re happening. Back then I thought, well, there’ll be other days. I didn’t realize that was the only day.”

Enjoy fully this day.

Bill

The Field of Dreams remains available (in season) for visits.

www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/distance.html