“There’s simply no such thing as thinking too big.” Author Unknown
What are your expectations for this New Year?
A single incident just drove mine through the roof!
It was an 8’ noble fir that filled our home with pine-scented memories beginning on December 16, 2010. A dear neighbor strung the lights, and kids and friends hung precious ornaments that had passed through three generations. Four new ornaments adorned the noble tree and contributed warmth and love to the Christmas festivities.
Fast forward to January 11, 2011. The brittle branches were ready for recycling. With a determination beyond my physical capacity, I tenderly removed each ornament and packed it away. Completely unsure of my ability to remove the lights (without either falling into the tree or the boxes of ornaments); I started circling the tree with an “I think I can” attitude. One string of lights, two strings of lights, and three strings of lights … The process was painfully s-l-o-w. I used my walker, the wall and a rocking chair to steady myself with each circle around the crackling tree.
Now divested of all the Christmas goodies, I pulled the brittle tree towards the foyer. Twelve feet later, it toppled to the floor. With my steady red walker as a balancer, I dragged the sappy trunk through the foyer, out to the walkway, past the garage and into a heap on the lawn.
Beyond your physical capacity, you say? Yes, w-a-y beyond it! I walk with a cane or walker ninety percent of the time. Often steps are tentative. But this one joyous experience will shine through my memory and allow me to create much greater physical feats. It only takes ONE example to shift your mind to forward momentum.
Moving the towering tree set my wheels churning with exhilaration and a “Can Do”, fist-pumping attitude. “Yee-ha!”
What do you want to experience this New Year? Can you visualize, taste and smell it? Can you wallow in its significance in your life? I’d love to hear where you’ll take your journey this year! What are your soaring expectations?
With Hope and an Excited Momentum,
Dar
January 19th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
BIG grin Dar
Hugs,
Andrea
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January 19th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Darlene~
Wow! This is a big deal!!! I don’t think that people who can walk realize what a big deal this is! I know I didn’t! I always took down the Christmas tree the day after Christmas. My job was the lights, then the kids packaged some and I finished! I can’t imagine you doing it all yourself!
You are one tough cookie!!! Keep it up! Stay positive and reach around and pat yourself on the back!!!
Love you,
Linda
Linda G. Cox´s last [type] ..Duane Forrester and Optimizing Your Blog
January 24th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Thanks, Linda. Am not sure how I would handle this without your love and support:)
January 20th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Hi Darlene,
Congratulations! Wow, is right. I’m very proud of you not only for doing all that, but for trying to do it, too! Well done.
Pushing past what we fear we can’t do is the secret to going beyond ourselves and you just proved that.
Personally, I’m taking this as a affirmation that tackling things that seem to difficult can (and often do) result in making us feel better about ourselves and our abilities. Woo hoo!
Thanks for sharing your story!
Deb Augur´s last [type] ..5 – Mashing It Up On Video and Other Vlog Strategies
January 20th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Darlene I love your courage. I would not understand this so much if I had not had my uncle who lived with MS for so many years. I know he would not have been able to tackle the tree.
I love your quote – “there is simply no such thing as thinking too big”. Love it!
I am sure we are going to have a good year.
Sue
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January 21st, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Darlene…you are such an inspiration! What you did just goes to show how powerful our mind is and how much our mindset affects our achievements. If you can move a Christmas tree, then I really have no excuse for not reaching my goals this year!
My favourite quote from your post is…”Moving the towering tree set my wheels churning with exhilaration and a “Can Do”, fist-pumping attitude. “Yee-ha!”” Keep up the great work Darlene and you will soar with the eagles in 2011!
Louise
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January 21st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Darlene, you are amazing because you think big and keep going. I can relate to what you are saying, my wife has had Myasthenia gravis since here early teenage years. Like you she has kept going because of a can do attitude.
Thanks for sharing this inspirational story.
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City USA
Perry A Davis Jr´s last [type] ..What is rare and virtually non-existent in the network marketing industry
January 21st, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Hi Darlene,
What an inspiring post. There is nothing more fragile and yet powerful as health. Often times we loose site of it. Courage and strength can be displayed in many ways. What would we do without people such as yourself.
Mike Sweeney – TSA
Mike Sweeney Work From Home Business Tips´s last [type] ..Podcasting Ideas For More Business Growth
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Hi Darlene,
Thank you for the inspirational post! I can stop complaining the next time I get out a stepper to reach the cupboard. Great post on there’s no such thing as thinking big. There’s another saying: if you’re going to think anyway, why not think big?
Janette Stoll
http://www.marketingdirectsales.com
January 22nd, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Hi Darlene, I know what a mammoth task it is for anyone to take down the lights and the ornaments. I cannot imagine doing it singularly with a walker. You are amazing and an inspiration to so many. Keep up the writing. It is helping many who probably don’t have the courage to leave you a note. I would love to speak with you on the phone if you ever feel the urge or have the time!
Leave me a note on my blog or at skype: clarekelway or on Facebook!
Blessings
Clare
January 23rd, 2011 at 2:48 am
This is awesome, Darlene. I have never “met” you before except for reading a few comments here and there. Your courage encourages ME to do things despite the pain I often find myself in. Thank you!
Willena Flewelling
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January 24th, 2011 at 12:31 am
I loved the Yee-ha the best – such a moment of triumph. Soaring expectations is right… it takes a lot of courage to take on a task you believe is beyond your physical capabilities… what a great model you are for us all Dar! Luv ya, Loren
Loren Greig´s last [type] ..Work From Home At Your Own Online Business
January 27th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
What courage and heart ~ you are a true inspiration, Darlene! You are indeed off to a can do, fist pumping kind of year!
This is a huge year for me ~ a big move and a new baby which are inevitable huge feats ~ but what I have planned for my family, my business and my spirit will all come to be only through the type of courage and heart you experienced and shared in this post. Thank you for being a shining light in our lives, Darlene!
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January 27th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Darlene
You are one exceptional lady and your posts are always so inspiring and get me out of my pity party. No such thing as thinking too big huh! I am going to reflect on that today as lately I have been thinking my dreams have been too big and I have been a bit arrogant to think I could achieve them and should pull my head back in. Gee what am I afraid of. You have given me renewed faith.
Thanks Belinda
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