Big problems, Small problems

New Years resolutions... they’re strong lasting in the first week, become good in the second, by the third or fourth week they feel impossible; “How could I ever have been so silly to think this was going to work out”. Losing that 5lbs that you want gone... week one at the gym, week two focussing on how delicious apples are as a natural sweet, week three remembering how incredible the invention of the glazed donut is.

Our issues often present as big problems. Whether that issue is weight loss, chronic pain, a bad relationship, cleaning the house, or anything else. They have the feeling of an ‘unreachability’.

Everyone may know the common question of, “how do you eat an elephant?” but few of us listen to the powerful statement of, “one bite at a time”. The power of that weight, or pain, or cleaning, or relationship with a friend or work is that elephant on our shoulders. It can feel like chipping away may not even be an option because of the subjective weight or size our issue has. But progress moves one step at a time.

Back in 2015, I had just joined the army reserves and was a little nervous of the stories that I heard of basic training. An American naval air force captain told me a funny story of, “back in my day” where he said that he just had to ‘beat the game’. And to beat the game you have to beat each level. And the easiest way to pass that level is to not break that day. Yes, the weight of the problem will come at you, whether that is a superior screaming at you for the improper placement of your socks or the problem that you think of in mind. It’s all about climbing the anthills and not the mountains.

To close off with the cheesy, yet genius, phrases: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Even baby steps can walk a mile, one bite at a time.

Good substitutions and alterations to focus on physical health: