A WRITER'S HEART

8/31/2012

 
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ONE SMALL STEP.
In honor of Neil Armstrong.
"It's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

This statement encompasses how goals are reached, one small step at a time.
Armstrong's walk on the moon was both a culmination of a goal and a beginning for the U.S. Space Program.

It's the same for us.
That first act toward our goal requires a leap of faith in our dreams and ourselves. We are filled with anticipation and fear as we consider alien territory. Our hands sweat. Our tongue sticks to the roof of our mouth and our knees tremble. Our goals seem as big and as far away as the moon. How can we ever hope to accomplish our desires?

Do something. Anything.

Do one small thing different than the day before. Any action will break inertia and move us forward. Change increases momentum. Small actions took us to the moon. Don't discount their power.

Neil Armstrong had no guarantees of what he'd encounter on the lunar surface. Life doesn't come with guarantees. Those who courageously stand at the portal and dare to gaze at their desires have no promise.
But one.
Nothing will happen if they don't do something different.
We are forever changed by accepting that opportunity.
That moment begins with one small step into the unknown.

llmuir
9/1/2012 03:26:11 am

Sorry for the language here, but I have to say my favorite ending line to a movie comes from "Wanted," a particularly violent film, but at the end, after the hero kills the leader of the bad guys (in a particularly clever way) he turns to the camera and says, "I just took my life back. What the eff did you do today?"

Now, granted, it was James MacAvoy, so I might have felt this way no matter what he said while staring right at me, but I wanted to jump up and shout, "YES!"

When people complain about their lives, I guess I just can't see why they don't change things, do something to make it better. Like today. I am hearing a complaint come out of my mouth for like the third day in a row. That's it. I'm going to fix it. That's what I'm going to do today!

(sorry for hijacking your post, Sandy)

9/1/2012 04:43:37 am

I love additional material. Thanks Lesli for sharing a great lesson.
And if James said anything to me, I'd listen too.

You know I'll be checking in to see if you kept your commitment to yourself.

9/1/2012 03:27:55 am

Living in NASA country (near JSC), I'm always impressed by how many steps come before a space shuttle launch. Each step may seem like something very small, but put all together they shoot us into space. What a great reminder, Sandy!

9/1/2012 04:45:53 am

Then you know what I'm talking about. Do something, anything that moves you forward. It does matter. It will count.
A novel is written one word at a time.

Thanks for the support.

9/1/2012 03:58:07 am

Wow, talk about timely. I actually had to step away from the portal to read your blog. Unfortunately, my inner goddess has just enough fire left in her when the gauntlet is thrown down, she accepts the challenge. She's stepping through the portal and dragging me along! Thanks Sandy. As always, you're a welcome inspiration.

9/1/2012 04:47:28 am

Glad the blog is an inspiration. I tend to spout off about what I need most. Today, a firm kick in the tush.

Nice to know that I'm not alone.

9/1/2012 08:03:53 am

Neil Armstrong was a doer, plain and simple. Such a wonderful example to all of us about how to make the impossible possible, one small step at a time. It's like the "how do you eat an elephant" question. I've thought of that often over the past year and a half of my indie publishing journey. It helps me to keep my head on straight when I get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the job and all of my crazy to-do lists. Sometimes, I need reminding that even writing the list is a step in the right direction. Thanks for the inspiration, Sandy.

9/1/2012 02:39:53 pm

Thanks for supporting this blog. I'm glad you gained something from the post. We tend to make things difficult but when taken in small bits, we can accomplish anything.

Best success on your Indie career. I'm there with you.

9/1/2012 11:06:01 pm

I have worked in a program for 3 years that tries to lift people out of generational poverty by showing them a different way of looking at things and how to make changes in their lives that they find frightening or threatening. When the last class graduated, I gave them a book mark saying "And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful that the risk it took to blossom." All of them "got" the message. Quote is from Anais Nin.

9/2/2012 12:52:44 am

That's terrific that you've worked assisting people to find another way in this world with a productive, happier life. The quote is perfect for this message. We change when the pain pushes us through the birth to our higher soul.
Thank you for sharing this and being a blessing through your own small steps and blossoming.

Donna Velleman
9/2/2012 11:01:17 pm

It's sooo easy to get into a rut. Thanks for the reminder and push. : )

9/3/2012 01:51:26 am

Thanks for the read and the support.
I hope your steps take you to your dreams.

9/2/2012 11:45:21 pm

Excellent post, Sandy. I've been struggling to make the small steps necessary to do what I know needs to be done. But like you said in reply to Sandy B, the pain or frustration sometimes has to get bad enough to push us to take those steps and in the long wrong we are better for having taken them. I needed this kick in the tush as well.

9/3/2012 01:55:32 am

Thank you for the comments. I tend to write lessons that I need to hear. We're all learning and growing to be more. Growing pains come along with that. What a wonderful 'us' we're creating!

Glad the tush kicking helps.


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