In fact, the other day, as I was out picking tomatoes and hobbling back to the house, I had to laugh at myself. I started out having this huge bowl of tomatoes precariously perched on my walker and was trying to shuffle along with them as I worked my way back to the house. I gave up and left them out on the edge of the beds for someone else to bring in. It was then, as I was shuffling, I thought of 'baby-steps.'
In life, I think we all take Baby-Steps. Sometimes, when we are sick; when we are new at something; when we are afraid or unsure of ourselves; or maybe when we just have taken too much on our plate. And I think it is okay. It gives us time to think, clear our heads, breathe.
One of the things frustrating me with my MS has been my cognitive issues. Having a lot to juggle isn't helping the situation much, either. At my work, as a Horticultural Assistant, it helps to have information on the top of my head to whip out at a moments notice. I'm talking to people about their lawn or garden issues when all of a sudden-poof! The information in my head has been lost. I pause and smile and take that baby step--to the computer or book that helps jar my memory of the lost info to help the derailed train. I've got pretty good at covering and telling people I will have to do more diagnoses on their items. It saves one's face, you know.
Other Baby-Steps you may have to take in your life:
- Going to the doctor and getting help
- Going back to school (first time or again)
- Starting a new job
- Getting married/divorced/widowed/separated
- Becoming an empty-nester
- Becoming a new-parent
- Starting over (with what ever life throws at you)
- New illness
- Getting out of debt
- Making a large purchase--ex. house or car
- Breaking a Habit
- Learning to do something
All of these take time. You can't do any of it in one giant leap. You can't do any of it in fast forward. You have to do it one step at a time-Baby-steps. We need the time to think, clear our heads, plan, and sometimes, breathe.
