Simple Acts of Moving Forward A Little Book About Getting Unstuck

Getting Unstuck, Moving Forward, Feeling Better Most of us work hard, and we mean well. But we get stuck. And we get hung up, not on the big things or the months and years, but on the small things that make up our single days and hours. You may have larger dreams for your life, but your most common struggles have to do with what you're doing today, during this small collection of moments. You've probably been forwardthinking enough to make plans, and you're doing your best to make them happen. But even the best efforts don't always satisfy youand, too often, you beat yourself up for that. Sometimes you feel that you will never get ahead or even get beyond the spot you're in right now. The only way to get unstuck is to take a step. It can be a big or little step, and you usually have a choice of directions. But it's an action with purpose behind it, and no one else can do it for you. Moment by moment you and I are making decisions and taking actions that help us move through time. Sometimes we move ahead in survival mode, "making it," but just barely, and not in a way that feels positive or successful. Occasionally, we slip backward or make choices that undo some of our progress. And sometimes we move in a way that is meaningful and gives us a feeling of forward motion. This little book is for helping that forward motion. You can dip into the sections in no particular order. They describe sixty powerful acts that can make the difference in your hour, your day, maybe even your life. Some of these acts are easier than others, but they are all possible, and they will definitely move you forward. One simple act is a step in the right direction. It won't take longer than five minutes to read any one suggestion in this book. And in many cases, it won't take longer than a few minutes to actually take the step. Some steps will lead you to carve out larger blocks of time such as an afternoon activity or a weekend trip. But the majority of these acts are designed so you can do them immediately. Their purpose is to help you get unstuck from right where you are. At the end of each act is a short prayer to help you, if you so choose, to reach out to God for the love, wisdom, and power that are beyond your own abilities. After the prayer is some space, in case you want to make a note to yourself. If you follow through and do a simple act of moving forward, you might just want to celebrate by writing down what you did. Read these acts one at a time. Be kind to yourself. And be kind to all the other folks who are trying to take those forward steps as well. Journey with them when you can. A step at a time, in good company, will make us all feel a lot better. Acts of Creativity Creativity opens us to revelation, and when our high creativity is lowered to two percent, so is our capacity to see angels, to walk on water, to talk to unicorns. Madeleine L'Engle, Madeleine L ' E n g l e H e r s e l f Make a List Jump Ahead Ten Years Think Again Write Your Story Find the Child Reorder Your Universe Imagine the Worst Go to the Library Leave the Box Take a Road Trip Act 1 Make a List There's so much to do that I don't know where to start. I think of everything I'm responsible for and everything I'd like to accomplish, and I panicand sometimes I cope by doing nothing at all. Time to make a list. When life gets cluttered, it can be a good thing to get a huge sketchpad and just list everything you can think of that needs your attention in some way. You don't write anything in order of importance or difficulty; you just get it down so you can look at it. Then you move to another sheet ofWright, Vinita Hampton is the author of 'Simple Acts of Moving Forward A Little Book About Getting Unstuck', published 2003 under ISBN 9780877880820 and ISBN 0877880824.