I was asked if I could give a lift to a member of our village. (I'll call her Mrs. Smart.) Sure, I said. Glad to be able to help. I was to pick her up from our local Church, (which was having a cake and candy sale.). On my way, my phone rang, and I was told she's in a wheal chair, and may need assistance. Straight away, doubt started to creep in. Why did I commit myself to this? On arriving at the church, (the rain pelting down, by the way, and the wind blowing a steady gale) I saw her waiting at the door. I waited (in the warm shelter of my car), and watched as her friend laboured down the ramp with the wheelchair in tow, until the point of no return had been reached, and I had to get out of my cocoon. "Could you move further away from the pavement son? I need to put my feet on the road. " "OK Mrs Smart." I said, and fought my way through the rain and the wind, back inside my car, and re-parked.
All this time, rain pelting down, Mrs Smart sat patiently in her wheelchair, waiting for me to finish parking. The car had to be positioned so that she could alight from her chair, straight onto street-level, and shuffle her way into the passenger seat. "Are the brakes on?" She said. We applied the brakes of her wheelchair. "OK, now move the footrests to the side." We did so. She was now ready for the switch to the passenger seat. I helped the drenched Mrs. Smart up, about turned, and helped her down. Then collapsed her wheelchair, and packed it into the trunk. Mrs Smarts friend and myself dived into the shelter of my car, and recovered from our ordeal, expecting her to ask me to take her home. She gave me the directions to a restaurant, and I thought What?
Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. After repeating the whole process, she asked me if I could pick her up in two hours. You must be joking-I thought to myself. "Sure. See you in two hours time."
Two hours later, my Saturday ruined, off to the restaurant, (see chapter one) and at Mrs Smarts house. "Mind the front door will slam shut son. Have a look in the basket behind the door, there's a wedge. You can use it to jam the door. (Her friend had left the restaurant on her own steam.) Got Mrs Smart in and settled, and went on my merry way, left to my thoughts.
You know, the whole trip there and back, and there and back, Mrs Smart was cheerful? Cracking jokes, and just lifting the whole mood. I could not believe how contented she was. Why had I been given this experience? What was my lesson?
Then I cast my mind back to my childhood. I was lucky enough to have grown up with two very special people. My Grandparents. My Grandmother and father, had a huge cattle farm, which they had built from a barren piece of land. A lot of responsibility, running such a big business. Yet every time I saw them, they were happy. We always said grace before every meal, and my Grandfather used to take the opportunity to thank our creator for everything we had been given. Then I saw the parallel.
To reach your goals in life, you have to do learn how to do these two things.
Firstly, you have to learn how to re-frame. That is, whatever happens in life, can be viewed in a positive way. You just have to learn how to consistently find the good, in any situation, and see how it actually serves your purpose. Then, you can honestly be grateful-which will put you in the most productive state of mind. Ready to attract you're blessings from the universe.
Secondly, you have to find a way of consistently reminding yourself of what your goals are. To keep yourself focused, and on track.(That is, after you've clearly defined what your goals are.) At least twice a day. You could make a goals poster, and put it on the ceiling, above your bed. Or next to your bed. Or in the bathroom-next to the mirror. Maybe record something, and listen to it on your way to and from work. Or an mp3 player, as you walk around. Write your goals on 2x4 cards, and review when you have the chance.
If you can do these two things consistently, and with integrity, you will get to wherever you want to go. I wish you every success.
