I’m here in beautiful San Francisco, attending and presenting at a conference.
I’m enjoying a cup of coffee as I admire the view. I can see the bay from my hotel room. I can hear the fog horns and ferry horns blowing. Although I’m inside, I did take a few minutes to go through my basic morning routine of breathing and light stretching exercises. Helped shake out the cob webs.
Which needed to be shaked out, because my flight got in late last night. First off, we had clouds and storms in Austin, where I live. So some delays there. But I didn’t mind because it meant I got to watch my Washington Redskins play the Houston Texans. That’s the good news.
The bad news: my Redskins blew their lead and lost in overtime. Ouch!
If you are a Redskins fan, you understand the pain – the “wandering around in the great NFL wilderness for over a decade” type of pain I am talking about. Our hopes of regaining our former greatness are dashed, year after year.
We all have high hopes for this season. Skins beat archrival Dallas last week. So we’re 1 and 1. And that’s cool. We don’t know for sure how the season will turn out. But we have hope. And sometimes that’s all you need, no matter what is going on. As long as you don’t get discouraged and keep your eyes and heart on your goal, you will be fine.
There’s an important analogy here.
First off, the Redskins must be deeply disappointed in the way they lost the game last night. But what will they do? They will take today off (well, the players will). Then they will get busy Tuesday preparing for the next game and the next team.
No time to dwell too long on the game, other than to leverage the mistakes made to (hopefully) improve. Say “Next!” and move on, and endeavor to do better next time.
Another analogy comes to mind as well. I mentioned that my flight took off late from Austin. Then we had to circle for about 45 minutes once we arrived in the San Francisco area. The fog and cloud cover was delaying things, and the flights were stacked up, waiting to land.
In fact, my better half, who was back home checking the flight status online (isn’t that sweet?), said there were over a hundred flights queued up to land at one point. All circling, circling, like a bunch of lost birds.
But, eventually, we got the green light and came on in. What a beautiful view of the city, even with all the clouds!
And that’s my second point today. Sometimes you may suffer setbacks, like losing the game. Sometimes you may find yourself running around in circles and seemingly not making any progress, no matter how hard you are working or how much you want it.
When you find this happening, step back, take a deep breath – or two, or three – and relax. Simply say “Next!” to the latest setback or delay and get back to the work at hand.
As the saying goes, “God’s delays are not God’s denials”.
Good way to think about it!
You Can Do It!
Karen
“God’s delays are not God’s denials”.I like that quote,its giving me something to think about.
http://alamghafoor.com
Hi Karen!
Your whole story remind me of an event that happen a few years ago and breathing made me feel much, much better. I was flying back to Paris from Seoul and as we were flying over Mongolia the was a big noise and the captain said: one of the motors broke down, we are going to land…I had a 2 second panick attack and then, I remember to take a very deep breath! It took us 3 days to get home, but we did!
I’ll second that vote for your quote
“God’s delays are not God’s denials”.
In today’s society people freak out over the least significant delays and have little perspective on the big picture, which is why I really resonate with your philosophy of taking a deep breath and trying to relax…..
Michael
The Success Secrets
You had mentioned how its how you deal with the setbacks, I like that. All too often we get caught up in things that we can not control.
Scott Sylvan Bell
http://www.crackedheatexchanger.com
Now go implement!
Dealing effectively with setback is essential. I live in Redskins country and it comes in handy!
Christian
I really like Michael’s take on your quote. We live in an instant gratification society, so used to having everything at our fingertips that some hard work is a little scary. Time to get over it.
Jen Battaglino
Conquer Your Fear Here
Hard work pays off. No two ways about it.
kevin hogan
Effective Tinnitus Treatment
Set backs are difficult..I know all about them I am a cubs fan
Chicago Style Sales Expert
Karen,
What a beautiful way to look at some of life’s obstacles. A rich life is made up of rich experiences and the way you accept the things which are beyond your control and make lemonade out of the lemons, is truly rich. I applaud you!
Make your life rich in every way!
Dennis
Create The Life of Your Dreams
There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. Thinking this way does take the sting out of life’s little setbacks.
Steve
Great article Karen, I like that saying as well “God’s delays are not God’s denials”. Just give it some time, it will work it’s self out.
Don
http://donhillonline.com
“God’s delays are not God’s denials” is so true. When I look at the changes in my life over the past year, things that I asked “why?” about one year ago make perfect sense to me today.
Karen,
Your advice is very timely! Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Sabrina Peterson, NASM CPT, CES
Corrective Exercise for Every Body
Hi Karen,
Oh San Francisco! I ♥ SF. My old stomping grounds, including where my late husband met and courted me. Such a romantic city! I bet all the soft humidity there is just marvelous with your stretching and breathing exercises!
Great reflections on NEXT and changes from the game!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Dating After 40 Expert
Beautiful San Francisco! You’ve just got to love that city!
Eileen
Social Media: 7 Reasons People Go Online. And You?
I try not to dwell on the past but it isn’t always easy. Deep breathing brings me to the present moment so I can go on. I have learned volumes from past mistakes.
Yours In Health!
Dr. Wendy M. Schauer, D.C., R.K.C.
Come Experience The Power of the Russian KettleBell Revolution at Kettlebell Olympia – Home of A Better Body With Bells!