After writing the post, “Spa Daze”, on my Cancer Journey
Blog about the relaxing day I spent at a spa, getting pampered with a massage,
facial and manicure and pedicure, I was reminded of an essay I wrote several
years ago, titled, “The Feet Go Forward!” It was published in the November 2006
issue of Change Magazine, and has
special meaning for me now, because its focus is about keeping a positive
attitude and maintaining a steady course no matter what obstacles life throws
in your path. I hope you find inspiration in its message.
THE FEET GO FORWARD!
By Gloria Hander
Lyons
You need to pay close attention as you go through life,
because sometimes the most important lessons show up when you least expect
them.
On my wedding day, many years ago, my mother and I rushed
around frantically, getting me dressed for the big event. My hair was
professionally coiffed, my make-up was flawlessly applied, and my wedding gown
hung, neatly pressed, on a hanger over my bedroom door. Everything seemed to be
running smoothly, but our nerves were frazzled after months of tedious
planning; and we struggled with the reality that the “big day” was finally here.
The ceremony wasn’t scheduled to begin until 7:30 that
evening, but sleeping late wasn’t an option for me. I awoke before dawn, like an
anxious child on Christmas morning. But even with such an early start, it
seemed there was still too much to do and too little time left, as the hours flew
by.
Approaching the final deadline, we wrestled impatiently to
remove a new pair of panty hose from its packaging, fumbling awkwardly to
unfold the shriveled, stretchy garment. In my mounting hysteria, I cried, “Where’s
the front?”
My sixteen-year-old sister, who calmly watched this comical
scene with detached amusement, quipped, “The feet go forward!”
My mother and I couldn’t help but laugh at her totally
unexpected remark. It was a welcome release from our self-imposed stress. That
brief moment of humor helped us keep things in perspective as we enjoyed the evening’s
celebration.
I have many fond memories from that special day, but it
wasn’t until a few years later that I recalled my sister’s humorous comment. While
intended to poke fun at my frenzied emotional state, I realized it was actually
a metaphor for a positive and productive life.
I decided long ago to put this philosophy into practice. The
feet should always go forward. Throughout
my life, no matter what problems I faced, no matter how indecisive I felt, no
matter how tempted I was to stop moving or turn and retreat, those words of
wisdom kept me going.
I’ve encountered the usual crises during my life’s journey: fear
and uncertainty over the loss of a comfortable income; and the feeling of
failure, rejection and emptiness after an unexpected divorce. But even though
my steps were small, I never allowed myself to stop moving forward.
Later in life, while searching for a new career, I realized that
my fear of making the wrong decision prevented me from taking risks and reaching
for new goals. Once again, I called upon that sage advice. My forward pace was
slow while testing my options, but maintaining my momentum pushed me into new
territory, offering unique opportunities that might otherwise have been lost.
But the most important lesson I learned from this “forward
thinking” philosophy is that I should never turn around and go back the way I came.
Repeating the same mistakes produces the same results, and covering old ground
won’t move me in a positive direction. Life is too short to waste time going
around in circles.
“The feet go forward.” Following that advice has helped me
weather many storms during my lifetime. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep
moving, especially when unforeseen events knock us to our knees. Just remember
to keep your feet going forward, and your eyes and ears and mind open to all
the possibilities that come your way. Pay attention, because some of life’s
most important lessons turn up when and where you least expect them.
No matter what happens, just keep moving forward!
