I Get Knocked Down

I’m really not in the mood to write today. 

Last night I put the first coat of primer on our new porch floorboards and lattice.  I worked into the night, using the light of the moon (and a heavy duty work light) so that I could see what I was doing.  It took me 2½ hours rather than the one hour I was expecting.  I burned my thumb on the work light, and my paint brush hand felt permanently cramped. 

I was too tired after cleaning up my brush to drag myself upstairs to bed, so I laid on the couch watching television until the wee hours.  Sad to say, I was watching programs that were saved for me by TiVo, so they would have been available for me to view at any time – not just the wee hours.  

I finally went up to bed, only to be woken up by my son at 5:40 am.  He was bright-eyed and raring to go.  I was stumbling around barely able to open my eyes, as I had only slept for about four hours.  While dragging my aching body around the house in the early morning, I managed to smash the toes of my left foot on the baby gate at the bottom of our stairs.  They still hurt. 

Who is writing this article, you say?  Doesn’t sound like my usual stuff, does it?  Well, I’m human too.  I have crummy days just like everyone else does.  I sometimes make bad decisions (such as staying up well past the time any mother of a toddler should).  I may say or do the wrong thing.   I occasionally get crabby.   

However, I do my best to minimize the number of crummy days I have.  Actually, I do my best to minimize the number of crummy hours and minutes I have.  Crummy days are bound to come along though, because life is not an endless sequence of perfect pleasures.   

When I feel like I’ve hit bottom, it’s then that I remember the wise words of the “one hit wonder” Chumbawamba, from their song Tubthumping: “I get knocked down, but I get up again.  You’re never gonna keep me down.”  Or, for a more literary reminder, I recall this Japanese proverb: “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”

The secret to success and happiness lies in getting back up again after you’ve been knocked down by life.  Not just one time, but every time you get knocked down.  Do whatever it takes to get back up; knowing that sometimes just getting back up is the hardest step.  Moving forward is a lot easier once you’re on your feet!

You CAN do it.  Wish me luck with the next three coats of primer and paint!  J

Call Lisa at (614) 262-8820 to arrange a complimentary coaching session or click here to send an email.  

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Here's one of the many reasons I get up again. 

 (I can't help myself.  I had to add this picture.)

Life Navigation Coaching
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The Explorer is published monthly to inspire curious people – people who love to explore, discover, and learn – to go out and get what they want.  It is written by Lisa M. Evans, Ph.D., of Life Navigation Coaching, who coaches people to close the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

You can contact Lisa at (614) 262-8820 or by e-mail at lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com.

Visit Life Navigation Coaching at www.lifenavigationcoaching.com to learn more about life coaching, Lisa, and opportunities for you.

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