Caution:  Don’t try this at home.  It’s really just a thought……

What a great idea!!!  Getting our of your own way so you can move forward through life and do the things that you are meant to do.  Unfortunately for many of us it’s not as easy as it sounds.  If only I could push myself to the side and step on through.

It’s such an interesting concept really — not being able to move forward.  Physically, if you are lucky, you can.  Intellectually, you know what you want to do next.   But there is something causing you paralysis.  Something blocking your way.  Unseen, unheard, unfelt.  But most definitely IN YOUR WAY.  I think we all must feel like this at one time or another.   Perhaps it is caused by an emotional setback.  Or maybe pure exhaustion.  But even then, your intellect will tell you – “Go on move your lazy ass.  You’ll feel better”.  And yet you sit.  And think.  And maybe worry.  It’s actually often a vicious cycle.  The more you think and worry the more you feel paralyzed.  At least that’s often how it works for me.

Well here’s an idea.  Get someone else to push you out of the way.  I mean literally push you out of the way.  Not an aggressive or violent push, just a gentle nudge.  Sometimes your friends and loved ones will try to do this with words.  “Come on Karen, go for a run – you look like you’ve put on a few lbs.  Come have lunch with me.  Let’s go shopping.”   The hope is that the simple act of moving might get you going.  But words rarely work for me as a motivator.  Eventually, of course, I will get going and it may depend on whatever it is that is paralyzing me.  Is it grief, sadness, anger?  Some things cause you to be more stuck than others.  But sometimes I find that I actually might need a physical nudge.  So friends, next time I say “I just can’t go.  I don’t want to.  I’m not moving.  I can’t get off the couch.”  Please come over and nudge me on the shoulder.  Don’t throw me on the floor or push me down.  But move me in a direction.  Any direction.  Maybe the act of moving will take hold and I’ll find myself a little further down the street.  On my way to my next stop.  It’s worth a try!