Gold-medal athletes don’t become so in a day. It takes years and years to accomplish their goals. Many times, they fall. After each failure, they simply get up and continue on. So it is with me and my painting project.
I scheduled my progress for a woman of 50 years. In my mind, I’m her. Spunky and spiffy. Ready for a great challenge. Able to take care of any project I choose to tackle.
The reality is that I’m a 1955 vintage model. Most days, I’m motivated, but stiff and slow to move in the morning. I peek around noon and then decline in my enthusiasm until bed time. That being said, I do start my day at 4 AM.
Why, then, is this painting job whipping me into a puddle of sore muscles while the doors seem to be multiplying?
Yesterday, I felt victorious as I carried in a freshly painted door under my arm, careful not to scratch or in any way ruin the paint job. Once in the hallway, I realized there was a tiny little problem with the reinstallation. The hinges were about 1″ lower than their seats on the door jam.
Now, in my hay day, I’d have hoisted that door, held in in place with one arm and put in the screws with my free hand. That ship sailed into the night around year 50. So spoiled was I to have my hunky husband, VST. As you already know, he was strong and always at the ready to help a lady in distress. Yesterday, there was no hunky guy to come to the rescue. Oliver would have loved to help, but he was busy patrolling the yard for toads and random birds.
What to do? What to do?
I decided if the holes were too high, the door needed to be raised. With the help of 4 copies of my large print “Daily Bread”, the holes were at the correct height and and the screwing began.
Yesterday, I carried two freshly painted doors from the garage to the hallway and then rehung them! Gold medal for the lady!!!!!
Champions have some traits in common.
They know their abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and delusions. I am well aware that I won’t be painting the 12 foot ceilings in the family room and kitchen. Beyond my God-given abilities. But, I also discovered that I’m quite capable of taking down heavy doors and transporting them to the garage. After painting and carefully returning them to their rightful places, I rehung them. I’ll take that as a win.
Champions compete with themselves. If I did two doors yesterday, I will do two doors today. If I set a goal to have two rooms painted in June, on June 30th, I’ll be celebrating victory. Defeat is not an option. I may not be able to walk on July 1st, but two rooms will be freshly painted.
Focus is key. I’m finding that anything is a more attractive thought than painting. Truly, the toilet rings are fascinating me at this point. But, until all the doors are back on their hinges, I will remain true to the task and continue on.
With a belief that this is well within my ability, I will remain tough. Such an opportunity have I to increase my upper body strength and balance. I have a game plan. I will succeed.
All that being said, I am pretty whipped this morning. Wish me the best.
Whatever your Saturday holds, find some humor throughout the day and enjoy your minor successes. Life is a challenge. Accomplishments are proof of our efforts. Stay the course.
More tomorrow.