This lands with rightness in me in more ways than I can count. The way you trusted your instincts to keep it simple, the easeful focus of your point, the economy of your insights—are all like a visible demonstration of that popular productivity inquiry, "What if it were easy?" It reminds me a little bit of the Bob Newhart "stop it" sketch. Pebble in your shoe? Just take it out. Just stop it. And I know you are making a case for no-fanfare here, but this sentence is like a one-line parade. "This, I realize, is how the right decisions are supposed to feel: like nothing at all."
Sam and I stopped drinking together and we constantly say to each other, “I can’t believe we don’t even THINK about drinking anymore.” It’s a total transformation, one that feels like a past life, and one that feels so easy now. It’s a very cool feeling.
The "Day at a time" trope is so powerful for me. A year, two years, ten years, forty years are all marked by days. One at a time. Next right thing. Well done brother.
“The void of effortlessness must be filled with explanation. Something grand, profound, exhaustive. All good things must be justified by a unifying theory of their goodness and a celebration of their significance, or they cease to be good at all.”
Like Rick said, in the simpleness of this little ode to yourself is so much richness. There might not have been a parade, but people all around the world are proud of you, Alex. Myself included.
YES! "This, I realize, is how the right decisions are supposed to feel: like nothing at all." and "The point of removing the pebble from the shoe... (is) to get back to walking." I used to think that the things that ignited great excitement in me were the "right decisions." Yet, they mainly ended up being flash-in-the-pan, unsustainable actions. Peace and Calm is where it's at for me, too, Alex.
This is brilliant Alex. Congrats on one year. I recently gave up occasional smoking and have found a similar journey. It’s amazing how one thinks that a certain “pebble” is a normal aspect of one’s life. But once that pebble is cast away, a new normal feels even better. And somehow more normal if that is a state of mind. Anywho, thanks for sharing your story. And keep those shoes free of pebbles.
This lands with rightness in me in more ways than I can count. The way you trusted your instincts to keep it simple, the easeful focus of your point, the economy of your insights—are all like a visible demonstration of that popular productivity inquiry, "What if it were easy?" It reminds me a little bit of the Bob Newhart "stop it" sketch. Pebble in your shoe? Just take it out. Just stop it. And I know you are making a case for no-fanfare here, but this sentence is like a one-line parade. "This, I realize, is how the right decisions are supposed to feel: like nothing at all."
Thanks so much Rick. What if it were easy is a great question to come back to and an easy one to forget.
Sam and I stopped drinking together and we constantly say to each other, “I can’t believe we don’t even THINK about drinking anymore.” It’s a total transformation, one that feels like a past life, and one that feels so easy now. It’s a very cool feeling.
The "Day at a time" trope is so powerful for me. A year, two years, ten years, forty years are all marked by days. One at a time. Next right thing. Well done brother.
Much appreciated David!
“The void of effortlessness must be filled with explanation. Something grand, profound, exhaustive. All good things must be justified by a unifying theory of their goodness and a celebration of their significance, or they cease to be good at all.”
Man, that struck me. So well said!
Thanks Ian!
Like Rick said, in the simpleness of this little ode to yourself is so much richness. There might not have been a parade, but people all around the world are proud of you, Alex. Myself included.
That warms my heart :)
YES! "This, I realize, is how the right decisions are supposed to feel: like nothing at all." and "The point of removing the pebble from the shoe... (is) to get back to walking." I used to think that the things that ignited great excitement in me were the "right decisions." Yet, they mainly ended up being flash-in-the-pan, unsustainable actions. Peace and Calm is where it's at for me, too, Alex.
Love it Christine!
A good start. Keep coming back.
This is brilliant Alex. Congrats on one year. I recently gave up occasional smoking and have found a similar journey. It’s amazing how one thinks that a certain “pebble” is a normal aspect of one’s life. But once that pebble is cast away, a new normal feels even better. And somehow more normal if that is a state of mind. Anywho, thanks for sharing your story. And keep those shoes free of pebbles.
Thanks for reading and for the kind words Stan!