The sharp drop in temperature in the UK and the first hard frosts of the year made me think about being frozen. I’m not talking abut being cold after cycling into the office but about being in a static state whether that’s through fear, lethargy or not knowing what to do next.
Much like the British pastime of moaning about weather we can blame external factors – other people, the lack of opportunity, financial hardship, a poor education, no support from friends, a difficult job, bad genes or a whole host of other things. They may be true and valid but if they leave us feeling stuck or frozen solid in a place we don’t want to be then what are we to do?
There are some situations where it will be hard to find any small step forward such as terminal illness but mostly we can do something different that stops us being static. It’s doesn’t have to be a grandiose plan, a precisely plotted activity that corresponds to some carefully evaluated life plan we have crafted. Sometimes a more random and creative step can be enough to unlock things.
For example restarting a long forgotten hobby, like cycling, might reawaken a passion and purpose long buried. I recently started a new job where one of the joys is that I can cycle to the office. This wouldn’t have been so important if I hadn’t rekindled my interest in cycling over the last couple of years, culminating in rebuilding a cherished bike last year. The upshot was it became more important to work locally and when I started a job search the only permanent roles I looked at were in my home town.
Getting unstuck or defrosted and remaining so requires a little heat, a source of energy. The sunlight this morning quickly melted the frost. We need to put ourselves in the way of warmth and light. Another word for this energy is inspiration. This can come from the arts, the lives of others, nature or some quiet reflection on the many good things we have. Whatever your situation having some positive input can be just a enough to keep us moving, trying to find our way and not giving up. One artist that never fails to provide some inspiration for me is Martyn Joseph – the Welsh Springsteen. We battled through terrible weather and traffic to see him recently wondering if it was worth the effort. It was, as like all true art, questions were asked and we were taken beyond the closed thoughts of ourselves.
Whatever you’re situation never stay frozen and static. It’s better to keep moving, trying little creative experiments encouraged by the inspiration we receive. You’ll never know what might happen next. Sometimes knowing what you want to do comes after doing it.
What are you going to try to ensure you don’t freeze?
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The Meaning of Me
December 4, 2012 at 2:29 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
What a great thought – We need to put ourselves in the way of warmth and light. Much of success or change, I think, is about being open to whatever possibilities might exist. Thoreau’s idea – only that day dawns to which we are awake.
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Peter Hall
December 9, 2012 at 10:00 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Thanks, being awake (or open) to new possibilities is an important part of living well.
Steve
December 8, 2012 at 10:38 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hey Peter, love your message here. I have a friend who blames external factors when he gets stuck. It’s hard to talk to him about it since he doesn’t want to admit that he’s just blaming outside things instead of what he could be doing.
This post actually reminds me of something I’ve been meaning to do. Recently I’ve been stuck when it comes to exercise. I was in the best shape of my life a few months ago, but I’ve had to stop going to the gym because school has been so tremendously busy for me. Plus now that I’m in Morocco, I haven’t had much access to a good exercise area. So I think I just need to do something to get unstuck. Maybe I’ll reconnect with what I originally loved about working out and that will help me find a way to get back into it.
Steve
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Peter Hall
December 9, 2012 at 10:07 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Steve,
I understand the concern with your friend. It’s really hard to talk to people who don’t want to take any personal responsibility. Some gentle questions is sometimes as much as we can do.
Changing tack on exercise is one I’ve been working on this year. I used to do a lot of running but was having problems with my ankles. With a change of job I’m now cycling into work. It’s great to be able to build exercise into the daily routine with little extra time or effort.