If at first you don't succeed...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 11:23PM I always wonder what to write sometimes, when my life is just, I suppose 'normal'. You know, work, being at home and spending time with those I love... so I sit and think... hmmm what do people need to hear and then I get this little voice that tells me.... It's so cool! I suppose some would say I was psychic! ha ha ha
And that is exactly what happened tonight, and what I was shown was a situation when I was a single mom, and I taught Charlie how to dress himself. I remember showing him how to put his trousers on, and I had to show him that the label went at the back and that he had to flick his trousers forward to get them straight and then he would put his feet in, and wiggle in to them.
Then once he couldn't wiggle any more he had to then, get on his feet and pull them up... I spent ages teaching him this one Sunday afternoon. He loved it... he was only about 2 at the time, but he was so independent that I thought why not, he has to learn some time.
He kept trying and trying but he couldn't get them straight... but we laughed and then I showed him again and then he tried again, and then he couldn't get the other leg straight, and then he tried again... and still couldn't get it straight. Eventually he looked at me, and flicked them down, and then toddled round to the ankles of the trousers and bent down, and straightened them!
Whoohoo my boy had used his head and figured out another way around the problem... he then put his feet in the, now straight trousers on the floor, and wiggled and shuffled his way into them, and stood up!
Ta dah!! He had put on his own trousers... he was SO pleased with himself.
But it made me realize that there are so many times in life that as adults we give up... but actually we don't see a way around the problem. We have to look at it from every angle. We can learn so much from kids, they have determination and belief that they can do it, with the right encouragement. And thats all it is... encouragement.
We sometimes say we can't do something even when we haven't tried... never give up!
Now of course there are things that we can't do or somethings that are hard to change, and fix, and then you have to walk away... but you are not giving up, unless you have tried to fix it. But you have to be honest and ask... have you given it your all... If the answer is yes... then you can walk away satisfied that you can't do anymore, but if the answer is no... then try again... you may be surprised what you can achieve!
Big hugs and I thought I would share that little story with you.
Lisa
xx
Lisa Williams
For the safety of one poster given the nature of this, I have edited and removed some of the comments on this blog. I am responding personally.
I hope you understand why posts have been edited
With love
Lisa xx
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Reader Comments (34)
DO NOTHING -just enjoy the moment.
Know that you desearve it.
The universe loves you -alot.
Look after the ppl that you love.
Then relax, enjoy life, because like me, she knew, you were and are WORTH IT.
Now you have to beleive that too.
God Bless you and keep you.
Wendy Rosvall-Brookes
Dear Lisa, your blog about Charlie was touching. :-) ((((Hugs for you))))
All I could think of when I read your blog was how much fun you must be as a mum. Even instructing Charlie on how to put on a pair of pants was made into a fun activity...
I think I forgot that when Melissa was growing up... Lucky Charlie..
Lisa, I always enjoy when you share stories of Charlie...I guess it takes me back to when my own children were small and the things they did, their proud acheivements, their silliness, just everything really. I love how Charlie mastered HIS technique...yep, if there is a will....there's a way:)
Some of the most precious moments are those we share in a child's world. We should also realise that those special moments are what help children to become wonderful positive human beings and are vital both to them and to us. A moment spent with a child is never a moment wasted. Each and every one of them is so different and special in their own way. I have many times had a gladdened heart watching and participating in my grandchildren's growth. Amazing little beings they are!
Blessings to all,
Jeanette
Hi Lisa,
Well, you are right, that is good advice... Sometimes, we tend to give up things even unconsciencely. I have a wonderful friend who pushs me to sing and go to auditions. For me it is a bit too much. She lives far away now but everytime I have her on the phone, she tells me to try and try and repeats it again and again. She says that she doesn't want me to wake up at eighty years old and have regrets... I must admit I have difficulties to do it, I always find good reasons not to do it... So your blog may have convinced me now ;-)
Thank you Lisa ;-) and thank you for sharing Charlie's story, so nice ;-)
Have a great day,
Lise
<3<3
Hi Lisa, saw the earlier post. Wishing you well with everything. It sounded a bit like my mum and me. You might probably understand what i mean cos you are psychic.
My partner was laughing cos he said sounds like my mum. I guess that I am a sad girl with a cheeky side. xoxo. Love you, Lisa.
Always good to hear from you, Lisa.
I take it that Doggie was never found?
Enjoy your cruise.
peace...deb t/illinois
Well, for not knowing what you would blog when you sat down, you wrote a winner, Lisa! This is a great learning story. Thanks for sharing. Charlie will no doubt use it too when he is grown and teaching. ( if that is the direction he is led).
Honey, it's your site; edit away.........
Love you - enjoy your day...
Kids have a determination that we forget when we get older and its good to experience that with a child again to see that they see it as a fun challenge.. A photo is a just a piece of paper that cought a moment in time with colors on paper.
A memory is a living thought of that moment with movement sound visions and even smells.....how awesome are memories......HUGZ Much love and light.......just 2 more sleeeeeeps.....lol
Keith P Hyatt, esq.
aka Thee Yorky Puddin
Hi Lisa!
I havent been posting any comments for a number of weeks so just read everything to catch up here.
Glad you are enjoying life on the bus - sounds like great fun!
I related to your post about your friend with cancer. I had lunch today with my old friend who has the inoperable brain tumour and we had a ball! - laughed and laughed. I was amazed at how comfortable and upbeat he seemed, despite his devastating circumstances. It was just like old times and we can't wait to do lunch again!
Hello to everyone here!
Cheers,
Deb R :)
I tell my boys.....never say you "can't" do something.....I say it's like saying a bad word. If you get frustrated, take a moment to regroup, and then.....try again! Patience and positive thinking are your best allies! You will succeed.....just try again! Great post, Lisa! I can imagine li'l 2-year old Charlie wressling w/ those pants...very cute!!! Love and Hugs!
Ms Lisa I justed wanted to send you some LOVE today and make sure you know how much you mean to me and to everyone in this World your work is so Healing and full of Energy--You have touched my Heart and Soul on more than one occasion and I am sure I speak for many when I say this!! You are truly an Earth Angel to me and you and your work inspire so many=And help so many of us who are grieving a chance to have some answers and some closure if thats ever possible-
All My Love To You Today and Everyday Ms Lisa Your The Best
Love Sunday
Aw, this is a lovely story. I agree with you - we got so much to learn from children. They never give up, which we adults tend to do way too easily.
Hi Lisa, thanks for an inspirational story...
Thanks Lisa for this wonderful blog. I'm a mom too (have a 15 month old daughter) and I already have seen how encouragement goes a log way.
My daughter gave me the most encouragement when she was born; NEVER GIVE UP ON LIFE. I almost passed away when I gave birth to her, and also had to give up the notion of having more children (in order for me to live, I had to have my uterus taken out).
My daughter has been my inspiration; in a time when I was asking "Why?", I just looked at her and deep down inside I knew the answer. I'm a better person b/c of what happened
.
Thanks again.
Hi Lisa, thankyou for the story about Charlie. Children can enrich our lives with such simple tasks. Watching your children grow up so fast, its scary. I have been blessed with 6 children, last 2 been twins. It's not easy been a mum but you strive ahead, as tomorrow is another day, it can only get better. I cherish my children even thou some days you just want to give up. I am lucky that my children are growing up as responsible adults. I enjoy your shows and wish I wasnt so forgetful and attended your show in Australia. Perhaphs next time..............Thanks LIsa
keep up the great work.
Lisa, Thanks for sharing your cute story about Charlie. Kids grow up too fast, don't they.
Would you share some pictures of your cruise with us land locked folk? :) Have a wonderful time in the tropical sun.
Hugs, Kristina
Hi Lisa,
Hope you are well! I have always been one to figure out alternate ways to do something; as they say "necessity is the mother of invention!" These detours in life are a means to teach us a way to survive in a world that is not always so friendly.
I enjoy watching survival shows because it teaches us (in the extreme) that if we don't adapt to the situations in which we are thrown; we could very well be doomed!
I suppose that is why we do our children (etc) a great disservice when we do too much for them! They never will understand,or learn how to fend for themselves and exist under not-so-perfect situations.
We also have to have the grace to accept the hand which we have been delt and instead of sitting back and feeling sorry for ourselves; we need to find the positive and make the best with what we have. When I drove down to the LA area to attend your Event, and it seemed that all the forces were against me to attend; I made the best of the situation and thought about all the good I had gained instead of what I had missed.
I had the most beautiful drive down, with the most gorgeous views of nature I had seen in a long while ; which actually put me in a place of pure ecstasy! I pushed myself to do a near 400 mile drive down the coast of California, when I usually feel I cannot drive even a few miles away from home attending to ordinary, daily mundane matters! My reward was being able to see you, and again be blessed with your caring attitude and heartfelt hugs. Another lovely bonus was being able to see and visit with some of the warm and welcoming LW Family members! It was an abundance of riches!
Everything I went through to be there for the brief moments of love and friendship were so special that I would do it all again to acheive the same result! An entire weekend had been distilled into a few moments of perfect beauty! Instead of missing out on abundance; I was given one lovely drop of Heaven.
Love and Hugs Always,
Cheryl
Dear Cheryl P, your words are beautiful and touching. Thank you for that.
Lisa, I am always amazed at how your timing is so "right on" in your blogs/messages! Seriously! Amazing! I have been dealing with the same message -- am I doing enough? Should I keep trying? Am I missing something? I found your blog to be incrediblely what I needed to read tonight -- once again, I am in awe.
And that bit aside -- I can "see" lil Charlie determined to get the point of dressing himself....and your joy at the process! Thx sooo much for your blog entries! I love you so much!
Cherly P that was a beautiful post.To CHitra hope you are doing well -)
I was wondering if there has been any news of Charlie's Doggie.
Thank you very much for posting this, it gives me at least some hope. I have tried several times to 'fix' certain woes in my life (mainly the extreme anxiety disorder and emotional numbness that I have that causes all sorts of horrible symptoms I didn't even know could exist) and have mostly failed in these attempts. If I do start to get better something always happens and I go down again and it gets worse than ever before. As it is now It feels (and looks) like I really have given up and I don't know if it is possible to lose such a think but I feel that I have very little of my former willful self left. I don't like it very much but I keep failing...and falling, and I often lose faith in myself.
A very disheartening situation indeed, one I wish to escape and although I feel as if I already have given up and lost I do wonder often if that is just a matter of misplaced perspective. Perhaps, just perhaps, there is some side of me that still hasn't given up the fight yet and (although I can not feel it) will help me recover from what plagues me. Perhaps I should try one last time, and perhaps others in my position should do so as well.
...If not for ourselves then for those others around us who love us unconditionally, right? What is that phrase, "if we but have the faith of a mustard seed," or something like that?