When we think about what we want to create or achieve in our life or when we share it with a friend or relative, it often is immediately followed with a question of “how will that happen?” instead of positive thinking or well wishes.

But please – ignore the question because we should not be focusing on the how’s.

The “how” can be paralyzing. It can stop us from taking the first step because it feels like we should have it all mapped out and that first step must be perfect. Or we get into analysis paralysis where we become overwhelmed with all the possible solutions. And so we may never take the first step at all.

The “how” can be limiting. Focusing on the how and running with a solution we’ve laid out is the equivalent to putting blinders on. In reality, an infinite number of how’s exist! The way we become wealthy/happy/free/peaceful may very well not even be invented yet! By focusing on the how’s, we are limiting the possibilities to what we know and may end up closing ourselves to the ultimate solution.

The “how” can be distracting. Making sure we make all the right steps in reaching our goals takes us away from the experience. Is it more important to check off the boxes of each step or is it more important to feel happy/fulfilled/complete in the process which may very well come from out-of-the-box solutions?

Don’t get so caught up in the how – take the first step that feels right unto itself – not because it is part of the grander scheme you have mapped out or because it is sure to bring about XYZ. Take that first step that lights you up, that calls and invites you to take it and then, don’t be afraid to do that with the second step and third step and so on.

Our natural inclination as children is to learn something and then constantly practice until that thing becomes knowledge.

When a child learns about numbers and then about counting, they count everything. They count normal things like cookies, crayons or people. But then they also count things you and I probably wouldn’t count like dots on a stool (real life example happening right now). Everything is interesting enough to count!

They make mistakes. Oh so many miscounts, skipping over indidivual numbers or entire sections. But they don’t really beat themselves up about the mistake – a little chuckle and they keep going.

They celebrate and are enthusiastic about each step. Something as small as being able to (correctly) say that there are two balloons deserves all the YAY’s and applause.

The thing with something that comes as naturally to us as counting is that we all started somewhere. And we did it before we were “ready.” Before we knew what came after 10 or knew how to do it correctly.

Children are innately wise, and carry themselves as all lifelong learners should.

As we embark on learning new things, whether that be art, meditation or a sport, let’s approach it the way toddlers approach counting. Do it enthusiastically even if you make mistakes. Chuckle off those mistakes. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Apply that knowledge everywhere and bring others along on the journey (counting alone is no fun). And celebrate every milestone!

“Once you see, you can’t unsee,” they say.

When the paradigms and structures that we believe are overturned after witnessing something, we have a choice – 1) to live a life where we live in that new paradigm and try to get others to understand what we have seen or 2) to bury that memory away and live life like everyone else.

Which do you choose to be?

Hard things are hard, until they aren’t anymore.

Sometimes that switch happens in an instant. Something happens, and *snap* whatever made it hard no longer exists.

Sometimes that change happens over time as we wear away at the hard thing. Blogging daily was hard last year. Especially after that first month or so. Today, it feels more familiar.

If someone told me a year ago that blogging daily would feel familiar, like seeing an old friend, I would probably have lightly scoffed and said, “Maybe for you but I think it will be hard for much longer.”

The thing is – hard things are hard, until they aren’t anymore.