It’s a new year. A new beginning. A time of renewal, of shedding, of growing. And in keeping with tradition, I make changes – vows and promises and goals to better myself for the year ahead. And in keeping with tradition, often these vows and promises and goals are forgotten, ignored or flat out discarded by springtime. So, this year I’m keeping it real . . . small. I’m eliminating the BIG NO (no carbs, no sugar, no caffeine etc. I mean REALLY?) and incorporating the small yes (yes to moderation and more reading and drinking water). But I’m keeping it real . . . small.
I’m not yet touting or recommending this book as I am just giving it a try: The Power of Small: Making Tiny Changes When Everything Feels Too Much by Aisling Leonard-Curtin & Dr. Trish Leonard-Curtain (2020). But I’m sharing it nonetheless. I do know that community helps with success and completion, so I gifted it to my sister, my daughter and a few other friends and family members. We are all giving it a go and keeping it small (although this is my sister’s year of saying NO – that’s another story altogether).
In The Power of Small, the premise is that all too often we humans deal with the overwhelming-ness of life by thinking too big. We make big sweeping changes, invest in quick-fix solutions, say NO to all the “bad” stuff and embrace with abandon all the “good” stuff. This pattern leads to disappointment and failure as fads and irrational (although well intentioned) changes are unsustainable in the long run. The authors (both psychologists married to each other) suggest we start “thinking in small, incremental steps – and this way, [start] laying the foundations and building blocks for sustainable, long-lasting change” (xx).
It’s a small book with small, short chapters. Things look good for keeping it small. But the first section – The Comfort Trap – scares me already. I like comfort. Who doesn’t? Comfort is nice and safe, and it feels good. But I do know that getting too comfortable leads to stagnation. I find myself rooted too often in practices that are time consuming but unfulfilling. This year my word is MOVE. I wear the word on my wrist or keep it forefront in my mind so when procrastination or indolence or indulgence creep in, I’m motivated to MOVE from that practice into something more productive. I’m stepping out in faith and hope that some of the small suggestions, practices and inward glances in The Power of Small will lead to incremental adjustments that like bricks added one by one, build a strong and lasting structure.
One of the first chapters in The Comfort Trap section is entitled The Self-Care Zone. This I can get behind. This is one area of my life where I do not skimp. And I’ve designed this phase of my life and livelihood to reflect self-care – taking care of the mind, body and spirit. Thus, TRS Ranch Retreats – a place of respite and renewal and reflection. Book a stay now and start to flex your self-care muscles. We will help you Transform and Restore your Spirit. It’s a small step towards your best self.
Transform Restore your Spirit . . . Tami