So, What Are You Waiting For?

by earthriderjudyberman In Inspiration, Nature, Outdoors 34 Comments

 

Watkins Glen State Park - July 2014 (47)

By Judy Berman

I’m often drawn to walks by a babbling brook in the woods – virtually or in reality – when I want to sort things out.

It’s a calming place and allows me to reflect.

The philosophy of positive thinkers tumbles thru my mind and often helps me overcome challenges to my goals.

In nature, I find a new perspective and hope.

Maya Angelou said, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone thru to achieve that beauty.”

Butterfly - Polyommatus_Eros_common_meadow_blue_Lycaenidae

The caterpillar wasn’t content to wander along the leaves and grass. Even before it knew its destiny, it no doubt looked at butterflies and longed to fly.

To get where you want, you have to risk change.

When you doubt your ability to fulfill your dream, when you think your goal is out of your reach … impossible. Think of the bumblebee.

“Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway,” says Mary Kay Ash.

Bee - Honey Bee Happy Dance

Don’t set limits for yourself.

Shift your thinking to what is possible and then work toward what some, maybe even yourself, think impossible. You’ll be surprised what you can achieve.

Like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” you don’t have to travel to far-flung places to experience life and be successful. He discovered that he was a success right where he lived.

You can, too.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream,” C.S. Lewis said.

And, lastly, Mark Twain once said: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

So, what are you waiting for?

Liverpool - Onondaga Lake Park - July 2014 (6)

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Judy Berman and earthrider, 2011-15. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to (Judy Berman) and (earthrider, earth-rider.com, or earthriderdotcom) with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

What dream have you been putting off too long?

 

Music Video from “Beverly Hills Cop” – Patti LaBelle “New Attitude” (1985) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWfZ5SZZ4xE 

 

Photo: Watkins Glen, New York – taken by Judy Berman – June 2014

Photo: Butterfly – taken by Charlesjsharp on July 1, 2013 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Polyommatus_Eros_common_meadow_blue_Lycaenidae.jpg/640px-Polyommatus_Eros_common_meadow_blue_Lycaenidae.jpg

Photo: Bee – Honey Bee – taken by Bob Peterson on April 12, 2012, North Palm Beach, Florida http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Honey_Bee_Happy_Dance_%287075103325%29.jpg/480px-Honey_Bee_Happy_Dance_%287075103325%29.jpg

Photo: Canada Geese in Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool, New York – taken by Judy Berman – June 2014

  1. This is so true. Having the dream is the easy part, following through takes faith and courage and endurance!

    We may be sisters from a different mother Judy. I have a favourite spot by a local river that I do my thinking and I’m drawn to all bodies of water when travelling. ❤

    Chase down your dream Judy. 😀

    Diana xo

    1. I like that “we may be sisters from a different mother.” Diana, we definitely are kindred spirits. Bodies of water are among my favorite thinking spots.

      Thanks for the encouragement, Diana. I have to walk the walk and talk the talk. 😉

  2. Ah, just the inspiration I needed Judy! Have been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately….think I need to borrow a leaf out of the caterpillar’s book 🙂

  3. Beautiful photos. I know from your other posts that you enjoy thinking amidst the glory and joys of nature. I’m too sleepy and filled with Christmas cookies to think about dreams deferred right now. 🙂 Hope you had a great Christmas!

    1. We did have a wonderful Christmas, Merril, and hope you and your family did as well. I can relate to the Christmas cookie overload. About this time of year, I think the candy and cookie makers conspire with the diet and exercise pushers. 😉

  4. Your chain of quotes are coherent and lovely. I too like quiet walks close to a brook or stream. It occurs to me that the land lends stability while the water evokes reflection.

    I guess the ending of the old year has beckoned us both to go to quotes for inspiration this week!

    1. Thank you, Marian. I like your analogy about the land and water. Both bring a peace that I love.

      I wish that I could have found a logical place to include Carl Jung’s quote: “Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.” 😉

  5. “New Attitude” is a great name for the song AND for your inspirational post, Judy. I loved both.
    One of my favorite ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve is to watch falling snow outside and have time to think–really think and sort through things–and then wake up the next morning and get started planning how to fulfill the plans from the night before.
    New Year’s Eve is the one time where I really hope for a lot of snow, to muffle distractions and to cloak everything in clean white so I can begin fresh the next morning.

    1. I had toyed with “New Attitude” as the name for this post, Marilyn. It’s a wonderful, uplifting song.

      What a wonderful way to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Fresh fallen snow. The new year and the world is blanketed in soft, clean white snow. Lovely. That is a calming way to look at the world. Happy New Year, Marilyn. 😉

  6. I live with somebody who dreams big and acts big. He sets goals and goes after them. He is constantly learning and “stretching” himself. His motto is “What’s the worst that can happen?” He’s not afraid of failure because he doesn’t consider it an option, really. Right now he is sitting in the other room with his Rosetta Stone headphones on practicing Spanish. Do you detect that I look up to my husband a bit? I really do, and I’m glad some of his zest for life rubs off on me. Love this post, Judy. Beloved Husband would too.

    1. Beloved Husband has the right approach, Barbara. That reminds me that I have to get back to practicing my Italian. While I’ve used Rosetta Stone to learn French and Spanish – minimally – I will be working with Duolingo. It’s a free online language program.

      That zest for life is contagious. Wishing you both a Happy New Year. 😉

      2. One of my former ESOL students, a native of the Dominican Republic, told me about it. I began it just before school started and had to stop while I immersed myself in the school district’s (and state’s) new curriculum. But I plan to get back to it during our winter break.

        Best wishes to you. 😉

    1. Thanks for the positive affirmation, Mark. I’m still a work in progress and know that I’m procrastinating on a goal I have. I need to change my slacker ways. 😉 Happy New Year to you and your lovely wife, Karen. 😉

  8. This is a wonderful and positive post to start a new year . One of my dreams is get some of my many novellas , poems, short stories and the odd book lying about published …maybe next year.
    Also my aim next year is ‘to get out there’ I have suffered with social phobia for many years but now I feel am coming ‘out of the box’ It feels so liberating . Today I start a new job , it’s only a basic job , but I am so proud of myself for getting it …who knows what time will bring .
    Cherryx

    1. Cherry … I wish you all the best in getting your writing published. That is my goal, too – not just this blog. I began writing a novel and put it aside. This year, I will focus more of my energy on that.

      Good for you for deciding ‘to get out there.’ I’ve enjoyed your comments on my posts. I know that others also would find you an interesting person to chat with and mingle with. Much success on your new job. A positive attitude is a great approach to all aspects of our lives. Happy 2015. 😉

  9. Such a wonderful collection of thoughts to lift our spirits and motivate us to get up and going, Judy! I enjoyed the bumblebee’s reminder along with the enjoyment of the waterfalls, babbling brooks and other sources of calmness and serenity. In my neck of the woods, they aren’t frozen yet, so it is worth going for a walk, sitting on a cold bench (with a longer padded coat on, of course!) and feeling the peace sink into our bones.

    1. It might be a brisk walk in your neck of the woods, but I imagine the view is still lovely. Even on that ice-cold bench. Thank you for your comments, Robin. Happy 2015 to you and yours. (As I was commenting on your blog, I saw that you were posting on mine. I had to chuckle as we were both thinking of each other at the same time.) 😉

    1. The butterfly and bumblebee quotes are a refreshing way to look at the world and they were new to me as well. Maya Angelou was a very inspirational writer. Glad you enjoyed the post, Kath. 😉

  14. Judy, I could cyberhug you. Just what I needed to hear today! This is always a time of regrouping, isn’t it, before we hurl ourselves at our coming year….I shall treasure your words, particularly that quote from CS Lewis, one of my heroes. Have a wonderful New Year, you and yours.

  15. For 2015, I hope to be like a bumblebee. To fly and chase for my dreams no matter how many obstacles and negativity I may encounter along the way. End of 2014, my wife and I embraced wellness and positivity. It wasn’t easy as many tried to grab and steal of inner source of light and joy but we persevered and for 2015, we will try our best to pursue the things that gives meaning to our lives. Thank you for inspiring us my friend. I so needed to read this today.

    1. I love that bumblebee’s spirit, too, Island Traveler. If you are told something is impossible, would you even begin the challenge? It’s better to discover for yourself what you can do and surprise others by what they did not think was possible. Glad that you and your family are doing well and wish you all the best in the new year. 😉

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