Don't Look Ahead

If your path seems overwhelming, there is space to be found, right where you are.

Photo taken by the author (the Rio Grande and mountains in Mexico from Big Bend Ranch State Park, TX)

I turned onto my exit, leaving one highway for another. Just like every morning, I was supposed to merge four lanes left through a mess of cars eager to move four lanes right.

But today I looked ahead, and from my elevated vantage point on the ramp, the jam appeared endless, with red taillights for miles.

My stomach clenched.

“Oh no,” I said (but with more colorful language).

Then I remembered sometimes it’s best not to look ahead.

In these situations, it helps to be patient, move slowly and deliberately, and focus only on the vehicles in my immediate vicinity.

As I made my way to the left lane, I found a little space here and there. I inched ahead, slowly breaking free of the snarl. What had happened to the endless red mess? I was in it, and it didn’t seem so bad.

Soon, I was driving freely. It was not easy or enjoyable, because traffic never is—but it was manageable and not at all like my mind said it would be when I looked ahead.

A more pleasant, but similar situation is staring up a mountain trail – the whole thing seems overwhelming, but we can reach the top one step at a time. There is space right here and right now.

Scrutinizing all that’s in your path – whether it’s tasks in a day, months of post-surgery recovery, a lengthy treatment timeframe, or an unknown disease course – can make you feel defeated. Make you want to give up.

But our perceptions aren’t always accurate.

  “It will be awful…”

  “It will be so painful…”

  “It’s never-ending…”

  “It is too hard…”

These warnings from our minds are often overblown. Even if they hold some truth, they aren’t helpful when we’re facing life’s challenges (or Houston traffic).

What is helpful is focusing your attention on this moment, this movement, this breath, this step. Notice there is relief in the here and now.

Soon, that long, formidable road ahead will shift to distance you’ve traveled. You glimpse at your rearview mirror, surprised to see all you’ve overcome.

And you just keep moving forward.

kek

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