Beginnings are seldom as complicated as they seem. You know what I mean by complicated the dates and the duties and the things-to-be-remembered, the stuff that piles onto your plate with a new project or obligation. Whether its an urgent justice issue, a medical diagnosis forcing a changed lifestyle, or the work of starting a new job, the message is that a whole bunch of stuff HAS to be done, and you are the only one to do it, and do it NOW!

NOT.

What were talking about is STUFF. Stuff doesnt care how you feel, how busy you already are, or what you personally think is most important. On the road of life, stuff is the tailgater, pushing you to hurry up, go faster, respond to its schedule at the expense of your own. In life, as on the highway, Gandhi, teaches the best way to deal with a tailgater slow down.

When stuff presses you to move faster, accomplish more, or stress yourself harder than feels comfortable to you STOP. Just for a moment or longer if need be. Stop and breathe. Reconnect with your personal values. Take time to remember why you got involved in this project in the first place.

Remember YOU, not stuff are in charge. At the end of the day, what matters is who youve BEEN, not what youve DONE.

Thats where the old saying about eating the elephant one bite at a time comes in handy. At the beginning of any project, the question is not, What has to be done? but What do I need to do right now, today? Focus your energy, and the universe will come towards you. Taken one bite at a time, its true: Beginnings are seldom as complicated as they seem.

Maureen Killoran, 2004