Bumper Cars

Dear Reader

Bumper cars are supposed to be fun. You drive like crazy, and it’s okay to run into things, back up and go a different direction—even run into the other cars. Sometimes life feels like bumper cars in a way that’s not so fun. You go forward, expecting to meet with success, and you just run into another bumper. At first it’s not too bad—at least until you’ve gone all the way around the perimeter and there’s nothing but bumpers.

How do we go from bumper cars to moving toward what we really want? I think it’s often by baby steps. Finding a window that gives us a view of what we really want. Beginning to imagine that it’s possible. Taking a step in that direction. Usually there’s another bumper. So, back up, and see if you can go around that obstacle. And maybe, somewhere in there, we’ve learned a new step, or developed a new habit that keeps us moving.

After a while, with enough steps, enough stops and redirections, we look around and something is different. Something we didn’t think possible is right here at hand. Often, we forget to look back at where we came from. It’s easy to forget how many steps we’ve taken, how much we’ve learned along the way, what skills and knowledge we’ve accumulated—the number of bumpers we’ve managed to get around.

Our “new normal” makes it easy to forget where we started and what it took to get to this new place. It’s worth looking back. Noticing how many steps, what perseverance, curiosity, and courage it took to move forward. And noticing what we have now in our experience—the tools in our back pocket, the knowledge and insight, the strength of character that can help us face whatever is here now.

Take a look back. See where you’ve been, how you’ve grown. And then look forward. Where would you like to go next? What have you already done that will help you get there?

Along your path forward, if you’d like to make some felt or explore your movement patterns, please join me for Magical Felt Vessels at the Jung Center of Houston or online for some Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons. Tuesdays lessons are still free/pay as you wish. The new April Thursday series starts next week and the focus is Ankles, Knees and Hips. Or maybe you’d like to try some personal coaching with me.

Whether you’re looking backward or forward, please have all the fun you can!