Have you ever felt that the challenges you face are preventing you from getting where you want to be in life? Did you think you would be further along at this point? You have a destination in mind but life is taking you on what seems to be other routes or detours?
I would like you to consider that you are on exactly the path you are meant to be on!
I discovered an analogy that opened my eyes to a new way of looking at my challenges. Maybe it can do the same for you.
As part of my fitness plan, I walk and this is what changed my perspective.
Did you know that walking backwards has health benefits? I didn’t, until recently.
Walking backwards can…
- strengthen muscles you don’t often use
- put less strain on the knees
- increase body awareness
- decrease lower back pain
- improve coordination
- sharpen our senses and mental clarity
Walking backwards improves not only our physical fitness but also our mental health.
The more I learned about the benefits, the more I wanted to add walking backwards to my exercise plan.
It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
While walking backwards I…
- walked much slower than when walking forward
- wasn’t as coordinated
- felt awkward
- often lost my place listening to my podcasts because I had to focus on my steps
- received strange looks from others
It felt really different. In fact, the first time I walked backwards, I didn’t walk for very long. It was difficult and I doubted the benefits.
I stuck with it though and as the days have passed, I’ve been able to increase my time walking backwards. It’s still not easy but I’m able to go farther distances. I feel the lesser used muscles getting stronger. I’m increasing my coordination and mental clarity.
How does this apply to our lives?
Think of the challenges you are facing right now.
Perhaps you’re a young mother who has no time to develop her talents because of the demands of child-rearing. Maybe you’re struggling with health concerns, or facing financial setbacks. The list goes on.
What if you understood those challenges to be like walking backwards.
- You feel awkward, uncomfortable or confused. Why is this happening to me, you ask?
- Your progress is slowed down or seems halted. You’re not getting where you want to be.
- You’re not doing things the way you thought you would.
- You feel judged by others.
- It’s impossible to focus on your original goals.
Even though you believe you are moving slower and facing away from your destination, even though it’s uncomfortable to discover unused muscles, remember that you are constantly moving toward your destination.
You’re not off-course. You are headed in the right direction. You are being provided the opportunity to discover new skills. You’re developing faith, patience, trust and growing in understanding.
This is when we come to learn that the process is teaching us more and differently from what we anticipated.
When your life is not turning out as you once planned, remember the benefits of walking backwards. It can remind you that that you are acquiring unexpected qualities and skills while moving toward your destination.
With love,
