Posted by Karen (66.26.59.214) on January 31, 2003 at 22:58:36:
In Reply to: Total Failure is a Bold Aspiration posted by froggyTheFrog (68.35.113.192) on January 25, 2003 at 03:15:05:
Can you see the progress you've made now, that some time has passed?
Gregory Bateson pointed out to his daughter, in a conversation about why things get in a muddle, that there are much fewer places an item (in this case her paintbox, I believe) can be and be considered "tidy" than there are places it can be and be considered "untidy". So the odds are wildly in favor of muddles.
What about a list of successes you can add to when you see them? I know my tendency is to make long depressing "to-do" lists...what about a "done" list to keep out and look at when feeling overwhelmed? (I'm talking to myself here, too). Sometimes I think about how bad it could get if I truly gave up- as in, I could be living on a median somewhere in a cardboard box- and think, hey, I'm actually doing pretty okay... So to start your success list- if you haven't already- it sounds like you have a really good relationship with FP; you act with your conscience; you care about others; you're responsible. All of this counts for a lot, whether the laundry's done or not.
Hope you feel better.