Somehow, I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.
Walt Disney



I am still working on confidence today.

Can you give me a shout-out?

I'm taking a break from my dreams today to focus on the difficult, the uncomfortable, and the scary.

Today's focus is partly in response to some posters who really have some front and center "stuff" that is...well...difficult, uncomfortable, and scary. (I thank you for your honesty, those who are letting me know that life is interfering with your dreams.)

The focus is also because I have a whole day's worth of difficult, uncomfortable, and scary stuff to deal with.

Several people have mentioned the economy in one way or another, as being a barrier to moving forward. Being self-employed in a private practice and in a private school, I really do feel the pain right with you.

The truth is, though, with my business numbers cut in half, I've had the time to start this blog and to learn to do trip reports, and I really enjoy this.

I've had some extra time to plan for the students I DO have, including the curriculum for my college course. A little upgrading in the quality never hurts, does it?

I've had some time to think about what I'd want to do if I cut my losses and walk away. What if I really can't justify my office space with these numbers? What if the incoming flow continues to be so much less that previous years? Can I do something to improve that?

I've had some time to think about how much I really DO want to be a writer with a shelf of ragged paperback best sellers sitting in a library. That is my one true dream that has been with me since childhood. Could this be the time to pursue writing?

But, as many of you point out, your dreams only take you so far if you don't have the basics of life worked out.

And, working out the basics takes confidence. For me, it seems like I have plenty of courage...those bursts of energy and drive that shoot out like a sharpshooter's bullet and hit that target.

So why am I floundering? Most goals aren't completed in one shot! The whole target imagery doesn't work!

After courage you need confidence, and that is not my strength.

Let me transition from sharpshooting to running, so as not to mix metaphors. OK, I've transitioned..........................NOW!

Courage is for sprinters, while confidence, I think, is for distance. Some problems, jobs, or projects are distance runs, plain and simple. Getting through a tough economy where jobs and homes are no longer a given is a marathon. You have to keep moving, even though you can't see the finish line for the twists and turns.

Courage, I think, is that adrenaline shot that starts you out, but confidence is that calm, steady voice that says "Slow, steady, pace yourself, one step at a time, get to the finish line."

Having more courage that confidence, I think, is why I might have a whole life full of unfinished projects. It might be why some of the difficult and tedious things get pushed aside because they are, well, difficult and tedious.

I look at this blog as an example. I had plenty of courage to start this, but when I wondered if I was getting anywhere, I had to really dig deep for the confidence to keep going. I'm glad I did that because if most bloggers are honest, they are blogging for their own reasons and, for me, this is a great journey. The fact that others hitch a ride from time to time just makes it richer.

So, today is a day for confidence.

Today is a day for making those calls that take some confidence. Today is a day for making those decisions that take confidence.

Today is a day for deciding to keep moving for 8 hours of focused activity even if it seems as if the finish line is miles away. Even if the fact IS that the finish line is miles away.

Can you give me a shout-out when I run by you?