How to Eat an Elephant.

This is a continuation of yesterday's post about staying focused.  The best advice I ever received is on How to Eat an Elephant.  The answer is one bite at a time.  Many times the tasks before me are overwhelming.  So I break of "bites" of them and chew slowly.  I tell myself I can do anything for 15 minutes.  I can clean clutter out of a closet, I can clear out a drawer, I can make phone calls, whatever for 15 minutes. At the end of that time I can choose to quit or continue.  Many times I have continued for another 15 minutes, other times I have quit quilt free.   It might take me many swipes at a project to finish it this way. Kind of like peeling an onion one layer at a time.  But eventually, the project will get done or at least get down to a manageable level.  This works on emotions as well.  I tell myself, I only have to get through today.  I can do anything for just one day.  This worked particularly well the year I lost my husband.  I couldn't breathe when I thought of him being gone.  So I would tell myself it was just for the day...tomorrow would be back to normal.  Of course life was never again normal for me, but I got through it one day at a time.  This practice even has Biblical roots.  "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."  It helps to look back over my life and ponder the many mountains that seemed impossible to climb and yet, I climbed them.  There were so many hurdles and obstacles that seemed uncrossable, yet, with God's help, I made it through them. Nothing is impossible with God. So why should I doubt that He will carry me through the current trials as well?  My best friend & I have a saying: "This too shall pass, just in time for the next problem to arrive." 
So breathe, relax, and chew slowly, one bite at a time.