Baby Steps are still steps in the right direction!

[Supermom]

Do baby steps get you anywhere or make a difference?  Consider that each day is a baby step toward a year.  A leaky faucet dripping only 1 drop per minute, for a year, wastes about 34 gallons of water.  

Consider the key words "Increase the percentage of.."  to take baby steps, such as:

"Increase the percentage of.."  whole raw foods. Start each meal with an extra fruit or salad. Constantly cut  fruits and veggies up and serve on a plate. You can jazz it up with a dip, such as raw nut butter or raw zucchini hummus.

"Increase the percentage of.." sleep !  Try turning the T.V. off a little sooner than usual and read a few pages of a great book before bed. Even 5 minutes earlier each night for a week, then another 5 minutes earlier the next week adds up.  Get the light, temperature, and noise level (ear plugs?), the way you like it to sleep deeper.

"Increase the percentage of.." water!  Before you fill that cup, at the fast food place, with soda or tea, make a deal with yourself to fill it with  water, and drink it first.  Set out a glass of water to drink first thing in the morning.  Before you leave the house, fill a large cup with ice water to drink in the car.

"Increase the percentage of.." movement.  Move your body a little more each day. Offer to get the others on the couch a glass of water; park a little further away; take the stairs sometimes; create movement habits that are fun.

"Increase the percentage of.." time spent loving!  Notice when you think a kind thought about yourself or another person.  Focus on one person each week that is difficult to love, and pray for, bless, forgive, and in your mind and heart, flood them with unearned love. It's a win/win since you release the baggage of resentment, and they get to see the true nature of God through your grace and love.

You get the idea.  This can be fun because baby steps are not overwhelming and our subconcious minds have less reason to rebel.

[Elizabeth]

fantastic post! just what I needed! 

[Supermom]

Such wonderful reply's to this post!  I am touched by each one of you, and your unique perspective. 

[Kathy Turner]

I love what you wrote about taking baby steps.  It seems that sometimes we look at the mountain and get so overwhelmed that we don't even attempt it and promptly sit back down.  And yet if we took a step here and there and checked out the scenery along the way we would be at the top in no time. 

Today I drank my first carrot.  I love juices but it's mostly fruit juices that I find palatable.  But I went to the time and expense of buying a juicer for my health and vitality so I decided I'd better use it and I decided today would be the day and a carrot would be my first.  I took my two carrots, two grapefruits, and 1/4 of a pineapple and yummmmm.  What a beautiful and delicious juice - the perfect breakfast on the run or just anytime (today I was on the run).  I will take a step at a time to make it more about the carrots and a little less of the sugary juices, but for me it was huge and maybe that's why your blog spoke to me today.  Thanks so much - I will continue with some baby steps and see where it gets me.  Yesterday was a fully raw day and tonight I already have a raw dinner planned - something new that I can't wait to try.  But before you know it I'll have two raw days behind me, and then a third, but all just one day at a time.  And I really do love the way I've been feeling lately and even a co-worker noticed today that I've lost some poundage...just with a few baby steps.  Take care and thanks again.

[Tonya Donahue]

I have to agree with Lucy. I have watched my husband the last couple months do this but I hate change...I look at him and see how great he looks and how he says he feels. Baby steps is the key for me. I can't just jump in or be forced, and I have to make the changes for me. I think I will probably refer back to this blog a lot...thanks so much!

[Maureen Griffin]

increase the percentage of is such a non-threatening, non judgmental way to spread this message to others and yourself!

[Lucy Provost]

I love that you've posted this; it describes my approach to raw foods so well. I have never done well with any type of "cold turkey" and baby steps are exactly how I have reached the level of raw food consumption that I currently eat daily. Being gentle with myself in making changes and being willing to get back on the wagon, so to speak,no matter how many times I have strayed back into unhealthy habits has gotten me so much further than pushing myself or extreme, unrealistic expectations of  how much I am capable of changing today, in the here and now. Thank you again for reminding me of this.

[Maria Siciliano]

Well said!

[Janet Carol Ryan]

this is a wonderful contribution to a very empowering mind-set. YES, I can do that a baby step is easy, which leads to more baby steps and skips and jumps and leaps and leap-frogs!! YAY

[meherbani Kaur]

thanks Supermom,

totally! agree with baby steps...

my adult mind does like to rebel though for sure, thinking I've past that stage. and the proverbial "should" has its own ideas re percentages for sure... think it must be upbringing...

and, .... maybe.... increasing the percentage of.... "unlearning" growing up messages  is my place to start.