Putting Your Best Foot Forward

In case you’re wondering, my left foot is my best foot.

That wasn’t always the case. Both of my feet were at their best until about three years ago when I started to experience chronic pain in my right foot. Much to my surprise, a foot doctor advised that I needed surgery.

So, I did what a lot of people do and procrastinated. A lot. I thought the problem would improve on its own (it didn’t) or that it wouldn’t get any worse (it did). Finally, several months ago, I couldn’t ignore the issue any longer and booked the surgery. The problem was I had waited so long that the surgery will be more extensive than if I’d addressed the issue long ago.

That experience makes me think of the idiom “putting your best foot forward”, referring to showing yourself in the best or most positive way possible. In a nutshell, making a favorable impression. 

How often do we intend to put our best foot forward but then something within us interferes? Things like a wrong attitude, a critical spirit, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, impatience, unkindness… to name a few. We know what needs to be corrected but we procrastinate doing anything about it. We think it will improve on it’s own (it doesn’t) or that it won’t get any worse (it does). Then, one day, we recognize the unmistakable truth that our efforts to show ourselves in the best or most positive way have been a pretense. We’ve been attempting to make something appear true that isn’t the case.

The good news is that it’s never too late to do surgery on our character. But the longer we take to address the problem, the more extensive the ‘surgery’ to turn things around. Sometimes, we wait so long to address the problem that our character flaw becomes obvious to even the most casual observer.

This is the time of year when many of us make New Year’s resolutions… such as quit smoking, exercise more, lose weight, spend less, save more. All worthwhile pursuits. But, perhaps this year, we should consider making a resolution to improve our character. Stop criticizing, be kinder, be more giving, be less selfish, be more genuine, be less superficial.

How?

Find an accountability partner who will give you honest and wise feedback (“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” – Proverbs 27:17 NLT) . Volunteer your time helping others less fortunate (it will give you perspective). Take practical steps to ensure you’re living a balanced life (balance in life is critical). When you observe a desired character strength in action in another person’s life, ask for the key(s) to their success (their answer may surprise you).

Whatever your weakness, work on making it your strength. Just make sure you’re focusing on the right things (another reason to have an accountability partner).

When you’re able to stand on your own two feet, you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward. Here’s to 20/20 vision in 2020!

It’s A Sign

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

One thing we all have in common is that we make decisions daily. Of course, some decisions are far more significant than others. The decision of what we’ll have for dinner is relatively minor compared to a major life decision. Although, there are days the dinner decision trumps all other decisions in order of importance (at least in our house).

When we’re considering a reasonably major decision, it’s not uncommon to look for a sign. Something… anything… that will help us know what the right decision is.

The main problem with this is that all signs are not created equal. Some signs are so clearly misleading, we know not to give them any real consideration. But then, what’s obvious to one person is not always obvious to the next. So, misleading signs can be a stumbling block to some.

Other signs seem promising but, since they can be interpreted more than one way, we often take a lot of time and effort deciding if they’re worth paying attention to.

Other signs are downright confusing. Ironically, we tend to spend more calories on this type of sign on the off chance that clarity can be found through sufficient reflection (and no, it usually can’t).

The sign we really want is the one that gives us the answer outright but that type of sign tends to be elusive. But, consider this… how many times do we get an obvious sign yet choose to ignore it because it doesn’t support our desired outcome?

A good rule of thumb is this…

When you have a big decision to make, pay attention to the signs but do your due diligence because you won’t have clarity otherwise.

Seek good information. Get wise counsel to help interpret what you think you’re seeing (with the emphasis on ‘wise’). Weigh all the pros and cons (making a physical list can be very helpful). Take your history and past decisions into consideration. Stay away from any decision that compromises your values. Take time to really think things through. Don’t let your emotions override reason. Pray (a lot). Don’t act in haste (unless time truly is of the essence). But, on the flip side, don’t take too long to make a decision.

Keep in mind that sometimes the best decision isn’t the most obvious and that the right decision might be the hardest. Decisions can also be tough when it’s a choice between what you want and what you know is right.

If a seemingly good decision turns out to be bad, don’t beat yourself up. No one is perfect and mistakes will happen. But, if we learn from our mistakes and resolve not to repeat them, we’re on the path to making something positive out of something negative.

Well, as this has been a relatively serious post, it’s best to leave you with something humorous.

There’s a sign for that…

It’s Just An Act

I love idioms.

An idiom is a phrase that isn’t meant to be taken literally. For instance, if someone tells you to “break a leg”, they’re wishing you good luck rather than hoping you spend the next six weeks on crutches.

Idioms. Every language has them and some are pretty funny. Like the Portuguese idiom “he who doesn’t have a dog, hunts with cats” (meaning you make the most of what you’ve been given). Or, the Spanish idiom, “a lot of noise and no walnuts” (meaning someone is all talk and no action).

In the English language, a relatively common (albeit unfunny) idiom is “get your act together”. Essentially, it means “get your life in order”.

If we’re honest, it can be easy to appear that we have our life in order when in fact it feels like anything but.

I say this from experience. Oh, I have moments where I feel like I have my act together. Sometimes, even stretches of time. I can even be lulled into thinking that keeping my act together is not that difficult. But, then challenges inevitably arise and my act starts looking as shaky as a house of cards.

What about you?

Maybe one of your kids is going through a crisis or your marriage has hit a rough patch. You may be one paycheck away from losing everything or struggling with a hidden addiction. Maybe you have a hair trigger temper or perhaps anxiety is running the show and keeping you from living your best life.

We all know that everyone on Facebook has a perfect life but the reality is that life is not all sunshine and rainbows.

Life is about getting our life together and then keeping our life together… albeit imperfectly. Life is messy. Our act is going to be messy sometimes. It’s freeing and authentic to acknowledge it. But, this too shall pass.

No matter what your act looks like right now, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s your act. Don’t let it get the best of you.

Make sure you’re keeping the main thing, the main thing. Get enough sleep. Don’t skip meals. Keep your sense of humour. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be kind. Pet a dog… or, if you don’t have a dog, hunt with a cat. Organize a closet or drawer. Donate some gently used items.

Forgive someone. Thank someone. Laugh more. Cry less. Pray.

The bottom line?

Your act is what you make it. The ball is in your court.

Don’t be a lot of noise and no walnuts.