“There comes a point in life when you realize that turning the page is the best thing in the world because there’s so much more to the book than the page you were stuck on.” Author Unknown
Happy Monday!
And Happy June! What a whirlwind this year has already become. We’ve barely blinked, and we’re six months in. As the school year comes to a close, I hope you’re getting some rest between all the festivities and summer planning.
Speaking of in-between, have you ever felt stuck between a rock and a hard place? It can be so frustrating to feel like we’re cruising along in life, and then, bam, something happens, and we just can’t seem to move. No matter what we try, up, down, or sideways, we’re stuck. Feeling stuck can be particularly true when we have a decision to make. I don’t know about you, but sometimes my inner dialogue sounds like this:
“On the one hand, I can make this decision. It feels right, but I want to be sure. On the other hand, this option could work out well and ultimately prove better than the original idea. Then, on the other hand….”
Suddenly, I have multiple hands with an overabundance of acceptable options.
Other times, however, we’re stuck because change can be difficult and even scary. What if we don’t like the change after we’ve made it? What if we move too fast and miss something better? What if we have to give up something comfortable or familiar to get to the next position, season, or level of mental or emotional health? These can be the most challenging, and we can remain stuck in unhealthy patterns even though we have a desire to move on.
The truth is, sometimes, we have to make bold decisions and summon up all our courage to get ourselves to a healthier place. Perhaps we’re facing a lifestyle change and need to downsize or relocate to a different area. Maybe we need assistance with daily activities and should rely on a friend or family member while we recover. It’s possible that we simply need a break from life’s pressures and time apart from the grind, which could involve a period of rest followed by a new job or social group.
I found the following quote that nicely sums up what I’m thinking:
If we sense the page we’re on is limiting us in some way, it’s time to make some choices about how we want to spend our time. We need to turn to another page in the book and get some fresh ideas. That can take many different forms.
We can take inventory and start adjusting how we manage our time. If we wake up a little earlier, we can fit in some exercise. By taking a reasonable lunch break, we can finish the day strong. If we pause during a crisis, center ourselves through breathwork or meditation, and then reassess our options, we can often create effective alternatives and find new solutions. It takes turning the page to discover there’s more.
I have a few favorite verses from Scripture, each with different outcomes, that I reflect on when I’m feeling stuck. The first helps me when I have a vague idea of what the next steps may look like. The second serves as a general guideline to stay on track. Let me share them with you:
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV)
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting—for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 (TLV)
Ultimately, we don’t have to stay in that stuck place. We have options, but we need to find clarity in our thought processing. That might mean taking a deep dive into the elements or thoughts that are causing the inability to move. It could mean sharing with someone we trust.
It may be necessary to seek professional help to untangle the knots we have created for ourselves through conditioning, fear, or unhealthy thought patterns that might have even served us well at some point in the past. There’s nothing wrong with asking for guidance from someone trained in helping people get unstuck! No matter where we start, turning the page will reveal much more of the book and help us move beyond that stuck place.
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
