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PDFHave you ever heard about the theory about frogs and boiling water? According to the theory, if you toss a frog into a pot of boiling water, it will leap out immediately. However, if you put it in a pot of cool water and slowly bring the water to a boil, the frog won’t notice the temperature change – and eventually boil to death. Now I’ve never tried this, but according to Snopes – it isn’t true. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t some value in the story.
Take your health, for example. If you suddenly woke up tomorrow morning and couldn’t walk across the room without losing your breath – you would be worried and call the doctor. You would get medicine, physical therapy, whatever it takes to get you up and going again. However, what if every day – over the course of a few years – you slowly got in worse shape? Maybe walking to the mailbox becomes tough. Then just walking down the hall to a co-workers office gets to be a workout. You might go for quite some time before you realized it was a problem.
That’s the problem with life – it often hits us with things gradually. You slowly gain weight, you slowly get less active, you slowly start reading less – and so on. 
(The one exception to this is how life seems to fly by as you get older – but that is another post for another day!)
Even when things are going well, they go slow. You start a new fitness routine and can’t understand why you aren’t in beach body shape by the end of the week. Again, it is a gradual change.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot we can do about the slow progress thing. Life is going to continue to roll on at a slow pace- that’s just how it works. The trick is to get your brain to accept that fact and stop worrying about the results. If you are driving across the country, you don’t focus on the city you are driving to, do you? No- you focus on the road that you are driving on at the moment. Sure, you are watching the road ahead – but only as far as you can see. There is no sense worrying about what exit you take to get downtown when you are still 300 miles away from the city.
So focus on the road you are traveling. Enjoy the scenery. Stop for the occasional drink and potty break. After all, the journey is more important than the destination.
About Larry Lourcey
Plano portrait artist, Larry Lourcey, holds the designation of Master Photographer awarded by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) in 2007. Several of Larry’s images have been selected for the prestigious PPA Loan Collection, including an image displayed at Imaging Asia in 2005. While Lourcey is most recognized for his black and white photography, the breadth of his work includes vibrant photo paintings, Polaroid transfers, and photographic collages. He derives his inspiration from master painters like John Singer Sargent and Edgar Degas, while embracing the bold styles of more modern greats; such as Pino Daeni. In his free time, Larry enjoys trying to find free time. Follow him on Twitter as @larryphoto
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About Larry Lourcey
Same thing you’re talking about, I think. A good lesson that applies to all facets of life. Hey, we can all use the occasional reminder! We’re onto his wily ways, Mitch.
Know it all too well.
Sounds like my office – if I would just spend the last five minutes of every day putting things away…
Yeah- why is it so tough to do that?
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..How To Find Artistic Inspiration
I don’t regret a single time I stopped and smelled the roses!
As Ben Hogan once said, “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..How To Find Artistic Inspiration
I love this attitude! If you are not paying attention, life goes by and you end up way off track. Thanks for the reminder.
Great post Larry! It is always good to be reminded that the things that are of benefit in life require effort and perseverance. “Kalepa Ta Kala” my brother.
Great to hear from you Jason. Hope all is well! Thanks for stopping by.
Larry:
Great post. I’ve heard that the thing about life is that it’s so danged daily! Same thing you’re talking about, I think. I happen to believe that there is nothing wrong with moving slowly toward our goals. Our culture moves too fast IMO. A good book on that: The Overload Syndrome…Learning to Live Within Your Limits by Dr. Richard Swenson.
Hey there Larry, haven’t had much opportunity to talk with my hero from the application phase.
This is a mutinous post. Reading between the lines, it appears you are indeed wielding a cudgel with which to squish your erstwhile teammates.
And they don’t even know.
So, leaving aside, boiled frogs, this is a great post about living in the moment.
Cheers,
Mitch
Thanks for the comment Mitch! By the way, I updated my headshot from the application phase. Can you spot the difference?
Larry Lourcey recently posted..Do You Think Like A Frog?
Ok – maybe you can’t see it from the thumbnail. Click on my “Its Monday” post below and you can see what I’m talking about.
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..Its Monday, So I Must Need Help
HA-ha! That’s what’s up! Very clever. Too bad you can’t unilaterally sell that on Zazzle.com.
Cheers,
Mitch
Yeah, he’s trying to get us to stop and smell the roses while he trudges on ahead of us. We’re onto his wily ways, Mitch. But it’s all good. Kumbayah and all… that means “Booyah!” right?
I think an alternative way to look at the slow changes is to embrace the fact that they are slow and slow is fine. When you accept this fact, it helps you realize that when you make choices to change your situation in life (whatever situation you choose to change) – it is normal and OKAY for the the changes to occur as small results in the desired direction you are seeking. You don’t have to get in shape after 1 workout or lose 5 pounds after a few days of dieting or find that great job after going on 1 interview in order to succeed. Acknowledge the small changes which are victories in themselves because you made a choice and took a step. It took time for you to reach the current state your are in and it will take time to change that state. Set a goal, change your behaviors, and accept and appreciate the changes as they occur as they occur – no need to rush.
As usual- great points Poppy!
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..Death of the Point & Shoot
A good lesson that applies to all facets of life.
Thanks for stopping by Rich. Good to hear from you!
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..Its Monday, So I Must Need Help
Because my mind is warped and the synapses are erratic, the frog-in-boiling-water theory made me think of the spray-apes-with-cold-water method. Familiar with it?
http://www.thiswayupezine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=372&catid=916:funny&Itemid=138
Nope, but I absolutely cannot wait to hear it!
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..Its Monday, So I Must Need Help
Good to keep eye on the prize but yes we can only manage the journey one step or breathe at a time. Useful reminder..and how is your couch potatoe running challenge going?
ntathu allen recently posted..Do You Think Like A Frog?
Just did my first 28 minute run yesterday- and made 2.75 miles… so about 4.4K instead of 5K! Getting closer…
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..Its Monday, So I Must Need Help
This is so true in my case but i always fall into the same trap. This can occur in our business as well as personal life.
If anything cheers for the reminder.
Hey, we can all use the occasional reminder!
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Larry Lourcey recently posted..Are You Buff Enough?