Despite the popular saying, close counts in more areas of life than horseshoes and hand grenades.

We often bring ourselves down by thinking our daily efforts are not good enough.  But, we actually get done more done in a day than we think we do.  Although society (influenced by the Puritan work ethic), says we should be multitasking and cramming in as much quality time as we can into every waking moment, that is impossible (or at least, highly improbable).  For some of us, being able to get to out of bed all by ourselves is a major accomplishment.  Try not to compare yourself with SuperPeople who seem to be able to juggle one million tasks a day effortlessly.  Most likely, your effort is good enough.  And in some cases, just trying still counts for something.

Quitting Smoking

My Mom quit smoking cold turkey over 40 years ago and has never taken a puff since.  She is about the only person I have ever met or read about who has been able to do this.  My Dad, for instance (who is divorced from my Mom) smoked as a kid in the 1950’s, stopped until 1986 and started again with various periods of trying to quit and then going back again.  While my Mom’s ability to kick the habit once and for all is the ideal, Dad’s efforts are good enough to help his overall goal of quitting.

Each attempt at quitting smoking not only gives your body a break, but helps you learn better where your triggers are that makes you absolutely mental for a smoke.  Perhaps you didn’t realize a diner you like has a lively smoking section that makes you crave a smoke.  Avoid the diner — and that’s one less trigger.  Some people need to keep their hands busy and minds distracted.  Each attempt to quit smoking can help you in learning how to quit once and for all.

Meditation

You can’t learn meditation overnight.  It takes a long, long time to get proficient.  Meditation is considered one of the best ways you can manage your stress and your body’s responses to stress.  But meditating when you want to is incredibly difficult.  Your mind just doesn’t want to keep still.  You often get confused.  This is good, says Tibetan Buddhist teacher and author, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. 

In the highly acclaimed The Joy of Living, he teaches that just ATTEMPTING to meditate will get the mind used to going into a meditative state.  You can still get the health benefits of meditating — even you are close, but not actually meditating.  In other words, your effort at trying to meditate is good enough.

Now go have a cookie or a banana.  You’ve earned it, after all.

Hope this helps.

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