Day 105. The geckos made me do it.

365 Days of Living the Dale Carnegie Principles

Day 105.  Saturday, July 9, 2011
I woke up this morning and I was overwhelmed with the thought of geckos.  How will I survive this day with this one thought looming in my mind?

A Kniphofia plant (a.k.a. Red Hot Poker). Main features are its bright fiery blooms. I too was red hot trying to combat worry.

I put on some grubby clothes and decided to do yard work in 100+ degree weather.  This wasn’t delicate gardening—this was yard work.  I pruned the bushes, I weeded, I dug up a stubborn tree sapling.  I removed old wasps’ nests.  I was irritated with myself that I let these tasks go untouched for so long.  Then I contemplated if I’m lazy in these areas where else am I lazy?  This gave me a stronger resolve to continue my rampage. 

I took the battle into the garage where I cleaned and removed junk I have never touched in years. 

Then the battle for clean and organization went indoors.  I cleaned out closets.  I vacuumed.  I folded laundry.

I did this for about 7 hours today.  I’d like to say I didn’t think of geckos once during those 7 hours—but I did.  I had to deal with a couple of them in the garage.  But what is important to note is that my approach to this day worked. 

I was so irritated with myself that I’ve been too busy/distracted/lazy/not interested in being a homeowner.  I accepted this reality—because I was looking at it—overgrown bushes, weeds, laundry, clutter, etc.  But I also knew I didn’t have to accept living like this. In this process I distracted myself from my real fear that greeted me this morning “the g word”

The Dale Carnegie principles I used today are from How to Stop Worrying and Start Living:
Keep busy.

My lesson to you—keeping busy is an excellent way to keep your worries and fears in check.  In my case, I was very productive—cleaning, weeding and creating organization out of my perceived crisis.