Friday, February 8, 2008

One Step at a Time

I will persist until I succeed.
Always will I take another step.
If that is of no avail I will take another,
and yet another.
In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult...
I know that small attempts, repeated,
will complete any undertaking. ~ Og Mandino

I had a quilting class last night, the second in a 15-week series. We learned to make a log cabin block, which is pictured above. You can see that it's made up of lots of tiny pieces of fabric, all joined together. It starts with the center square, then you add fabric to the right, then the bottom, then the left, then the top, continuing on around until the block is completed.

As I was driving home last night, I began to realize how much this quilting process is like the journey we take to get healthier.

That center square is me, and as I begin to move toward a healthier lifestyle, I add on another piece to my life. Perhaps the first piece is drinking enough water every day; the next might be adding more fruits and veggies into my day; the next could be cutting out all fast-food.

Soon, the overall quilt pattern begins to emerge and the excitement builds. There will come a day when my clothes will feel looser and my energy will increase. This will help me keep going as I begin to see the new healthy me emerge. Eventually, I'll add the outer pieces, which will be smaller clothes and no more medications for blood pressure and cholesterol.

Whether quilting or getting healthy, it's a step-by-step process that requires an investment of time, patience and a vision for what will be. I'm creating the quilt of my healthy life and I will succeed -- as long as I don't give up.


Until next time...

7 comments:

Grumpy Chair said...

Great post Pattie. I just love how you see yourself as the center square with all the other patches of fabric changes in your life.

You will succeed.

Diana Swallow said...

Oh Pattie, what a beautiful post! You are going to make one gorgeous quilt!!

Hanlie said...

I love that analogy! Really, it is stunning! And I love the picture... maybe I should take up quilting!

Lora said...

What a great analogy! I can't wait to see your quilt when it's all finished - and you as well!

Anonymous said...

Pattie - your quilt square is beautiful! I can only imagine the whole quilt. Look how diligent and careful you are to piece each one perfectly - you take the time to thoughtfully select your fabrics and then to take a 15-week class so it can be done…to perfection, which you take pride in. You have inspired me with this post. I have wanted to start a new diet regime and I am starting now using your theories of how to proceed with a method. I already have the book I want to follow, I took the classes and now, like you, I will execute it perfectly by following the instructions and I am looking forward to the whole 'me' after a bit. LawRaw

Chanda (aka Bea) said...

Wow! What a wonderful analogy, and beautifully written. I can already tell that's one that will stick in my head. Good luck with both quilts!

jovaliquilts said...

Nice log cabin block! Those are really fun -- so many looks are possible!