Taking it in Stride

In this week’s blog, I will be talking about the way we walk. But, in order to do so, we must look at where the way we walk comes from.


There used to be a television cartoon that featured a character called “Droopy”. Droopy had a real whiney voice. And, in every carton he was the poster child of doom and gloom.


 “Ohhhh dear. Ohhh meeeee. It’ll never work.“ These were words often used by Droopy in the cartoon. And, as the plot of the story unfolded, Droopy’s prophesy would come true.
Droopy had another interesting characteristic – other than his voice and attitude. The animators drew Droopy a little slumped over and he would schlep along at a slow rate of speed.
Even if you do not remember the cartoon, by now, you already have an image of Droopy.


And, sadly, your mind’s data base has searched your network of friends, coworkers and family and came up with a list of people who would fit into the real life version of Droopy.
Self talk is such a huge part in a person’s success.
A person once made this statement, “If your friends talked to you the way you talk to you, they would not be your friends.” 


Boy, is that ever true.


Many of us beat ourselves up with negative thoughts or comments.


And, believe it or not – the weight of those comments shows itself in the way you walk, talk and the way you carry yourself.
How could you possibly be self confident when all too often YOU don’t even like or support you?


Now, let’s add to that weight…… Factor in issues, problems, stress and (lest we forget) drama – and we have a full blown version of the Flintstone cartoon character Schleprock. He walked hunched over dragging his feel…..just moseying along.
Having good posture is important. But the spring in your step shows that you are a person who has purpose and meaning in your life. You are not just trying to eek out a life until your ship comes in. Funny part is ships do not come to where these people are plodding along in life.


If you do not get what I am talking about – journey on down to your local Wal-Mart. Take time to observe the people. No doubt, only a brief period of time will elapse before you hear the dragging of feet and the clopping of shoes. You turn and there is DROOPY!


Droopy and Schleprock are plopping along through the store with no sense of urgency in their life. Time is just dragging for these people. Why? Because when they arrive at their next destination (be it home or another store) life will be more of the same.


A person who knows where they are going in life, who knows what they want, and who is striving to reach that goal has a sense of urgency about them. They are seeking to accomplish something. They are looking forward to the next phase of their life journey.


So, how can we maintain spring in our step and avoid being a Droopy?


· Be positive – focus on what you are going to not what you are going through
· Smile– if you are in a good mood, notify your face
· Set a goal and work toward it
· Talk to YOU in positive upbeat terms. Speak to yourself as though you have already achieved your goal.
· Walk upright
· Pick up your feet – save the electric slide walk for wedding receptions
· Stay around people who are upbeat and positive – remember no one ever erected a statue to a critic
· Avoid the drama
· Quit worrying. Mark Twain once said that he had a lot of worries in his life – and a few of them actually happened.


Go ahead – change your walk – change your attitude – show your self confidence.
Ron