“Do not ruin today with mourning tomorrow.”
— Catherynne M. Valente
Ever feel a little overwhelmed? Or really overwhelmed?
This quick story is for YOU…
Once upon a time there was a man who had been lost in the desert for three whole days without water. Just as he was about to collapse, he saw what appeared to be a lake a few hundred yards in front of him. “Could it be? Or is it just a mirage?” he thought to himself.
With the last bit of strength he could muster, he staggered toward the lake and quickly learned that his prayers had been answered: it was no mirage — it was indeed a large spring-fed lake full of more fresh water than he could ever drink in his lifetime. Yet while he was practically dying of thirst, he couldn’t bring himself to drink the water. He simply stood by the water’s edge and stared down at it.
There was a passerby riding on a camel from a nearby desert town who was watching the man’s bizarre behavior. She got off her camel, walked up to the thirsty man and asked, “Why don’t you have a drink, sir?”
He looked up at the woman with an exhausted, distraught expression on his face and tears welling up in his eyes. “I think I’m dying of thirst,” he said, “But there is way too much water here in this lake to drink. No matter what I do, I can’t possibly finish it all.”
The passerby smiled softly, bent down, scooped some water up with her hands, lifted it to the man’s mouth and said, “Sir, your opportunity right now, and as you move forward throughout the rest of your life, is to understand that you don’t have to drink the whole lake to quench your thirst. You can simply take one sip — just one small sip… and then another if you choose. Focus only on the mouthful in front of you, and most of your anxiety, fear, and overwhelm about the rest will gradually fade.”
Now it’s your turn…
Challenge yourself today to focus solely on the sip (task, step, etc.) you’re actually taking.
Honestly, that’s all life is — small, positive actions that you take moment by moment, and then one day when you look back it all adds up to something worthwhile — something that’s often far better, and different, than what you had imagined when you started.
So please leave a comment below and let us know:
What’s the one small, positive action you are going to focus on today?
Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive the links to new articles like this in your inbox each week. And there’s now an option to read all future articles ad-free directly in your inbox without clicking through.
Teri says
I am a master at getting overwhelmed, which leads to debilitating procrastination.
So I keep this quote prominently displayed to remind myself to break it down:
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step” ~Lao-Tzu
When my kids were growing up, whenever they got overwhelmed, I would ask, “how do you eat an elephant”. The answer, of course, is “one bite at a time”. My daughter texted me on her first day of college to tell me her professor, speaking on getting overwhelmed, posed that question to the class, and she knew the answer. ?
J says
Inspiring story and perspective. I try to live by doing the next right thing, and if something happens to throw that into turmoil, then there’s always the next right thing for that situation too.
Stacie says
Thank you for the gentle reminder to keep it in the moment. I too can get overwhelmed and when I do I know I have the power to slow down and change my thoughts but sometimes I forget that. This morning was one of those times so again thank you.
Kevin Dance says
Thank you! Just what i needed. So much is happening at once and yes it gets overwhelming. But i will try to take it one step at a time..
Helena says
Thank you – so needed today! Feeling totally overwhelmed by work, love life and life in general and just didnt know where to start.. This has helped me to refocus, slow down and just do one bit at a time. Thank you!
Monica Sanchez says
Thank you, again. Your emails are powerful and always show up just in time! Such helpful words that help me find the strength within myself to keep moving forward, even on days like today when I would prefer to curl up into a tight little ball in my comfort zone. So today the little thing I’m gonna do is simply get outside of my comfort zone for an hour and test a marketing idea I’ve been thinking about for far too long.
Also, I just bought your book and I’m looking forward to taking your wisdom offline for some quiet reading.
Yvonne says
Great post as always with a very powerful and relevant story. Love it. I’m going to print out this story and put it in front of me as a daily reminder that I don’t need to get overwhelmed. One small step forward or sip at a time is much better than no step or sip today, so thanks for the inspiration!
Ben Pruett says
This little post is wonderful!! I need constant reminders like this to not get bogged down and overwhelmed with the seriousness of life, and with the infinite options in front of me. It’s about keeping things in perspective and taking small, mindful steps. We must get things done, but also learn to let go, and to not worry about everything every second.
Marc and Angel, for the perspective you give through your blog, books, emails, etc, I am forever grateful. Thank you.
Today, I am taking positive action for 15 minutes on a passion project I’ve been putting off because I felt like I needed to dedicate an hour or more (do it all at once). Now I’m just gonna make a little time here and there, and enjoy it.
Dolores says
Wow! That little story about the man and the lake really helped me figure out how to clear overwhelming thoughts in my head today. Thank you Marc and Angel for the wisdom I got from this article. I’ll be a frequent passerby in your virtual space.
Judy Ryder says
When I was in my thirties someone told me to make life simpler choose one small task and complete it, then choose another. In two months I will be three quarters of a century on this earth. Yes 75 years young. When I take the time to look back my life has been amazing. I am still doing one small task at a time. My life is full and vibrant and forward looking. Take the advise of this little story. It will lead to amazing things in your life.
Judy
M Kramer says
Just what I need to hear (yesterday! LOL), but I’m in a better place to day to be open to this message. 🙂
Seriously, I have been struggling with this lately.
Thank you so much!
Jeanne Barrett says
This was a great story, it was short and to the point. Thank goodness for you both
David says
Well fancy that. That’s exactly what I’m getting for my situation here today. One step at a time. The person in the story could see the water, as for me, I have to go by faith because I can’t see the step before me, although I know I’m supposed to take it step-by-step. I’m praying that the Lord will put something concrete under my next step because, as in the story, I’ve been wandering around for a few days now.
Your posts are always so encouraging. Thank you so much. Truly appreciate it. Hugs.
Gale says
I really needed this today. I’ve been so overwhelmed by the mountain of paperwork I need to do for the two nonprofits I am committed to. They mean the world to me, but sometimes I take on too much and lose my focus. This is a good reminder to just start at the beginning, and take it one step at a time.
Thank you,
Gale
Margarita says
Thank you so much I needed to read this for today. You both are the best and always makes my day .
Helma Gerritsen says
Thanks to the 2 angels from far away that stopped with their camels to let me drink sip by sip.
At 80 I am moving from a big house to a bachelor flat retirement
place. All went well, half way I was stuck and could not move further. Today you let drink me sip by sip. The good Lord answered my prayers and sent 2 wunderful angels. So thankful.
Amanda Ninow says
So hard to down size at your age Helma. A life time of memories will always be in your mind. One small step or sip at your own pace at a time. I wish you lots of love and happiness in your new abode.
Bestregards
Amanda
Avoid Kayiboni says
Marc and Angel, sometimes I find it hard to believe that you are just humans on earth. I believe you are angels sent by God to speak into my life. Most of your articles speak directly to my situation, and right now, I feel completely overwhelmed.