Day Ten- Take a Step

I love, Love, LOVE the movie “What About Bob?”! Bill Murray plays Bob Wiley, a neurotic but lovable therapy patient who is afraid of everything. His psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dreyfuss) is quite helpful and Bob becomes totally attached to him. When Dr. Marvin leaves town to go on a family vacation, Bob panics. His fear of separation leads him to track down Dr. Marvin at his lakeside retreat. Bob becomes the houseguest that will not leave and hilarity ensues.

When Bob decides that he absolutely needs to get to his psychiatrist, he implements a therapeutic practice that is the theme of Dr. Marvin’s new book Baby Steps. The phrase “baby steps” becomes Bob’s mantra as he dares to brave the world that terrifies him. “Baby steps to the door.” “Baby steps to the elevator.” “Baby steps to the bus.” Bob takes the message of the book in its most literal form and is able to overcome his fear.

Perhaps it is a bit corny, but I believe that this mantra is something we can use in our daily lives. We all have moments where we feel overwhelmed. Instead of trying to deal with it all at once, try to focus on just taking a baby step. Once that is successfully completed, then take another baby step. Baby steps help grow our confidence and keep us moving forward. We will eventually reach our destination if we just keep taking one step at a time.