Have you ever felt like your life is a movie script for Mission Impossible? Do you ever feel like somewhere along the line, you got one of those little black boxes that presented you with a message of high importance— a mission meant just for you—should you choose to accept it? And of course, there are the ominous consequences should you fail.
You’re told the mission is so critical that only the very best will be sent in—you. And just before the message ends, you’re promised that if you fail, all knowledge of your actions will be disavowed! Then, in classic cinematic style, the message self-destructs in a puff of smoke. You’re on your own now. The fate of the world—or at least your little corner of it—rests in your hands.
The Everyday Impossible
Sometimes, especially as mothers, our lives feel exactly like this. We wake up each morning facing what can seem impossible. We do it because we love it—sometimes. Other times, we do it out of sheer determination to just keep going. When the bombs have gone off around us, we’re the ones who rush in to change a diaper, wipe a nose, bind a scrape, or kiss a bruise. We try to keep our minds focused even when there are sirens and screams echoing around us every second. If we’re lucky, we get a few hours of rest before it all starts over again.
Then there’s the even bigger stuff—the gut punches that remind us how little control we truly have over life.
I, for one, am very grateful for the power of words and the ability to focus the mind. It’s a real gift. When we can’t find the right words within ourselves, we can borrow recorded words that will carry us until we can once again find our own voice.
IV Therapy for the Soul
I’ve spent most of my life working in the medical field. That still amazes me when I think about it—40-plus years in medical transcription and records. Two-thirds of my life have been spent in an environment that revolves around healing, yet I’ve learned that some treatments miss the mark. We focus on treating the body for illness, but what about the mind and the soul?
People dwell on their illnesses, and for good reason—it hurts. But what if we had a different kind of therapy? A transfusion that nourishes the mind and helps destroy the thought patterns that contribute to sickness? That’s when I began developing my own form of IV Therapy: Inner Voice, Inner Vision, and Instilling Value.
I started teaching this concept, and the more I shared it, the more convinced I became that this is a source of healing we can all tap into. We can heal ourselves, and in doing so, we create a ripple effect that offers the same hope and renewal to others.
The Two-Step Perspective Tool
There are many tools we can use to shift our mindset, and while positive affirmations are powerful, sometimes we need a different approach. One such method is what I call the Two-Step Perspective Tool.
Think about a two-step dance. It’s essentially a walking step, but with rhythm.
- Start with your feet close together, toes pointing forward.
- Take two steps forward at a quicker pace (fast-fast).
- Then, take two more steps forward at a slower pace (slow-slow).
- Repeat the sequence: fast-fast, slow-slow.
If you are the leader in the dance, you are moving forward with confidence. But if you are the partner, you are stepping backward, trusting your leader to guide you.
When you’re leading, it’s easy to see where you’re going. But when you’re following, you must trust the one leading you. You take steps backward, unable to see the path ahead, yet you willingly dance. You may not have the full picture, but you trust the direction you’re being taken. Your job is to keep moving, staying in rhythm, so you don’t stumble.
Who is your partner in these uncertain times? I believe it has to be God. He has promised us His help and His guidance, so learning to trust Him is a crucial part of navigating life’s impossibilities. Perspective is about seeing where you are going with your mind’s eye, feeling the rhythm of your movement, and knowing that at the end of the dance, you not only reach your destination, but you can enjoy the journey.
Reframing Your Thoughts
Can you change your perspective, or are you destined to see things one way forever? The beauty of the human mind is its ability to shift, adapt, and grow. Just as a dancer can change direction mid-step, so can our thoughts.
Say you have a recurring negative thought or feeling that you just can’t shake. Try flipping it backward using thought mapping:
- Current Thought: “I’m so dumb for saying that.”
- Backward Mapping: What did I just say?
- You made a joke at a party that didn’t land well.
Now, reframe it:
- “That joke didn’t go as planned, but I was brave enough to contribute to the conversation.”
- “I can learn from this moment and use it to improve my communication next time.”
By mapping thoughts backward, you gain perspective. What seems like a disaster in the moment can become a minor misstep in the larger dance of life.
The Mission You Can Accept
Life isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about continuing the dance even when you don’t know all the steps. Some days, you’ll be the leader, moving forward with confidence. Other days, you’ll be the partner, stepping backward in trust. But either way, you keep moving.
So, the next time life hands you a mission that feels impossible, remember: you are not alone. Shift your perspective, trust the process, and keep dancing. Because this mission?
It’s possible.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
