Cinderella rubbed floors!

Cinderalla rubbed floors, she cooked food and she did the laundary. When she could, she dreamed.

She dreamed of attending the Royal Ball. Not because she had an lofty notions about herself but because it would take her away from drudgery for an evening. She wanted a break!!

And she wanted happiness.

Some tasks appear small but when one does them, they show how truly massive the effort is in doing them. There are other tasks that appear mammoth... but in effect, when we get down to really doing them, they appear sooooo easy!

When we were young children, 7 or 8 years old, our parents used to take us for regular morning walks. We used to walk 5-7 km each day in our summer vacations. It used to be one BIG GIGANTIC walk for us. Sometimes, we would just want to give up. Then, Dad would say, very matter if factly, "Just count ten steps".

We would walk ten, counting each step. With utmost concentration. We would stop. And breathe deeply. Our sweat soaking our eyes and stinging them. Each breath tearing through our system as if there is no passage for it to exit except by tearing through!

My father would calmly say, "Count ten more. Then ten more. You will soon reach the destination."

A very simple process! It breaks up a difficult and daunting task into several small ones. It sets up small targets- easy to achieve. The small jobs done also mean the positive re-enforcement comes quickly in small but tangible bursts of energy. Each burst of energy provides a better and firmer push towards the final goal.

Attend the Royal Ball.

Walk the ten steps.

Dance with the Prince.

Walk ten more steps.

Reach home before twelve!

Reach home!!

That is what Dory also says in Finding Nemo... Keep on swimming... Just keep on swimming...

So... who is going for the party tonight??