Can you recall a time as a child when you suddenly became responsible for something valuable or fragile? A family member asked you to set a dish full of food on the dinner table, or a teacher needed you to transport your science project down the hall. The words you likely heard during times like these were, "Carry it with both hands." As a child, these words had a heavy meaning to them. You were in charge of something important, fragile, or valuable.
Picture yourself as a small child. When allowed to show your responsibility and care, at that moment, time slows down. You pay close attention to what's going on around you. Your hands cling tightly to the object you're holding, but not so tight that it breaks, just enough that you don't drop it. You focus attention between the object and the path in front of you, planning for obstacles that might be in the way. You walk at a slower and steadier pace than you usually would, ensuring a safe arrival for the object you have in your hands. Slow and steady. One mistake could create a disaster. Your task is the only thing that matters, and everything else is a mere distraction.
Why do we stop hearing this phrase as an adult?
Children usually need a constant reminder of what to do and what not to do. The world is exemplary at telling adults what NOT to do. Don't drop the ball. It's not that we aren't worthy of the gentle reminders children receive but expected the ability to remind ourselves. If something matters, carry it with both hands. It's thought-provoking yet straightforward advice. Carry it with both hands when it comes to your reputation, relationships, children, business, education, career, health, or anything of value and importance.
Remind yourself of how fragile some things in life truly are.
Remind yourself of the required attention for certain things to succeed.
We often look at responsibility unenthusiastically or as a burden. Accountability can get boring after a while, and new challenges can seem impossible or demanding.
We lose our enthusiasm somewhere.
It's challenging to remind ourselves of the significance and delicacy of certain things, so we go about life in a somewhat reckless manner, winging stuff we shouldn't. In-depth prioritizing can help by weeding out many things that unnecessarily take up our attention.
..But we can regain our focus and commitment. Carry the things that matter most in life with both hands, and you will create more balance. Give all of your attention and effort to the things that hold the most weight in your journey. Distribute the weight and pressure of your concerns evenly and focus on one feat at a time. Find the spark you may once have had as a child when a new challenge comes along. Bring yourself back to that child you once knew when everything was an adventure.
**Sometimes, we use both hands to lift something heavy, or if we feel like we could quickly lose control of our vehicle, we put both hands on the steering wheel. The brain triggers an automatic response when we touch our hands and observe somebody else’s hands being touched, activating different brain areas. Using both hands allows us to utilize both hemispheres of our brain, giving us a much broader point of view.
Imagine writing this letter or swinging for the fences with only one hand.