Have you ever felt like life is an uphill battle and someone’s greased the hill? Arthur Ashe’s philosophy might be just what you need to navigate this slip ‘n slide, but maybe with a bit more chuckling along the way. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Simple, right? But trying to apply these words can sometimes feel like you’re attempting to build a spaceship out of duct tape and rubber bands. First, let’s take a closer look at the individual components of Ashe’s wisdom.
Begin Where You Are: The Geometric Concept of “Here”
Let’s face it, the idea of starting where you are sounds straightforward until you realize you’re not entirely sure where you are. Not geographically, but in whatever space—mental, financial, emotional, or physical—you find yourself. Imagine using a GPS that only knows two coordinates: Point A (where you are) and Point B (where you need to be), but only if Point B has coffee.
Geographical Confusion
Picture this: You’re sitting in a room full of motivational posters, all telling you to start where you are. But you’re not sure if you’re in the land of opportunity or the realm of “help, I’m drowning in a sea of procrastination.” So, where do you begin?
| Issue | Possible “Where You Are” Starting Points |
|---|---|
| Job Search | You’re unemployed and Googling job boards at 2 am. |
| Weight Loss | You’re eating a pint of ice cream as you read this. |
| Learning a New Skill | You’ve watched 20 YouTube tutorials and feel no wiser. |
| Financial Management | Your wallet has tumbleweeds and crickets inside. |
Emotional GPS: Recalculating
Now, let’s talk about the emotional aspect. Maybe you’re at a “crying over spilled milk” point. The good news is Arthur Ashe’s advice is inclusive of all tear-related situations. Admit where you are emotionally first. Maybe keep a box of tissues nearby for this part.
Utilize What You Have: The MacGyver Approach
The next pearl of wisdom: use what you have. This sounds great until you realize what you have is a miscellaneous collection of half-functioning household items. You know, like that one appliance that either comes in handy or mysteriously can cut through pennies.
Inventory Check: Making Do
Let’s run an amusing inventory check of what you might have versus what you actually need.
| What You Have | What You Need |
|---|---|
| 3 mismatched socks, a rubber band | A full-functioning set of workout gear |
| An old laptop with a questionable “e” key | A state-of-the-art job application automation system |
| Half a box of pasta, moldy cheese | A healthy, Instagrammable meal |
| Knowledge of basic first aid | Medical degree (wishful thinking?) |
Resourcefulness Is Key
Remember that story where MacGyver disarmed a bomb using a paperclip and chewing gum? You can channel your inner MacGyver and find humor in your creativity. Maybe you can’t fashion a helicopter out of a hairdryer and some twine, but you’ve surely made a passable sandwich with the last two slices of bread and an array of odd condiments.
Doing What You Can: Baby Steps and Gigantic Leaps
Finally, “do what you can.” This might be the most comforting and simultaneously perplexing part. Essentially, it’s knowing when to move mountains and when to move your unwashed dishes to the sink.
Start Small
Let’s be real: Doing what you can often means doing something small. Like, really small. As in, “today I’m going to email that one person back” or “I’ll do just a single push-up and call it a victory.”
| Task | Realistic Action Step |
|---|---|
| Writing a book | Write one paragraph, maybe even a sentence. |
| Preparing a five-course meal | Make a decent sandwich. |
| Learning a language | Memorize one phrase. |
| Getting fit | Stretch for five minutes |
Aimed For Perfection, Landed on “Eh, Good Enough”
Understand that sometimes, just showing up is half the battle. If you end up with the world’s most lopsided cake or a video call where only half your face is visible, congrats—you did what you could.
The Bigger Laugh: Finding Humor Amidst Frustration
Now, after meticulously laying out the bits and pieces of Ashe’s triad guidance, a question looms: How do you stay sane enough to find humor in this? Life isn’t one continuous episode of “Laughter Yoga,” but seeing the absurdity in small things can prevent the wrinkles from turning too deep.
Laugh Therapy
Going through a series of small missteps often produce the best anecdotes. Missed a Zoom meeting because you couldn’t figure out the time zone? Boom, you’ve got content for the next family gathering. Or fall flat on your face while trying to exercise? That’s basically Instagram gold.
Why We Laugh
Studies say laughter releases stress. Who knew that cackling over an unexpected burnt toast can potentially save a lifetime of therapy costs?
Recap and Animate
By now, you’ve humored yourself through the chaos of Ashe’s guiding principles. Sure, you might still be at the same starting point, wondering if you have anything useful and questioning what you reasonably can achieve. But the adventure of life is often sprinkled with funny little mishaps and small victories. And remember, it’s perfectly okay to laugh at yourself along the way.
What have we gleaned?
- Start where you are: Beware of motivational posters; they’re the comedic break.
- Use what you have: Embrace your inner MacGyver (mistmatched socks for a workout? Why not?).
- Do what you can: Celebrate the tiny wins (even if it’s just reading this entire article in one sitting).
Applying Arthur Ashe’s advice doesn’t mean life becomes flawless. On the contrary, it allows room for imperfections, hiccups, and some well-deserved laughter.