Are you actively participating in your life or are you just spectating? Actively participating is working to create your life by making conscious choices. It is easy to sit on the sidelines and complain about the hand that life deals. It takes courage and action to get up off the bench to participate. Life will not be easier but it can be richer. Keep this in mind, it takes getting into the game in order to have a chance at winning. A 50/50 percent chance is a much better set of odds than 100% of nothing.
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For years I stuck to the axiom of “fake it till you make it”, but unless you know what you like and what brings true meaning to your life, you could end up faking it forever. Choose to take time out and discover the true authentic person you are within. Be willing to let go of the old thoughts, ideas and beliefs that have been passed on to you by others. When you discover your true self, you will no longer desire to be a cubic zirconia because know you ARE a natural diamond.
Instead of hiding from the Jehovah’s Witness that started coming to my home a few weeks ago, I invited the two women in to discuss “The Good News”. It’s been an amazing learning experience not in the sense of religion or spirituality but as in learning who I have become over the past few years. I think the Bible study sessions have become a form of checks and balances in my beliefs. As for me, I have no desire to convert but I enjoy discussing a hot button topic and do not feel diminished when we do not come to the same conclusion. I know in order for anyone to grow and expand into the best version of themselves, one must not be afraid to step out of their comfort zone. I must admit, I don’t know why or how long we will continue to meet, but I do know that what ever is happening is only for my good, and that’s great news.
Sometimes in life we have to have those difficult conversations that have the potential to not stay on the “mature level”. The true sign of your maturity is your response to those types of conversations. Just because the conversation is taking a turn for the worst, does not mean you have to participate. It’s like playing in the sandbox, just because you’re invited in to play and throw sand does not mean you have to. You always have the right to choose even if it means walking away.
There have been many times that I have gotten my car stuck in the mud and there are valuable lessons I have learned from this experience that I can apply in life. One of the most important things to remember is: Don’t panic. When things are not going your way, the worst thing you can do is just and switch into something without having some type of game plan or destination in mind. When you feel panicky or anxious when things are not working out the way you plan, try and compose yourself first, take a step back, take time to think and assess the situation and then decide what to do. You don’t want to got from one mud hole to the next.
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” ― 
Your greatest gift is your adaptability. When you can learn to let go of your need to control, life opens up and flows. I am still a work in progress, but I am not so hell bent on having things go “my way”. Life has become more enjoyable and my relationships have significantly improved. I no longer feel as if I have to defend my opinions but rather expand my sense of understanding. Each and every one of us were created with a purpose that this world so desperately needs. As Zig Ziglar so eloquently stated: Man was designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness. Know that you are not diminished by anyone else’s opinion.
By allowing the opinions of others to control our thoughts, actions and emotions we miss out on the richness that life offers up to us each day. We label each other in order to “relate” to someone. It’s subconscious behavior that can be changed with awareness. By looking past the labels that we “assign” ourselves and others, we can begin to see the humanness in everyone without preconceived judgement. Life is your to live, don’t be afraid to change or remove the labels. You’re only penalized if you don’t.
Everyday we have to choice to focus on the positive or dwell on the negative. To everything there are two sides. The switch from negative to positive outlook is not easy but it is possible and it begins with your self-talk. Start here and fill in the blank…What’s the __ thing that can happen today? If your answered with BEST, congratulations!
In life there is a dynamic duo by the name of Now and Later. To be successful, we have to learn to appreciate now in order to navigate or influence want we want later. Take for instance, whatever you are going through right now in life can provide the tools and the wisdom you need to manage future difficulties later, if you look for it. Take what you learn now and apply it towards what you will face later. It becomes compounded wisdom.
Sweet N Social 