Everything you hope to accomplish in life lies in wait for you to act. You are solely responsible for the quality, course, and construct of your life. Every choice you make—from the use of your time to the selection of your mate—makes a difference. So, if you’ve been blaming everything and everyone for your “circumstances,” that stops right here, right now.
If you are not happy with your life, the only one who can change things is you. Change is one of the most difficult things for people to accept because change introduces a new unknown to our life. Most people are uncomfortable with the unknown because they are afraid of what it will ask of them.
Unfortunately, most people view change as a threat or as something that will require some kind of sacrifice or payment. The fact is, they’re right. Change will require something from you, but it will always give you something in return. This simple but powerful truth is based on the Law of Reciprocity, which tells us that if we give something of ourselves, we will receive, often in overwhelming abundance, something in return.
I get it, life can sometimes suck. Been there, done that…far more than I care to admit. But even the worst of circumstance is lined with opportunity. It’s there if you look hard enough. Oh, and keep in mind that there is always someone else who is worse off than you. So, as my military warrior friends would often say…
“Embrace the Suck”.
In other words, look for the good in an otherwise less-than-desirable situation and you will always find it. More often than not, when you look back upon a difficult time you will see the lessons with clarity. You may even value those moments as some of the best growth periods of your life as well.
A Universal Truth: You will always get what you settle for.
Attitude is everything when it comes to creating the kind of life you desire. No matter what happens to you or around you, you have a choice. You can choose to feel sorry for yourself, project discontent, cast blame, and settle for mediocrity or…you can decide, right here and now that you are the master of your life. Does this mean you’ll never go through anything difficult or uncomfortable? No, but your attitude is the difference-maker in the perspective you cultivate in life.
The formula is simple: what you project is what you get. So, instead of accepting the circumstances of life, choose instead to poke your finger into the eye of defeat and declare “enough!”
If you’re ready to wake up and take responsibility for your own life, then declare today as that day you will begin to reprogram the thoughts, beliefs, and actions that will set you on a new course.
Here are a few simple habits that will empower you to change your perspective and begin projecting the right attitude to create the kind of life you desire.
Be Grateful.
Most people give so much power to their misery that they overlook the magnificence of what is right in front of them at any given moment. Be thankful for what you already have and watch the miracles unfold before you. Be grateful for the people in your life, the fact that you have shelter, the sights, sounds, and scents you get to experience.
Something happens when you stop to appreciate the things that are right in front of you. Colors become more vivid, details become more prevalent, and love grows as you become more attuned to the subtle nuances of life. There is nothing more tragic than wishing you had said or done something well after the opportunity has come and gone. Turn off the damn TV and appreciate what the silence has to offer. You may, in fact, hear the sounds of love that have been trying to make their way to you through the voices of your children or significant other.
Dream.
Every great achievement, advancement, or contribution began in the mind of someone. They dared to dream and to believe that their dream was possible. Take some time to yourself to contemplate the power of your innermost self. Use your creative imagination to remove the limits of the natural world. Wake up to the possibilities that are waiting specifically for you to experience.
Your greatest breakthrough lies in wait for you to unlock through the power of your imagination. Take stock of your unique abilities and pursue that which you have been called to do. Do not leave this world without knowing the gift of you.
Change your mindset.
Be rich-minded. Rich-minded people don’t focus solely on money but on the richness of life. This mindset adds to the quality of life they get to experience.
Far too many people think there is not enough to go around in the world. Theirs is a fear-based mindset. Their answers are based on insufficiency and lack—things they cannot see…things they fear. A poor person’s mindset selects security above love, safety before self-expression, and protection over possibility.
Rich-minded people understand that, with a little creativity, a willingness to be unconventional, and an open mind, they can indeed experience an abundant life. When you build your life with the right mindset, you will see opportunities most others simply cannot see. This is the fundamental difference between those who do and those who don’t and those who can and those who won’t.
Be intentional.
You’re creating the reality of your life at this very moment. But chances are you’re not being very intentional about the reality you’re creating. Reality is subjective. That is, it is highly personal. Once you realize the power behind that statement you will quickly realize the power you truly have to shape your life through the reality you create. Once you realize that you are indeed choosing whether or not to believe something, then you can choose to believe that you can do something about it.
Grow.
Challenge yourself to grow. Produce more ideas than you need for yourself so you can share your wisdom and insight with others. True wealth and happiness reside in the spirit of giving. Produce more than you need for yourself so you can begin blessing others, blessing your community, and enriching your life in the process.
A simple exercise…
Change begins with action, so I’ll leave you with this. Write down the beliefs you have about yourself. On one side, list the things that empower you and move you forward, the things that make you more confident, that give you the courage to move forward. On the other side, list the things that hold you back or move you away from your goals. Chances are, you will begin to see with clarity the power you truly have and you will be compelled to do something about it. After all, it all comes down to…you.
Until next time…
