The only thing in life that is certain is its uncertainty. You can either learn to embrace the unexpected and release the expected, or live with a great deal of frustration, anxiety and stress.
Life for everyone can be either a joyous adventure, or filled with struggle, pain and adversity. Life is a neutral process that does not select some people for success and others for failure, some for happiness and others for loneliness, or some for wealth and others for poverty. Life comes to each of us one day at a time, and we make choices and decisions that create our outcomes and consequences.
Some of these outcomes may at first appear positive, but over time we learn that they had negative lessons. Others at first may seem to be negative, but with the passage of time bring positives that we never could have anticipated.
Many would argue that bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. I would argue first that all of this depends on the definition of bad and good. What can seem to be bad for us (loneliness, for example) can bring us growth, peace and surrender in the end if we can learn to see the good in solitude. What can seem to be good for us (wealth for example) can bring us fear, arrogance and isolation.
One of my basic life premises is that every life has its share of opportunities, struggles, successes and failures, and that, regardless at any given moment what you may be experiencing in your life, it can be either positive or negative depending on:
1- how you feel about it.
2- how it makes you feel about yourself.
3- what you do with it or about it.
It is not my premise that everyone can (or should) experience the same type or degree of anything in life – i.e. happiness, success, fear or ignorance. That is not for me, or any other person, to wish for you or to expect life to take from you. We are each here to learn, grow and experience life – whatever form it takes for each of us – as we move through the days and years of our lives.
This article is not about answers to your needs, questions, struggles or dreams. It is about asking you to think differently or uniquely about whatever life has put in your lap at any given moment (either suddenly or over time) – whether it is perceived as good or bad, and whether it lasts for a fleeting moment or for many years.
In the end, each of us has the power to choose. Even a prisoner or servant can choose what fills his mind and spirit. Being free is not just a physical idea, but also a mental one. There are many people who have the ability to get in their car and drive across the country, but are afraid to leave the safety of their own living room.
This article is about freedom. The freedom to:
· believe
· change
· understand
· let go
· begin again
· enjoy
· accept
· feel
Do you want anything in your life to be different or better than last year or yesterday in any way? Do you want greater success, more peace, less stress, more friends, more financial freedom, more fun, or _________ (add your own)?
What are you going to do different this year than last? Today vs. yesterday?
· Are you going to work harder or smarter?
· Are you going to learn more?
· Are you going to communicate more honestly?
· Are you going to ______ (whatever)?
There is one sure way to guarantee that the dreams in your life will be realized. There is one thing you can do, starting now, to ensure that the mistakes and lessons of last year are used as stepping stones to a better future. There is one action you can take now that will create a year in your life that is filled with happiness, achievement, success and prosperity.
Remember, your are here for a little while, then gone forever!
Tim Connor, CSP is an internationally renowned sales, management and leadership speaker, trainer and best selling author. Since 1981 he has given over 3500 presentations in 21 countries on a variety of sales, management, leadership and relationship topics. He is the best selling author of over 60 books including; Soft Sell, That’s Life, Peace Of Mind, 91 Challenges Managers Face Today and Your First Year In Sales. He can be reached at tim@timconnor.com, 704-895-1230 or visit his website at http://www.timconnor.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment