When we step into our power and who we really are–completely comfortable in our own skin without defenses, excuses, or disclaimers–the wrong people will begin to exit our lives. They will oftentimes blame our change, accuse our freedom, and judge our discipline. That’s okay. Hold steady. The right people are on their way. The ones who will applaud our change, celebrate our freedom and who are living their own disciplined life already. MAKE ROOM! The right people remind you of who you really are.
One idea is that it takes 30 days to create a habit in your life. So in order to make a positive change, daily routines matter.
Positive affirmations and checklists can be helpful in creating habits that will facilitate outcomes of goodness. So how do we know if our choices will produce good results? I offer the following guidelines or “Notes to self” which have been a blessing in my life and the lives of others. Please feel free to use these “notes to self” to encourage good and thoughtful planning when a choice needs to be made.
1. Clearly understand that failure is an event, not a person; that yesterday ended last night, and today is a brand-new day.
2. Create peace with your past to be focused on the present and optimistic about your future.
3. Know that success (a win) doesn’t make you, and failure (a loss) doesn’t break you.
4. Be filled with faith, hope and love; and live without anger, greed, guilt, envy or thoughts of revenge.
5. Be mature enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities.
6. Know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong.
7. Become secure in who you are, so you are at peace with God and in fellowship with mankind.
8. Make friends of your adversaries and strive to gain the love and respect of those who know you best.
9. Understand that others can give you pleasure, but genuine happiness comes when you do things for others.
10. Be pleasant to the grouch, courteous to the rude, and generous to the needy.
11. Love the unlovable, and give hope to the helpless, friendship to the friendless and encouragement to the discouraged.
12. Look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up with gratitude.
13. Know that “he who would be the greatest among you must become the servant of all.”
14. Recognize, confess, develop and use your God-given physical, mental and spiritual abilities to the glory of God and for the benefit of mankind.
15. Live your life so that you can stand in front of Heavenly Father who is Creator of the universe, and He says to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
What you do matters. Your actions and choices will be noticed and will cause a ripple effect in the moments of your life and the lives of others. It is a sincere hope that wisdom is exercised so that each outcome creates a life-giving positive environment in whatever the circumstance we find ourselves.
Warmth and generosity are true indicators of making correct choices so be on the lookout for those feelings and intuitive signs. You light the way. So shine on and may goodness and joy be your companions!
