01.31.10

Refresh…..

Posted in It's All About Me(and Those Voices in My Head) at 4:52 pm by Administrator

You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die, or when.  You can only decide how you’re going to live now.

Joan Baez

A great friend took me out for dinner and drinks last night to work on my “focus”.  Remind me who I really am.  Convince me, once again, that I can be my own worst enemy.  Some of his insight got to me a little.  He’s pretty good at that.  And what he brought to the table was some harsh but necessary criticism of recent events that I handled in a “less than favorable” manner. 

I began to ponder his words and soon came to the realization he was right.  I was dwelling and torturing myself over a minuscule failure.  Because maybe sometimes it’s easier to look back and re-live events than it is to face the unknown trials ahead.  And one of his more poignant arguments is that no one can make you unhappy or miserable, unless you let them.  This is my life.  I determine where I go.  I dictate how I feel.  And though I may encounter situations that do not end the way I imagined, they are not life threatening.  Just a bruised ego that will eventually heal.  And if I am truly living, I will acquire the knowledge to make certain the same bruise with not be sustained twice.

And when those moments come when I feel unfortunate and a little run down over something here is what I need to remember(my “refresh” button on life):

• I am healthy–something that too many people can not say(I used to be one one them for I’ve cheated death and survived)
• I have an amazing support system of friends and family–so many others are all alone
• I am strong–after 40 tumultuous years, I have learned everything I need to overcome whatever obstacle arises
• I have faith that you “get out exactly what you put in” to everything–it’s never the prize that matters, but what you invested to attain it
• I am exactly where I choose to be–and should I wish to be elsewhere…I am the only one who can put the events in motion to get there
• I must embrace that everyday is an opportunity to make a difference–because an act of kindness may be small to commit yet overwhelming to receive

Life isn’t easy.  And though it may seem that way for some people, everyone has their trials to endure and mountains to climb.  You just may see what they let you.  For this opportunity called life that we are given is our chance to shine.  To achieve the unimaginable.  And the worst failure you can ever commit is never trying.  So don’t ever regret growing old or having your heart broken,  for far to many people out there, will never have a chance to experience either.

And in the end it’s not the years in your life that counts, but the life in your years.  Abe Lincoln

Permalink