IT'S A NEW DAY

Today starts with a clean slate.  I can choose to begin again, start over, and open myself to the possibilities of this new day.  Likewise, I can decide to hold on to the past and let it pollute this moment by expecting more of the same and probably getting that expectation fulfilled.  There is a time to consciously deal with unresolved issues, however, if I hold on to grudges and rigidly cling to limited beliefs about myself and others, I do harm to myself and miss out on the opportunities this day holds.
 

I choose to free myself from the bondage of the past and to open my mind and heart to the gifts now offers.
 

WORKING TOGETHER

Many times I act as if I am the ‘Master Controller’ of the universe, expecting everyone and everything to bow down to my desires and wishes.  It can get very lonely and scary ruling the empire by myself.  It’s also exhausting taking accountability for everything that goes awry.  I am convinced of the need to let go of the need to control.  When I was younger, I had to assume responsibility that I wasn’t prepared or ready to handle.  I tried desperately to influence the people and situations around me in an effort to avoid conflict, chaos, pain, and suffering.  It created an illusion of safety but really wasn’t all that successful. 

Today I find myself often holding on to control when it isn’t necessary.  I can choose to let go and trust that the universe is unfolding as it should.  I am not alone, you are willing and ready to work with me.  When I need to step up to the bat I can do so and then surrender it when the need is over.  I will breathe and remind myself that I am safe and confusion or chaos doesn’t require the same response now as it did then.  I will open my mind and heart to share power with you and work as a teammate.  I have gifts and skills and so do you, together we can create moments of brilliance.

EMPOWERMENT

When feelings flood my being and knock me off my feet I can either drown or learn to swim.  It’s easy to give in and to allow the waves of feeling to sweep me away wherever the tide might take me but then I end up feeling victimized and powerless.  Saying and doing things that I regret; I blame others for ‘making’ me feel this way and take no responsibility for my actions.  The payoffs for giving into helplessness are others may rush to fix me, trying to rescue me from the whirlpool of my emotions, making excuses for me and not allowing me to experience the consequences of my actions.  But, the choice of victimhood has high costs.
 

I no longer choose to pay those costs.  I will take responsibility for the challenges I face in this day.  True it may be scary to take risks, however, I will acknowledge my courage and learn the lessons I need to learn.  I will comfort and nurture myself when I fall short of the mark, get up and try again.  I will celebrate my successes and affirm my belief in myself.  I will listen to my feelings and recognize they are temporary experiences.  I will be curious about the stories I tell myself that create these feelings and notice when these stories are judgments and assumptions.  I will communicate my needs assertively without expectation.  I am in control of my life and choose a life of empowerment this day.

TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY

There are days when it is easy to take things personally and to believe the worst about myself and others.  This leads to hurt, fear of connection, discouragement, anger, disillusionment and suffering.  I become the center of the universe and believe that others’ choices are reactions to something I said or did.   I begin to shame myself for being inadequate or blame others for being hurtful and at fault.  Neither of these options works for me anymore.

Today, I will remember that you have the right to make choices that work for you just as I have the right to make choices that work for me.  I will release my belief that I control you in anyway and bless you to be who you are whether I agree with you or not.  I deserve the same blessing from you that I offer.  I surrender my desire to understand or make sense of your choices as it’s none of my business.  I will focus my attention on the choices I make today and walk in freedom, living in this moment and allowing it to unfold as it will.

CREATING RESPECT

Being respectful and showing others that I value and care for them is a high priority for me.  However, it’s a reality that becomes nearly impossible when my mind becomes filled with judgment and expectation.  I stop seeing you as you really are and suddenly it’s more about me than it is you or us.  Respect starts to slip away and I begin to react.  Sometimes I am completely unaware that the thoughts I am telling myself about what you said or did are not facts but merely beliefs or assumptions.  I blindly create walls, prejudice, distance and disrespect, becoming angry, hurt, frustrated, narrow-minded and intolerant.  This is definitely not the person I choose to be.

Today I will recognize when I feel slighted or hurt and ask myself what story I’m telling myself that is creating this feeling.  Before I react, I will communicate my interpretation of your action directly to you in order to find out if I’ve misunderstood your intention; most of the time I find I have.  I will remember that I want to participate in an honest, open encounter with you and create mutual acceptance, and care.  I choose to walk the road with you today showing you the respect you deserve.

 

SELF CARE

Pushing, pushing, pushing, there are times when I pressure myself to perform, to achieve, to strive for perfection until finally my body cries out ‘ouch, stop’ and refuses to go any further.  I become irritable and unpleasant, alienating those around me.  I feel depressed , frustrated with myself and out of sorts.

It’s very possible to avoid this experience if I only stay mindful of what I am doing.  Today I will listen to my body and take care to its needs.  I will remain aware when I am over-doing it, remind myself that I can dare to be adequate and release myself from the perfectionism trap.  I will acknowledge my feelings and needs and attend to them with compassion and openness.  I will breathe and rest when I am tired.  I choose to take care of myself first so I can be available to others.

PROCRASTINATION

Procrastination whispers invitingly in my ear: “Later, tomorrow, there’s no rush, you can wait, not now.”  While I may feel temporary relief when I listen to this seductive voice, I usually set myself up for increased stress, problems sleeping, stomach aches and panic.  I miss out on opportunities, disappointed others and myself by unfinished or forgotten promises,  prepare insufficiently for success, and then blame and shame myself for my laziness.  And even so, the voice of procrastination still has appeal and tempts me.  Putting off movement is greatly influenced by my inability to recognize the payoff/costs ratio.  If the payoff isn’t greater than the costs I don’t move.  Sometimes my lack of motivation is due to fear of taking risks and failing, other times it’s because I think I don’t have enough information to make a decision and I’m scared of possible outcomes and not being able to control results.  I let ‘what ifs’ stop me in my tracks and deceive myself by believing I’ll feel more motivated or ready to act tomorrow.

Today, I choose to take time to focus my energy, prioritize my goals, remember the benefits of taking action over inaction, balance my activity so I’m not worn out by trying to do too much, and breathe.  I will step forward responsibly and accomplish what lies before me.   I will take time to rest and restore myself, recognizing what has been achieved and giving myself a pat on the back.  I can do one thing at a time and set small, manageable goals.  There is no time like NOW.