Sometimes life is hard…..it challenges us, it baffles us, and yes, it teaches us. It’s annoying, because it repeats the lessons over and over. Sending us trials and tribulations in the hopes that we are paying attention. That rather than pointing fingers at others; we are holding the mirror up. For in the mirror are the patterns, and the lessons that we need to acknowledge. With mindfulness we can see where we take the same route and arrive at the same destination each time. As we gaze into the mirror we realize that we have been doing the best we know how to do, but now we must up our game, find new pathways, and generate new outcomes.
It is not the time to shame ourselves. For no one can rise to the occasion if they have been shamed. So start with a generous helping of forgiveness; add a cup of love, mix in new ingredients, and gently guide yourself towards new experiences, growth, and development. There is no easy way out. We must look at what pains us, squarely in the face, and then move on. Remembering the only way out is through….some things will take time, others will move with us and give instant results. Know this, whatever you give out, you get back. So when you are unhappy with life and what it is sending your way, ask yourself the powerful question – what did I do that attracted this response? With grace and forgiveness what can I do to nurture a new way of being? Loving yourself isn’t selfish. Ultimately, it’s a measure of how much you can love others.
Cheryl Strayed said “There are some things you can’t understand yet. Your life will be a great and continuous unfolding. It’s good you’ve worked hard to resolve childhood issues while in your twenties, but understand that what you resolve will need to be resolved again, and again. You will come to know things that can only be known with the wisdom of age and the grace of years. Most of those things will have to do with forgiveness. Nobody’s going to do your life for you. No matter what unjust, sad, sucky things have befallen you. Self-pity is a dead end road. You make the choice to drive down it. It’s up to you to decide to stay parked there or to turn around and drive out.”
By Lisa Scott ~ Certified Executive/Life Coach