Step 1: Accept responsibility for your life.
Simply put, you can not claim the power to change your life if you do not accept the responsibility for creating the life you are in. Your actions AND/OR beliefs ultimately (and often unconsciously) have a direct bearing on your life today. Don’t be someone things happen to or for (victim or child). If you’ve never thought of life this way before, it can seem like quite a stretch. Yet we all know people who make things happen despite incredible odds. They’re no different than you or I, except very often in the way they approach life. You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘mind over matter’. This concept is just an extension of that phrase.
I’d also like to add that there are some very negative events that most of us would never consciously choose. I believe in accepting responsibility even for those. This is linked to my belief that we are all here for a purpose and the lessons of the first half of our life (and the repeated lessons later on in life) are our unconscious preparation to live our life purpose to the maximum effectiveness. Over and over again, I have seen evidence that once a person gets clarity about their life purpose, we begin to understand the deeper meaning and lesson of those events.
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November 29th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Sometimes I find it hard to accept that I am resposible for everything that happens in my life, whether consciously or unconsciously. However, I’ve realized (through coaching with Louise) that by not accepting the fact that my choices, both good and bad, have led me to where I am now, I am keeping myself a victim by giving up my power and control to others. Eventually I find that this role becomes pretty tiresome and prevents me from moving on in life. Whenever I recognize that it’s me who’s in oontrol of my ship I feel liberated and am ready to be proactive, not reactive to events and circumstances. I’m trying not to view certain choices I’ve made as mistakes because they have all contributed to who I am at this point in time and I couldn’t have done it any other way.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
@Rgail,
I know it’s sometimes been a struggle for you, but that feeling of liberation and wanting be be pro-active in your life is addicting. And while we all fall off the wagon from time to me (me too!), the important thing is to get back on that horse asap!
P.S. Please forgive me for the 2 different metaphors in one sentence!