PEACE...JOY...LOVE

I'm afraid...

Today, a friend of mine was invited to a function thrown by a dear friend of hers.  She was so excited about going, she started thinking about what she was going to wear...how she would wear her hair...accessories, etc.  We're going back and forth with the mental planning when all of a sudden she stopped...she looked as if she'd seen a ghost.

"I can't go..."

But, why? 

"He'll be there...I can't face him..."

My friend was afraid to go to this beautiful function all because she didn't want to run into her ex.  But, how many of us have been in this same situation?  Maybe you weren't afraid of seeing your ex.  Perhaps you were afraid of seeing your old high school buddies, your old boss, or maybe you were afraid of having to meet new people.  In any case...I'll tell you like I told my friend.

Are you going to live your life sitting on the sidelines?  Are you going to live your life in hiding?  Or are you willing to take a risk and risk having a GREAT time?  Yes, it's true that there's a chance things could go terribly wrong...but there's also a chance that things could go TERRIFIC!!  Instead of focusing on the ONE thing that could go wrong...focus on all the many things that could go RIGHT!  Don't let fear keep you from living your BEST life! 

Next time you're afraid to do something...make a list of all the positive things that will happen, and how much this new experience will enhance your life.  You'll soon see that this experience is worth risking the minute things you're afraid of.  Don't just sit there...you have a life to LIVE!!  :)

Why do I keep doing this???

Ever wonder why you sometimes do things you know you shouldn't?  Why you're mean sometimes to others...or even to yourself?  Why you have bad habits you can't seem to break?  Well...I have an answer for you...but, first...let me tell you about my cat...

If you've ever had a cat...then you understand very well that every once in awhile, he will act up and act out.  My first reaction may be to scold him, and punish him...only to find him doing the same thing... AGAIN!!  My next reaction may be to punish him again...but, to no avail...he's NOT listening.  What gives?

Well...if you seek a cat expert...they'll probably tell you there's a reason why they're acting out.  For example...if I don't clean his litter...he just might find a more suitable place to use the bathroom.  If I neglect to feed him on time...he just might go into my trash.  If I don't provide him with toys and attention...he just might start clawing my furniture...:-\

So...what are YOUR reasons for acting out?  What needs of yours are you neglecting?  What is your inner child crying out for?  Stop beating up on yourself and punishing yourself.  Instead, LOVE YOURSELF, take the time to listen...inquire...and then fulfill that need in a positive way...and watch as your bad habits and your lashing out...finally starts coming to an end...

I can't stop my thoughts...

This is something I hear a lot of my friends complain...

"I can't stop thinking about him/her...why can't I stop?  I don't want to, but I do...ugh..."
"I keep thinking horrible thoughts about myself...I'm so depressed..."
"I can't help but think this isn't going to work...it's going to fail..."

One common mistake I witness a lot of people make, including myself, is that we believe there's this mountaintop of perfection that we haven't reached yet.  On this mountaintop...we'll only think positive thoughts.  We'll never experience a negative emotion again.  We'll be forever happy...always smiling...not a care in the world. But, this isn't realistic...this is never attainable...and this belief will only send one sinking ever more into despair.

Here's the kicker:  YOU CAN'T STOP YOUR THOUGHTS.  That's right...you can't.  But, what you CAN do is choose to believe the thought, or not believe the thought.  You can acknowledge a thought, or you can ignore a thought.  Thoughts are messengers.  They're sent to teach you something...so DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!  :)

If the messenger is coming to you with information...you have a CHOICE...you can accept the information and do something POSITIVE about it.  Or, you can NOT accept the information and tell the messenger a POSITIVE reason why.  Either choice requires action.  And, this action will empower you...you'll notice some thoughts go away because you've corrected the messenger.  Others will prompt further self development. 

With either choice, you'll be at peace...because no longer do you feel you're on a never ending climb to the top of the Mountain of Perfection.  You'll realize that this life is about learning along every step of your journey.  The messengers are coming to teach you.  So, listen to what they have to say and choose accordingly.