Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
Fall; what better time to decide whether there are changes we want to make? And, if we decide we want changes in our lives, there’s no better time to start making them. Why wait until January, the new year. Today is a perfect opportunity for a walk in the park and a little introspection into just what will make you happy, satisfied and fulfilled.
As many of you know, I was recently in a terrifying car accident. It’s left me with chronic pain and problems with focusing my eye. Like most people, until this happened, I took my good health for granted; it rarely occurred to me that I was so physically vulnerable or potentially frail.
Now, I have faced the harsh reality of my vulnerability. What I have done, and what I urge you to do in a similar situation, is make this reality check into a positive experience. Maybe you have been in a similar situation. It could be that you’ve been in a car accident, lost someone close to you, broken up with someone you love, or maybe you lost your job or a big client. The thing is, different losses trigger different reactions in all of us and what makes one of us feel exposed, may not cause the same response in another. But, no question about it – we all feel defenseless sometimes.
So, how do you turn your vulnerability and feeling of unease into a positive? Here’s what I suggest, and what I did.
- Embrace your vulnerability and realize your sensitivity. This tender open part of you is good and wholesome. It is a part of the total person that you are. You want to be a multi-faceted person – and such a person has both strengths and weaknesses. Accept and embrace all parts of yourself. Judgment is optional.
- Work on your weakness. In my case, I have to work on my eyesight, meaning hours of physical therapy. Maybe you are impatient, but have aging parents who require time and attention. Use their needs as an opportunity to breathe and to give yourself an opportunity to slow down.
- Appreciate what you have. As I said, before the accident, my good health, like my ability to go running free of pain, was something I took for granted. Say you’ve lost your job, now think about the things you’ve always wanted to do and finally have time to try.
- Be patient with yourself. Love yourself and let your body and mind heal when they have been hurt. If you loved and lost a person or a thing, you are entitled to some period of mourning, to a period of self-pity, a period of sadness. It takes time to heal physically or mentally and you owe it to yourself to take that time. Just don’t stay there. Love yourself and be patient. You WILL grow better from the experience in the long term.
- See the Blessing in the Circumstances. Are you finding that friends have come to support you in your time of need? Have you been reminded of how many wonderful friends you have? People care about one another and if you have built a strong support system, those people will help you in your time of need.
So, happy Fall to everyone. In this time of changing seasons, be good to yourself, recognize and embrace your vulnerabilities and, perhaps most of all, appreciate the good in yourself and in your life.
Challenge of the Month
Pick one situation in your life that is making you feel vulnerable and uneasy and take the necessary amount of time to embrace your vulnerability, work on your weakness, appreciate what you have and see the blessing in the circumstances. Notice how you are able to turn your feelings of unease into positivity. Email me with your insights! I would love to hear from you.
