Life. It sure is interesting. I am always amazed at the situations I find myself in. Back in my negative days, I used to think I lived under a black cloud of endless disappointments. I daily found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time or interacting with odd, sometimes scary people.
I never found myself in places where I was in danger, but over and over I was placed in situations or scenarios I did not know how to handle. I felt certain each encounter was proof I was a disappointment to God.
It took an incident almost 30 years ago where I came close to suicide for me to see how dark my thoughts where. I needed to change, but how?
Life is a series of moments strung together that form our human experience. From the moment we take in our first breath until the second we take our last, we are here on this planet to learn and to grow. Everything that happens to us actually happens for us, as it shapes our lives in ways we can not always comprehend. Even when things don’t seem to be going our way, they are really going the right way for our own personal growth.
Over the past months, I’ve experienced some of the most stressful times I’ve had since my divorce (over 8 ½ years ago.) These personal growth events have begun to take a toll on me.
To start off, my now (lemon fresh) husband Rick and I are selling our home to begin a 1-2 year cross-country tour in a conversion van. This is something we are both looking forward to as it will allow us to see the country, visit friends, and have the time to write our books, speak and build IPPW.
Yes, this is an exciting thing, but it carries with it lots of work in preparation — selling our house, selling or giving away of most of our possessions and getting the van ready for the trip.
We’ve also been dealing with Rick’s two plus years of getting off all prescription drugs (we narrowed down his chronic fatigue and restless leg syndrome to these prescribed drugs being the culprit). We are also experiencing the stress of accepting the declining health of a loved one.
Being a former Negaholic, I know first hand this truth: If you see the world through negative eyes, you will receive a negative outcome. If you see the world through possibilities, you create positive results.
How did I change all those many years ago from turning negative things into positive? I simply changed my thoughts, looked for the good instead of the bad and trusted the Universe would take care of everything. Where I once thought the world was against me, I began to see the world was actually for me, big time.
Life can destroy us or make us better. What makes the difference is how we choose to see the world. Hear this loud and clear: It is a choice.
Currently we are experiencing three “bully” issues, all of which could impact our lives in what we would consider a negative way. We needed to change our thoughts.
The stress of the move, the packing, and the letting go of stuff has turned into a feeling of freedom. By letting go of possessions, I am far more grounded and liberated than ever before.
My husband’s prescription drug detox … he did it slowly and cautiously. It has been tough. We knew it would be. We are at the tail end of it and he can see the light at the end of the tunnel. By letting go of these poisons (yes, prescriptions taken even under a doctors care can be poisons) and replacing it with chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal concoctions, Rick is feeling better and better each day. We want to live a long, healthy life together. Because of our efforts over the last two years, we will do just that.
Now I see that all those situations the Universe was placing me in at the dark time of my life were actually wonderful adventures, many of them have become signature stories for my speaking career.
My current, “trying times” will become signature stories and maybe even a book. I am a better person for all the life lessons bestowed on me.
If I look at the toll which these problems have taken on me, I must add to the mix how much stronger I have become, how much more creative I am (results of problem solving), and how much happier I will be it is all behind us. Those sleepless nights have added to my resolve to take better care of myself (wait until I tell you what I applied for … a secret I’ll share with you in the coming months.)
During all the turmoil, my speaking business has picked up considerably and IPPW is rocking! I’m creating new divisions of my business and laying out new books I now know I want to write. I’ve created a new network division for IPPW – Fireside Chat ING – Intimate Network Gatherings, a new forum for members to take the stage and share their expertise titled Positively Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, and an entrepreneurial imagination forum called Think Like an Entrepreneur. We’ve also expanded the reach of our highly successful Motivation-A-Thon.
I feel I’m on fire! And who cares if it’s just a “hot flash!” I am not looking for an extinguisher – I’ve got burning ideas just waiting to be shared. I am using the fuel from the past year to design my future. How’s that for seeing the world through new eyes of possibilities?
So my dears… what is happening in your life? Are you on track and filled with new ways to bring purpose and prosperity into your world? Or are you overwhelmed, afraid, stressed or feeling alone? I get it…been there. Life can be hard, or it can be a catalyst for new possibilities.
I chose not to stay in negativity and you can too. It’s just this Earth school we call LIFE, and how we choose to live it creates our reality.
Choose to see the world through positivity and possibilities. Do what you can to help yourself and then give the rest over to the Universe. Life can be a crazy, wonderful ride. Hold on tight and buckle your seat belt!
