Embrace
the choices, changes and challenges in 2017. It’s that time of year again for
me to reflect on what I accomplished and what needs to be improved upon going
forward. It’s been three years now that I’ve incorporated the “one word” theme
in my New Year short term goals. I can honestly say it’s something I’ve been
able to maintain its fostered positive personal growth. I can attribute
my ability to adjust to the proactive methods I’ve learned, and making sure to implement them as life
happens. My desire is to continue using this mindset as I aspire to press
forward, moving around the negativity as best I can and embrace what’s ahead.
Monday, December 19th the word “embrace”
hit me as I prepared for work. I decided to share what came as a result of me
taking some time to meditate on what my one word theme will mean in my life and
how to translate embrace as I move forward in 2017.
Choices~ Embrace MY choices. I learned the hard way
that not everyone will understand nor approve of my life choices. The desire to
have that approval is actually what use to keep me in a sad dark place for so
many years. The fear of what people would say or do if I didn’t make their
choice for my life. I am thankful for the day I removed that unnecessary
weight off of me and began to make choices based on what makes me happy. A few
years ago I read about an
Australian nurse by the name of Bronnie Ware, she spent several years working with
those who were dying and recorded their dying regrets. This is the number one
regret she recorded: "This was the
most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over
and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone
unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to
die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health
brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it." What other people think of you
doesn’t define Latrice, so I set myself free from their judgment. Stop being afraid of choosing to make YOU happy. I
know that it’s difficult to choose you, especially if you habitually put others
before you. I recall how I felt “selfish” and would subsequently back out of
choosing what made me happy. I’ve since figured out it’s not selfish to
actually live your life for you. Hell, I’m still trying to figure out why I
allowed others who were not really a contributing factor to my well-being be a
FACTOR in my life choices. In 2012 I resolved that I only owe consideration to my
kids(to a degree) and myself. I haven’t regretted one decision I’ve made since
choosing ME! In 2017 there are a few major choices on the horizon and I must persist
in embracing the choices that advance me closer to my dreams.
Changes~ Embracing
change can be quite unsettling especially since there is a level of fear
attached to the unknown. Let’s face it being drawn out of a space you've been in
for many years is going to cause some uneasiness. I’m almost sure this is why
they call it a "comfort zone". I know that changes will occur as a
result of the choices we make or through not making a choice which in itself is
actually a choice. It’s imperative to acknowledge and accept that in changes are challenges but in the
midst of your challenges you always have a choice. I’ve discovered that change
isn’t always uncomfortable and can be refreshing. “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy; not on fighting
the old but building the new.” ~Socrates
Challenges~ There is truly only one path to
become better at anything and it’s through experience and practice (mastering
levels, stages or degrees). Positive and negative experiences alike. I’m not actively
seeking out heartbreak, failure, illness, loneliness and loss. However when negative
experiences surface unexpectedly I feel the need to learn from it and use it to
my advantage the way I use the positive experiences for enrichment. In this
period of my life improving the person I am is my central focus. I want to raise
my children to understand that living a life that makes them happy without
hurting others is the root of successful living. Their challenge won’t be in
obtaining information but applying it. The application is the true work, right?
I swear the minute you state what you will do and won’t do, a test prepared by
fate will be administered by life to see if you are truly ready for the choices
you make, the changes and challenges to come.
I’m going to embrace happiness because I realize
that this is my choice, a choice I don’t plan to leave in the hands of
others.
"This is a surprisingly common one. Many
did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck
in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed
into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them
pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep
within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again." ~ Bronnie Ware
Live Free
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