Sometimes in life, circumstances around you align with your own life and there are clear lessons to be learned. Revelations arise that were always right in front of your face the whole time, but you just weren’t at a place to see them clearly. Wisdom that you once heard takes on new meaning and you finally understand it. I had these moments happen over and over to me in the last few days, and as it seems it’s happened to many special people in my life as well. Although our experiences differ, is it a coincidence that we are all seeing life with a fresh new perspective? I don’t think so.
People come into your life for specific reasons and at different points. Some people come into your life to teach you how to…..
live
laugh at yourself
let go
appreciate life
Others come in to teach you how to….
be real
trust
fail
get back up
And you are part of other’s life as well for the same reasons.
But, I believe that the only time that you truly learn is when you are ready to take off the blinders and look deep within. I have spent much of my life stuffing things down, but eventually they will come to the surface.
So, the most important life lesson I have seen in a new light this week is that I am the only one responsible for my actions, reactions, and attitude. Until I stop blaming others around me for why I am unhappy, and take responsibility for my life, I won’t see the lessons to be learned that are right there for the taking. There is no power that comes from waiting for others to change my life…from waiting for circumstances to change in order to make ME happy. It’s all on me.
I don’t think a person can fully understand that until they are ready and have come to that place of total acceptance that they must look inward for change. The only person you can control is yourself.
When you start taking responsibility for your actions, and take control of how you react to circumstances that happen in life…both good and bad…it’s only then that you can truly be free to heal and grow.
I’m almost 7 years into reclaiming my life, and I’m just now beginning to understand this. There is still so much to learn. But the best part is, that I’m in control of keeping my eyes wide open and not just hearing about these life lessons…but actually LISTENING and APPLYING it all to my life.
I first saw this video when I was at a very low point in my life. Even though one may view it as depressing, I find hope and wisdom within the lyrics and images. The hope is the promise that I have control of my life the and knowledge is right at my fingertips if only I chose to listen.
My hope is that you and I will see life with open eyes without the cloud of blame, resentment, or doubt. Not everyone will understand where you are coming from and that’s OK as they haven’t walked in your shoes. It’s like when someone that doesn’t have kids yet tries to tell you how to raise your own. They just don’t understand that which they haven’t lived. I hope that makes sense to someone else! It’s a hard one to articulate. 🙂
From my heart to yours,
Christine
Reclaiming LIFE 
Always so wise and intuitive my friend! So many times we watch people learn lessons that seem to be so obvious, although sometimes not to the people living in the middle of it! It often takes living it yourself before learning the lessons we have to learn and sometimes it takes watching someone else live them before we can see how obvious the solution is… I think the lessons just keep reappearing in different forms until we figure it out! Funny how you hear your entire life that happiness comes from within but nobody actually has a formula or a fix all to make an individual happy!
Coincidence, I think not~ I am not sure I believe in coincidence. I also doubt it a coincidence that you Christine have this incredible ability to see more clearly than most and that your words often speak true for so many of us? I don’t think it’s a coincidence… You are another tool on all our paths of knowledge! Without putting any pressure on you, I would say you are a healer! Your insights and views speak so louodly to many of us! Thanks once again for sharing! You have given me food for thought today!
There was this mantra that was inbedded into all of us in Kung Fu years ago – the gist is that ‘you can not control things that happen around you, you can only control how you react to it.’
Christine, you really have a gift with words. Thank you for sharing. Take care and hope to see you soon.
Hi Christine,
Everytime you leave a note here, I find that its like you are talking about direct parts of my life. I thank you so much for sharing yourself to all of us , you give me hope and strength.
I am still a huge work in progress but little by litte each day i am trying to move forward and embrace this next chapter in my life. ANd not bury my head in the fridge cause I hate my emptying nest. I am finding ME again. I am working out 3 times a week now with an Amazing woman. I feel better and while i dont see huge changes ( big weight losses) others say they see a difference in me. THat i have lost some weight and I seem more confident & happier? I know I still need to work on my eating habits, and learn proper ways to eat. Would you have any tips you could share or suggestions?? Would me keeping a log help?? Or is there some books you might recommend?
Anyways thanks again for being so supportive, I think your an amazing woman!!
Margaret
Margaret, I think keeping a log is important! At least it was for me when I first started this journey. I had to learn how to eat and looking back at what worked and didn’t work helped a lot. PLUS, it makes you accountable since you have to write everything down that you are eating.
The book that helped me was Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Solution.
Also, check out the “What’s on the Menu” section of this blog.
Be proud of the small changes you are making, because if you add up all those small changes, they make up a big change that will help you move forward. Surround yourself with positive, and give no power to the negative. Whenever you find yourself thinking negatively, recognize it and change it! Positive in, positive out!
Good luck Margaret, remember to enjoy the ride! You have so much in life to be proud of!