Sometimes it is a fear (day 28) - one that we have learned or one that is irrational. In either case, we eventually have a choice to work around it.
Sometimes it is not making the important things for yourself a priority (day 29) and then making excuses for it.
And sometimes we think that we should sit and wait for it to appear (day 30) because "today is my lucky day - I can feel it". Patti's comment to that was, "Unhappy people who win the lottery are just unhappy people in a more public way."
Here are the actions you can take to work through each:
Day 28: Write about what you are afraid of (my list includes big hairy spiders, being late, and drunk men in public - like the Oktoberfest) for 3 minutes. Then circle ones that keep you from doing things you really want to do. Where did you learn to be afraid?
Day 29: Make a list of all the things you want to do before you die. Then write next to each why you can't or didn't do it yet. Then take 3 minutes reframing each can or didn't into a can and will.
This is SO POWERFUL. I learned a lot about myself. On the top of my list was paragliding. I have wanted to do it since I saw people walk off mountain tops in Austria. But I haven't done it because it scares my family. However, now I am committed to doing a tandem jump sometime on my next trip to Alaska. You all read it here. Today.
What are you not doing?
Day 30: Take 5 minutes to list people who deserve your gift when you win the lottery. Who are they and why would you surprise them? THEN take 5 minutes and list how you can support them now - in small ways. Even just asking, "How can I best support you?" might be enough.
Live the life you have now. Don't wait to win big or for someone to come knocking on your door with a huge check. Don't wait to be helpful when you have more time or more money.
Do it now. As much as you can manage without losing yourself and letting go of your own needs. (We've learned THAT lesson, haven't we?!)
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Hi Susanne, Really thoughtful post (as usual). And very timely. With everything going on in Haiti, its easy to get overwhelmed and to believe that, as an individual, we can't make much of an impact, or do much to help (for whatever reason (fear, doubt, etc), and I think it doesn't just happen when it's far away. We get like that when something 'big' happens to someone in our own life. How about we reframe that? How about we ask how we can support, even in a small way, the people supporting those in need? Even a card or a phone call to someone struggling can make a difference in their day. But we have to choose it and then follow-through. We have to 'just do it' (over-used, but still effective). Thanks again for a thoughtful and action inspired post.
ReplyDelete-Sylvia