Friday, June 3, 2022
“Avoid asking why about the past, when about the future & focus on the present. It’s all coming together.” (p.354)
As a wordsmith with a philosophizing mind, quotes, even the ones I write myself can be tricky. I no sooner write one, even put it in a book, and I think of alternative thoughts and the ways that they may not be true for life. I love quotes because they are thought provoking. The truth is that healthy self examination about our own motivation, why we make certain choices in life, and the experiences that result from them can be beneficial to understand ourselves further and avoid making patterns out of choices that don’t create positivity on our path. The trouble with asking ‘why’ about the past happens when we put the focus on choices made by other people and how they affect us. Instead of asking why in this instance, ask what or how….What did I contribute that led to where I stand today? How can I get stronger or wiser in the future? An optimist is keenly aware of what they can control in life, and always makes choices to move forward based on those things. Many of life’s worries come when we think our fate or happiness lies in someone else’s hands. Don’t give up your power, everything you have ever needed to be successful is in you. If you don’t recognize that, make sure you are asking the right questions to uncover your strength.
Daily Action: Make a list of the things that you can control. On a separate sheet of paper write down the things that are out of your control. Put the first sheet in a prominent spot in your day, like your bathroom mirror. Take a match to the other sheet and forget about it.
Daily Reframe: We find a more content spirit when we focus on what we can control, our attitude and your choices, and let the rest go.
With Optimism,
Wendy