Author: Jim Gohrick (Page 101 of 159)

More than likely this blog is a continuation of my last one in which I wrote about reconciling our past in order to free ourselves from the ties that can bind us in the present.

There are fears/topics/areas of interest/sticking points in our lives that repeatedly turn up that we must deal with over and over. These “ghosts” will continue to haunt us until they are dealt with courageously by squaring our shoulders up and looking them directly in the eyes.

We spend a lot of time hoping some quick-fix distraction (some form of addiction, procrastination, dysfunction, etc.) will make their presence vanish, only to find these haunting relics reappear around the next blind corner thinking we left them in the review mirror years prior.

Now, we’re chasing ghosts. This not a place anyone wants to be. So, let’s turn and face what scares us deep within. Once we do, we transcend that fear and begin to become the person we’re all capable of becoming.

Many of us – including myself for sure – seem to live our day from the past – not remaining present in the moment. Past mistakes, blunders, failures can creep into our “now” and taint the undiscovered moment of infinite possibilities.

We all have memories. This is a wonderful way of gaining fulfillment in our lives from moments we cherish with loved ones from the past. But, to take too much credence in our past pollutes our present moment putting a ceiling on what we’re capable of accomplishing.

Let’s let the past remain there and be grateful for where we are right now in this moment. After all, it is a gift called the present. Once we have reconciled (restore a friendly relation) the past within ourselves, then and only then can we appreciate this moment and now we’re free to create anything.

Give me the courage to face my fears

Give me the strength to follow through

Give me the patience to understand others

Give me Love to show my empathy for others

Give me the wisdom to make a difference

And give me the grace to do it with humility

Although we may not have control of how we feel about something, we certainly have a choice of how we can react.

This is the difference between a person who chooses to be a victim or someone who gets out in front and is proactive. The more space we put between the stimulus and response, the more productive our reactions tend to be. Hence, the solution of counting to 10.

We must remember WE are the governors of our emotions, our reactions and our perspective. No one can tell us how to feel nor respond.

Growing up I saw my father repeatedly go to work reluctantly. Unhappily. I could sense the feeling of dread he had on Monday mornings. Not to mention that he would make sure we (my brothers and sisters) knew it as well. When I became an adult, I chose not to view Monday mornings that way. I do my best not to view my job that way.

Why? I get to choose. I’m the Governor.

As are you.

As we all know, change can be a terrifying thing. They say, we all want to change just as long as we don’t have to change anything.

But all creative ideas, endeavors and manifestations come from the unknown – not the known. We have to get used to living and creating from that place – as uncomfortable as it may be. I’ve heard it said, “How can we expect things to change by repeating the same behavior over and over?”

This is not referring to a daily practice of getting better at something. I’m talking about hoping things in your life were different, but not doing anything about it. We must break the cycle of complacency and procrastination and do the work. It doesn’t have to be pretty. By no means perfect. It just needs to get done. Now. Today. Build it one brick at a time. Let’s not judge it, let’s just put in the work.

And then wake up tomorrow and do it again.