I saw a poster years ago that said, "Happiness is not having what you want, but rather wanting what you have!" So, here's what I'm thinking:
There is the "Ideal World", the one we make up... that should exist, (hahaha). It has all the things we should have, would have, could have done. All the things that life should, would, and could look like, and... it's all based on a "premise" that we decided to accept, often for no good reason. In fact, either we made the premise up or someone made it up for us--and we accepted it!
Then, there is also the Real World,
The one that we are actually involved in--and we all know what that world looks like....right?
Over the holidays, I have been reflecting on the secret to mastering our emotions. To me, it is captured in the Serenity Prayer:
Lord, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
For me, it is a great reminder for mindfully embracing the things I cannot change with kind acceptance. For example: I cannot change the past, traffic jams, a bad hair day... or just "life"... Life! ... with all if its dark parts, with all its light parts, and with all of its sparkles in between! A great thing to keep in mind when things don't go our way is that some things are simply beyond our control--this is great news! This means we are off the hook, we've no reason to worry or stress over it, and may even have been given permission to laugh at our circumstance!
Taking it up a notch, this year I will spend more time appreciating and celebrating... I will celebrate all the lessons I have learned, all the miracles of everyday life. For example, nature, which we can witness anywhere... or unique people, who add color to our daily lives... or even my computer! (Thanks to my computer for allowing me to reach you all with this newsletter today!) I hope you will join me in this resolution. We are all in this together!
And one step further, changing the things I can, as best I can... as time allows me... and as my inner guidance best propels me to do. I am going to give it my best shot! I like to think I "get to" rather than "I have to". That feels more empowering and fun! Want to do the same for yourself?
This year, personally, I will continue on this journey called life and try new things. For example, this year, I am going to call upon some physicians here in San Diego and see if they need my help to encourage their patients to eat more veggies, meditate, take action and get more exercise... all the things I teach in my classes. And of course, I will add a little extra laughter in everything I do! Hope you will too!
What could you do for yourself that will allow you to feel some extra zest for life??
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