If you do not like the way your life is make a decision to live the life you've always dreamed of.
Dr. Cindy Trimm
When it comes to life being fair, there is one thing that levels the playing field. That is the power of choice.
There are a lot of things about life that we do NOT get to choose! We do not choose what family we are born into or where we are born. We do not get to choose our race or the natural colors of our hair, skin, and eyes.
As children, we do not get to choose so many things about our life. The adults in our life choose for us.
But at some point, we come into the age of our personal power and our life becomes a reflection of what WE choose. In my post on "Believing Different for Better," I talked about my journey out of "my pit of misery." Life is all about choices and what we choose will determine the direction of our life.
So many other authors have written on this topic and articulated the value of choice both articulately and passionately. Visit my Reading List to see some of those books that changed my life.
The message today is this: the only thing standing in between you and the life that you want to live is your DECISION.
You must begin saying "Yes" to your "Yes!"
All of us have buried deep within us a powerful "Yes!" This "yes" is comes from our deepest and purest passions and thoughts. As we navigate life, we let hurt, disappointment, and fear get in the way of us connecting to those deepest passions and thoughts.
Our lives become a merry-go-round of REACTIVE thoughts and decisions. We let life happen to us.
I remember going to one of my mentors about a serious problem that I was having. She listened patiently and compassionately to me describe my problem in great detail. After I finished my monologue, she looked at me, smiled and said "So, what are you going to do about it?"
My first response was "Excuse me? Didn't you hear what I just said?" She smiled again and said "Yes, I heard you. What I want to know is what you plan to DO about it?"
This blew me away. I went away from that conversation very angry at her for not "understanding" me. What I later discovered was that she was speaking to me directly about my power to CHOOSE.
More than anything else, I believe it's our decisions, not the conditions of our lives, that determine our destiny. It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
Tony Robbins
The power of choice can be summed up in two words: "Yes" and "No."
Our life is shaped by what we choose to say "Yes" and "No" to. Each time that we choose, we are sending our life in a particular direction.
If you have a vision, a dream, or a goal it is wrapped up in your "Yes" and your "No."
Too many of us get side-tracked from what we want in life because we repeatedly say "Yes" to the things that we do not want. We say "Yes" to the things that lead us away from living the life that we so desire.
Today, I want to encourage you to say "Yes" to your "Yes!"
First you must get clear about what your "Yes!" looks like. What do you want to see happen in the major areas of your life? What goals, dreams, and aspirations do you have? What do you deeply desire to do?
All of these make up the second "Yes!"
Once you get clear on the things that you want to see in your life, you have to start saying "Yes" to them. You must start making the decisions that lead you to your "Yes!"
This means that you must also say "No" to the things that are leading you down the paths away from your big "Yes!"
So, back to my story. I eventually learned that I was giving away my personal power in the "problem" that I described earlier. I was wrapped up in this "back and forth" battle with a person and felt like I was coming out on the losing end.
What I know now that I didn't know then was my power to CHOOSE, to say "Yes" and "No," was keeping me from breaking free.
I tell people, I kicked DRAMA out of my life. I am not talking about other people's drama. I am talking about my own inclination to be a "Drama Queen." What I discovered was that I was addicted to the drama and this was causing me to say "No" to what I really wanted to see happen in my life.
You may be facing a really big problem or tough decision today. If you are, be of good courage.
Get clear about what you want to really see happen. Decide what your big "Yes!" is in this situation.
Then begin saying "Yes" to what you want to see and "No" to what you don't want to see.
How do you say "Yes" to your "Yes!" Decide what you need to get you to your "Yes!" Is it the courage to speak your truth? Is it taking radical action towards your dream? Is it finding people who will support and encourage you to reach for your dream? What do you need? Decide and go for it!
Stop letting other people talk you into a "No." Once you have settled on your "Yes!" stand firmly in it. Don't let other people make your decisions for you.
When you begin saying "Yes" to your "Yes!" life will open up for you. There will be a door or opportunity in the direction of your dream.
Today, I want to encourage you to step boldly through that door with a powerful "Yes" to your "Yes!"
And don't look back.
I am cheering for you!
P.S. I am on day 23 of my 40 Day Soul Fast from Dr. Cindy Trimm's book that takes you on a journey to discover and affirm your authentic life. There is nothing more powerful than learning how to Love and Live Your Unique. Follow my blog for daily posts about my journey.