Day 52 in Gratitude

The problems you think you have in your life are there because you think you have problems in your life. Read that again and let it really sit in your belly for a moment. The problems you think you have in your life are there because you think you have problems in your life.

Driving to work this morning something hit me - my life is what it is because of the choices that I've made. My life is exactly a mirror image of what I have created. I take full responsibility - I have no other choice.

When you look back on your life there will be things you will regret. Did you make the wrong choice? No, there are no wrong choices, we make the best decision for ourselves at that particular moment. Life is full of choices:
1. Am I going to buy the practical car or the fast, shiny car?
2. Shall I go to college or get a job?
3. Do I stay or should I go?

Whatever choice you make is the only one you could make at that time. Otherwise you would have made a different one. Everything we do we choose. So, what is there to regret? You are the person you chose to be.

This is a simple yet difficult lesson to learn. Blaming others is easy. Blaming in general is easy - 'it's my parents fault,' 'it's the economy,' 'it's the neighborhood I grew up in,' 'I'm not smart enough,' 'have you met my family?' The list goes on and on. In reality, the only person making the choices that shapes your life is you.

I play it safe. I'm fairly practical. I don't take much risk. If I have a decision that I feel is a major life choice, I weigh the odds. I make a list of pros and cons, I talk to friends, I meditate on it - silly, really. Life is all about falling on your face, getting back up and jumping in again. I am a work in progress.

I am grateful for these life lessons, what I decide to do with this knowledge is my choice. Hmmmm....

What are you grateful for?

Day 26 in Gratitude

Self-Development is taking personal responsibility for one's own learning and development through a process of assessment, reflection, and taking action. The first tenant of positive self development is continuous learning. We don't exist in a vacuum, and we are constantly shaping and being shaped by our environment. That was very clear to me today. In my mind, I am poised, confident, calm, keep a positive attitude and stay focused. In reality, I am subject to my emotions, others moods, and the overall atmosphere of the office environment just like everyone else. In a nutshell, I saw and heard myself go down the very path that I try so desperately to stay off of. The dreaded NEGATIVITY PATH! Driving home going over the events of the day I made a pact to myself that the next time a situation arises, I will stop, take a deep breath and tell myself to look at the situation from a new and positive direction. Today, I am grateful that I am on a path of self awareness and also that I realize I am a work in progress.

I have nothing but respect for everyone I work with. I work with a group of creatives and they never cease to amaze me. The process in which they develop and design product is awe-inspiring. I am grateful to be working with such talented individuals.

I had a wonderful evening talking with a young woman who has decided to take her life into her own hands and develop and action plan to add passion and clarity to her life. I can only hope that I will keep her focused and add inspiration to her growth and development process. I am thankful to be a part of this wonderful process.

What are you grateful for?