Believe In Yourself

Each one of us goes through a personal search for more meaning and the best way is to begin by cultivating ourselves. I used to believe that we are supposed to give love and in return others would reciprocate. But I have grown to realize that is not always the case.

We must become impassioned, finding meaning and self-fulfillment in our own life's journey. A personal commitment to find life uniquely meaningful takes a certain kind of courage and guts. We must develop to be dependent on ourselves, and, if at all possible, not on others to provide or take care of our own happiness. We cannot and should not impose this on our families or relatives.

We have to be mature in handling the ups and downs of life. We will be challenged when we least expect it. So we have to be prepared by strengthening our inner resources. By facing and accepting reality, we know that horrible things do happen to good and innocent people. We learn through our own experiences that often what happens to us is not as important as how well we react and grow from what we experience.

We have to nurture ourselves each day so that we can respond to other people's needs, losses or failures in a helpful manner. One way I nurture myself is by making a "to do list" and try to achieve them.  I love to come home and work in my garden. I also have a small room I like to retreat to where I listen to music and read. I make time to do these things because they bring me grace.  My mood immediately elevates and, once relaxed, I am ready to enjoy whatever the evening activities may be. I know of others who spend the morning just watching television while sipping coffee. It is their way of relaxing and enjoying their "alone" time.

No one can give us these gifts of private time but ourselves. Take and embrace them. Make your own time as sacred as time spent with others.

Living in harmony with yourself and others requires gaining control over the things you  can change, focusing on positive things and  appreciating without feeling guilty. The important thing is to nurture your own soul so you avoid any degree of self-pity no matter how big your own problems may be.

When we discipline ourselves to be resilient and responsible in meeting and accepting our trials and challenges, facing  even the most difficult and challenging realities squarely, determined to be strong when we would otherwise be weak, we gain self-confidence. Security comes from knowing we can handle whatever cards are dealt us.

We have to firmly believe we can rise above any adversity.  Somehow we will be given the necessary strength. We just have to learn to do our best under any or all circumstances and never make any flimsy excuses. We must try to have a positive frame of mind toward ourselves. The key is to understand that when we love our life and work, we radiate this enthusiasm to others.

Everyone has a life to lead. Each of us has to do something we love, something creative and fun, and we have to serve others. For every choice we make, there is always a consequence. Never regret the choices and decisions you make.

In closing let me quote Dwight D. Eisenhower."Unless each day can be looked back upon by an individual as one in which he has had some fun, some joy, some real satisfaction, that day is a loss."