The Risk of Truth

There comes a time when it is imperative that we really listen to everything we are telling ourselves. We have to decide if we are being honest with ourselves or if we are telling ourselves a little white lie. In my experience, I have found that when we do not tell ourselves or others the truth it is because we are fearful thinking the lie will be protecting the person or ourselves. Lately I have become aware of the ways I have not been honest with myself . Often it was blatant but other times, it is often so subtle it is hard to recognize.

My past was abusive so I always lied about my living circumstances, the amount of danger I was living in and how much fear I really had. One might say that it was justified but I continued it long after the abuse ended and into adulthood. I never told the truth to anyone about my life but that was not really the problem; I never told the truth to myself either. And those lies affected everything.

I eventually had to make peace not only with what happened but with the lies I had told myself. That is where the risk comes in...it is not easy to look inside and realize what I had told myself and realize where that had lead me. Although one day I realized I could no longer be dishonest with myself.

This is where the subtly comes in...it is sometimes so automatic we don't realize we are even doing it. Paula and I just finished the Stories of Hope program where we focused on seeing the light in others but more importantly about seeing it in ourselves. I think many of us are dishonest about that. If we see our deception to seeing our own light it bears some risk. That risk is about knowing our own truth and creating new paths to follow based on a new truth. With this knowledge of who we are, we can no longer stay on a path that limits our vision and our purpose; we must live out our purpose in the world. It is the light in ourselves and others that opens us to the great possibilities that are already there for each of us...we only have to tap into the energy of it to be in sync with our highest purpose.

I would ask each of you to consider looking at the story you are living out each and every day and be sure that it is based on your highest good. That is our true calling to risk what we truly believe and to trust the light that shines from within.

Blessings to you~

Sandy

Living Each Day

There is no question about it, the busyness of our lives today have taken center stage. How many people are trying to balance work, kids, volunteer commitments, as well as keeping groceries in the house and a clean clothes in the closet? We have not even added to that the stress of how we live our lives with the stress that comes from the uncertainty in our world today.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed with everything that has to be done, cared for, decided upon or watched over. Sometimes we can even feel like a victim of our own circumstances; a never ending cycle that keeps repeating itself despite our best efforts to change it. As this cycle continues it often begins to feel like there is no hope of breaking it, which chips away at our spirits and does not allow the best of ourselves to come out. So the question becomes, how do you begin to break this cycle?

As with any change in your life, the most critical part depends on how much you want the change to occur. It will take a conscious thought and effort to create the life you desire rather than to be at the mercy of your circumstances.

Making this change, means taking control of your thoughts because your thoughts direct your actions. If you can, right now stop and jot down what your thoughts are? Are your thoughts based on fear? Are you telling yourself that things won’t change anyway? Thoughts are so powerful that you are right whatever you think. If you think things will not get better, you are right they will not. If you think that you can make a change, you are also right because you will be able to make the change you want. Having a mindset that empowers you is the first step to moving into what you want more of in your daily life.

With a positive attitude in place, ask yourself these questions. What are the most important things I want to create in my life each day? Do I want to meet each day with stress and anxiety or peace and joy? Which activities feel like I “have to” do them and which ones bring me contentment? Being honest with yourself and your situation will help you define what it is you want. It requires looking within to uncover any beliefs that may be keeping you stuck in old patterns and agreeing to change them so you can move ahead.

Answering these questions will give you a place to start. The next step is to ask how. How can I make the things I want in my life be a priority? How can I reduce stress in even a small way? What small thing can I change today that will bring a welcome change?
Making a change is hard work and requires constant and consistent effort to make it happen. It takes time and often the results you desire do not come overnight, but know that every small change gives you confidence to create the life you want. The most important part of this article is that each one of us possesses amazing possibilities to live a life that nourishes our spirits and fills us with joy. Remember this is a journey that is unfolding so be kind and gentle with yourself and you move into your unlimited potential to create everything you want.

Sandy Thibault is an author, speaker and life coach. She is part owner in Burnsville Counseling and Healing Center and co-founder of the Institute for Peace and Joy. She can be contacted at 952-435-4144 or http://www.counselingandhealing.com