If Only
It's the oldest trick in the book.
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| Photo By: Jeff Van Campen |
"If only I had (fill in the blank), then I could be happy."
More money. Better friends. A bigger house. A nicer car. A boss who wasn't such a jerk. Kinder neighbors. The list is endless - and for a very good reason.
None of those external things can ever fix the real problem. The one in the mirror.
By looking outward, by constantly and exclusively blaming other people or things or circumstances for your troubles, you're only delaying the chance for any real, meaningful, lasting improvement and growth.
Your biggest issue - and, at the same time, your biggest chance to get lifted up to a better life - is you. People typically don't like to hear this sort of truth-telling. It's so much easier to point fingers, cast blame, and complain about the unfairness of it all.
Well, here's some more tough love - life's not fair. But when you take personal responsibility for your actions, your attitude, your confidence, your willingness to sacrifice for other people's benefit, and your decision to take control of your own story, life doesn't need to be "fair" anymore.
Instead, it can become a place where you can at last be comfortable in your own skin. Where the issue of "fairness" becomes a non-issue, because fairness by its very definition requires that you constantly compare yourself with others. There's no need for that. There's no benefit to that. There's no time for that.
Take stock of your strengths, and build on them. Appreciate the sources of love and hope and joy in your life, and cherish and protect them. See what - or who - is dragging you down, and get away from them. Life's too short to be anything but happy.
The person in the mirror would agree. Have an honest talk with him or her. You'll see. Then adopt the changes to make and keep that happiness front and center in this new year.
Be Well,
~Eric
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