You Are Not Your Past
For me, the only service the past can do is to create a mindset of successful living. I used to be different. I used to beat myself up for the mistakes that I made, the people I hurt or, at a minimum, played the “if I knew then what I know now..” game. None of this was productive.
When I think of the past, I think of past success and recall the feelings that I had, that “winning feeling”. The funny thing is, when I think of my past success, they are virtually the same events as those I used to beat myself up for. That’s not to say that I was proud of myself for the negative results of my actions but rather, I began to focus on the successful aspects of those events. An “every cloud has a silver lining” outlook.
The difference wasn’t the events themselves but my perception of those events. I could choose to focus on the negative or the positive aspects. They are both there within all events. Now I’m grateful for it all. Beyond that, dwelling on what has been leaves no room for the only time you have and that is now. The past has made you who you are and prepared you for now. Live now and “leave the dead to bury their own dead”.
You Are Not The Opinion of Others
Everyone you meet will have a different opinion of who you are. It is important to remember that people are seeing you, as we see them, through their own “filters”. They will see you in a manner that fits into their self image. What they see is their opinion, not fact. You see them the same way.
Some time ago, my wife Andi and I were looking at a computer generated figurine that was spinning. If you looked at this figurine long enough, it would suddenly change directions and appear to spin in the opposite way. The interesting thing was that I was seeing it spin one direction and Andi was seeing it spin the other direction at exactly the same moment. We were looking at the same thing at the same time and we both saw something different.
One person can perceive you one way and another sees you completely differently. This is out of your control and is simply opinion. Whether it’s positive or negative, it’s just an opinion. As you know, everyone has one of those and they are all different. Don’t take them seriously and don’t be someone else’s opinion of you. Be unique, be yourself.
Helpful Affirmations
I like affirmations of self as they remind me of who I imagine myself being now. The following is my list that I read and meditate on everyday. I write them out regularly, this helps me to create an image of self. The image helps create feelings, feelings cause actions and actions create results.
I am ok with what happens. Events are transient and I am ok with what happens.
I am present to the task at hand with no self distraction
I don’t take myself too seriously
I live in acceptance of what is with no resistance
I create and focus on my goals by I am not my results. I am a spiritual being having a physical experience.
Create your own image and reinforce it to yourself daily. Take just a few minutes everyday in silence and become one with yourself. This has been the practice of the most balanced and successful people in history.
Balance comes from within.
Tags: life coaching, personal development, self image
June 15th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Every person out there has the potential for true individual greatness. Most however fall into the trap of normality instead.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Thank you for the comment!