Self Improvement Articles

When Life Does What Life Does
by Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC

Have you ever noticed that no matter how good you are at planning, no matter how you try to control outcomes, unexpected things occur anyway?

What happens to you when the unexpected shows up? How do you react? How do you relate to the issue?

This is a key question because contrary to what many of us believe, the event is not the issue. How you relate to yourself while you go through the issue IS the issue!

We're all born, we live, we sleep, we eat, we breathe, we die. It's the same for everyone. So why don't we experience life the same? How is it we react differently to situations? Have you ever noticed that in a crisis, some people become assertive, others mellow, some hysterical, and some calm and focused, some judgmental, others grateful? The difference in these outward reactions is the result of our own internal process.

Look at it this way. If we have a filter that says life is against us and we're a victim, then we will tend to be worn down and diminished by life. However, when we choose to embrace the belief that life is for us, that the Universe is beneficent, that everything that happens serves a purpose in our learning, growth and upliftment, then initiative, empowerment, and upliftment naturally follow.

With this attitude we will begin to see that there is a gift, a blessing, a greater purpose. There is something for us to discover, uncover, learn. When we are thrown out of balance, we can still move back into our life, from the attitude of participation, gratitude, wonderment, curiosity and discovery. As soon as we choose into this perspective, our attitude automatically shifts from upset to one of expansion, creativity and resourcefulness!

That doesn't mean our tire won't go flat, or we won't ever get sick, or the people we love won't die. It doesn't mean that life won't keep doing what life does. It simply means that how you relate to your life, well, that is your life.

How you relate to your life will either bring you down, or it will empower you, deepen you, expand you and bring you richness.

That's your choice. You can't control what life brings to you. You can influence it. You can use the principle of attraction and invite into your life things that you'd like to experience. You can do the best you can, yet still things happen that are outside your domain of influence.

When life does what life does, what CHOICE will you make?

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Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC, is the founder of Living by Design. Since 1986, Leslie has supported thousands of people in creating greater harmony and fulfillment in their lives while achieving their personal and professional best. Through personal and professional coaching, workshops, and print articles, she assists people to produce results, discover their value and realize their dreams. She also publishes a free bi-monthly newsletter designed to motivate and inspire people to live a life of their own design  http://www.living-bydesign.com for more info. 

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