At one time, when I was living with chronic pain from arthritis, life was very challenging. I’d had one joint replaced, needed three others replaced, and still the arthritis continued to move through all of my body. I had gone the medical route, the alternative energy healing route, and the diet route, all without much success. I knew I could be defeated by pain and allow it to determine how I live my life, or, I could be cheerful and do the best I can. I chose to be cheerful.
I know that whenever I accept 100% responsibility for my life miracles happen. I know some people feel that they just need to ask for what they want, then hand it over to God, and there are times when you have no other choice but to do this. However, most of the time you need to do your bit as well.
For many people problems are the focal point of all of their conversations. If you want your life to change, you need to give up your story. Some people think they are positive, yet they share their story at every opportunity. They will tell you why their marriage broke down. How they lost or hate their job. About their struggles with money. They put labels upon themselves such as describing themselves as divorced, or a single parent.
There is a fable about a monk who hands a man a cup and starts to pour tea into it. When the cup is full the monk keeps pouring until the tea spills onto the floor and soaks the man’s feet. When the man asks the monk what he is doing the monk replies, ‘This cup is just like your mind. It is filled with so many thoughts that there is no room for anything else. You need to empty your mind first before you can put more into it.’
Telling your story is a habit. When you want to change a habit you need to have another habit to replace it with. So you need to be willing to shift your thoughts and words onto what you want to create, that could be a loving relationship, your ideal work, or freedom from money worries. You need to place reminders around you of what is most important, a journal or vision board can serve this purpose. Or, you could listen to inspirational audios while you drive or read motivational books.
Words have power. Your thoughts and words influence how you feel. They can uplift or hurt another. They can inspire. Create positive change. Or, they can damage. The throwaway remark that you make without consciously thinking about it can make life harder for you.
David Hawkins says, ‘Live your life like a prayer’. You do that by accepting 100% responsibility for where you place your attention. Be grateful for the blessings you have. Ask for help. Give as much as you can. Become someone you admire.
Since I have started living my life like a prayer my arthritis has improved. It hasn’t gone completely yet but I no longer live with chronic pain and I am much more active, and for that I am grateful.
There is no formula that will protect you from adversity, but the above formula ensures you can lead a full, meaningful life regardless of what happens to you.