The Power Within

At this time of the year when things get silly, fun, intense and often strenuous, it's easy to forget ourselves and let ourselves be caught up in the drama, fighting, and other stress.
I myself am very guilty of letting my emotions rule my actions and abandon responsinility for my choices and actions.

We all do it from time to time: someone close to us says or does something that totally throws us off balance and our only reaction is to react based entirely on raw emotion. We forget to think. Our mind leaves the equation and suddenly we have the pure anger, frustration, sadness and all the other many other emotions we feel.

I want to take this platform and opportunity to remind you that you are, at all times, the only person totally responsible for yourself. That isn't limited to just whether or not you have that extra brownie. It covers everything from what pants you wear (if any) to how you handle a real curve ball life throws your way.

Steven Conway, the brilliant man who gave us The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has this brilliant theory (although, if you put into practice you'll know how spot on he is) of being Reactive and Proactive. The theory of being at cause is as simple as this:

You have the choice to be Reactive, or Proactive. A Reactive person abdicates their personal responsibility and behaves entirely based on their raw and often intense emotions, positive or negative. a Proactive person uses their mind to consider their choices for behaving and handling their circumstance, and decides which option best suits their needs and purposes. For example, if you decide that today nothing could drag you down and make you unhappy, then someone telling you that are dumb, inadequate and obese leaves you with two choices: you can be angry, furious with them for saying such things to you and take a verbal swipe right back at them. This is the Reactive response. A Proactive response would involve considering your choices including the Reactive ones-and what purpose they serve; do they help you stay happy that day, or not? a Proactive response considers these and makes their choice of response accordingly.

If you think this sounds preposterous, try it.

Even someone doing hard time in prison has the choice in how they respond to their circumstances. Some will decide it is where they will die a slow death of the soul before their body fails them, others choose to join a gang ans find solace in their numbers. Yet more choose to religion for a new beginning. Again more choose a new beginning with opportunities for education and employment. Even someone is the most terrible of situations has the choice.
It is our personal power to choose what we want and need for ourselves.

I challenge each of you to try this. Embrace the power, feel it course through your veins, pulsating with potential.

You can do this!