Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 1:01am
Be true to yourself
Column: Unclutter Your Life
All of us have moments when we find ourselves at a crossroads and we're not certain which path to take. We may turn to family or friends for their thoughts and ideas. This is good if what you're doing is looking for something akin to brainstorming for things to consider. Some who are well-meaning may say, "Let me tell you what you ought to do," or they use the dreaded word "should." When this happens, nod politely, but stay true to yourself.
Crossroads are often opportunities to aim at the target we desire to make our reality, even if it's just to do something different and we aren't quite sure what yet. That happens. Such times may cause anxiety, but that's usually because somewhere at the back of our mind or deep in our heart, we wonder, "Can or should I really go for it?"
If you have a dream and you share it with others, you risk hearing opinions that fall anywhere on the gradient between highly useful and not at all useful. Nor can you let anything anyone says cause you to question your self-worth or the worth of your dream or goal. Not everyone will share your enthusiasm, because it's your dream, after all, not theirs. Perhaps they may even comment because something about what you're doing or aiming for triggers a fear within them.
You cannot live your life trying to mold yourself to opinions or expectations of others. They may be happy if you do, but you'll be miserable. I caught the tail-end of a movie called "The Movie Hero." A dialogue line I found meaningful was "You can either die trying or die wishing you had."
It's best to ignore anyone who believes you can't get there from here. There's always a way, whether it's a metaphorical jet, boat, car or your feet. If you have a dream, don't just wish it, intend it. Commit, be flexible, and stay true to yourself.
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Joyce Shafer is a life empowerment coach and author of "I Don't Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say," as well as "How to Have What You Really Want," and contributor of articles to various publications. She has an eclectic background and focuses on learning, growing and sharing information at every opportunity. She can be emailed at {email jls1422@yahoo.com}jls1422@yahoo.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Joyce Shafer.
Crossroads are often opportunities to aim at the target we desire to make our reality, even if it's just to do something different and we aren't quite sure what yet. That happens. Such times may cause anxiety, but that's usually because somewhere at the back of our mind or deep in our heart, we wonder, "Can or should I really go for it?"
If you have a dream and you share it with others, you risk hearing opinions that fall anywhere on the gradient between highly useful and not at all useful. Nor can you let anything anyone says cause you to question your self-worth or the worth of your dream or goal. Not everyone will share your enthusiasm, because it's your dream, after all, not theirs. Perhaps they may even comment because something about what you're doing or aiming for triggers a fear within them.
You cannot live your life trying to mold yourself to opinions or expectations of others. They may be happy if you do, but you'll be miserable. I caught the tail-end of a movie called "The Movie Hero." A dialogue line I found meaningful was "You can either die trying or die wishing you had."
It's best to ignore anyone who believes you can't get there from here. There's always a way, whether it's a metaphorical jet, boat, car or your feet. If you have a dream, don't just wish it, intend it. Commit, be flexible, and stay true to yourself.
— — —
Joyce Shafer is a life empowerment coach and author of "I Don't Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say," as well as "How to Have What You Really Want," and contributor of articles to various publications. She has an eclectic background and focuses on learning, growing and sharing information at every opportunity. She can be emailed at {email jls1422@yahoo.com}jls1422@yahoo.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Joyce Shafer.