Don't Forget the Person You Have Been

We have all had moments when we've done something extraordinary. This could have been reaching a difficult goal, or going above and beyond in personal or professional life when the need was required. It may have just been doing something that proved we had more courage and were more capable than we thought we were. It's in these moments that we feel proud, accomplished, and maybe a little bit invincible! In these moments we feel like anything is possible and there is no task that can't be accomplished with the right amount of focus and effort. The problem for many of us is that this feeling, and the exceptional behavior that caused it, usually do not last. These moments, while impressive, are typically the exception and not the norm. We return to our baseline behavior, whatever that may be, and there may be a long period of time before that exceptional type of behavior or action returns. Sometimes we can forget entirely that we were a Badass once!

If there are times when you are disappointed with your life, or are allowing the situation, environment, other people, and especially your own negative thoughts dominate your outlook; remember the time that you accomplished that challenging goal, or stepped up and did a great deed when no one else would. Remember the time that you went out of your way to help someone in need. Remember the time that you made it through a horrible period in your life that you thought you would never recover from. You're still here, and if you can make it through that, then you can make it through this. Remember a great love you've had (or have) and how privileged and lucky you were to have it. Remember the friends you've made, the ground you've covered, and all of the things that you've fought through and fought for in life. Remember the time when you lived your life passionately and truly without reservation or inhibition, because that can take the most courage of all.

These are the types of things that I say to myself when I feel like I'm not doing a good enough job of steering my life in the direction I want it to go. I must be constantly reminded that I am making progress and that change takes time because it is a transition in our thinking and actions, and old habits and ways of thinking die hard. I still have hesitations and relapses into old thinking patterns that are based on fear and uncertainty of the future. If you are struggling to make some large changes in your life, know that you are not alone. Maybe you can relate to one of the examples above and are remembering who you really are. If so, don't forget! Keep that thought firmly in your mind as you tackle whatever goal it is you're wanting to accomplish. I'll do the same and see you at the finish line.