Previously Posted November 2016

Do you want to get up every morning, look into the mirror, smile, and shout out your YES! for the day?
Do you wonder why that is not happening now?
What area in your life do you need a breakthrough?

This sounds like a loaded question!  The question could almost be:  what areas in your life do you not need a breakthrough?
What do I mean by a breakthrough?  Those “aha” moments that stop us in our tracks.  Those moments where we feel an internal warmth or sigh because we recognize (and admit) the truth of the matter.  Those moments where we realize it is time to acknowledge an experience, a thought, a knowing, that we have previously not been ready to address.

Since our lives are organic, constantly evolving and ever changing, we have continual breakthroughs.  My guess is that we don’t recognize them as such.  When I was driving the other day, someone moved from one lane to another, causing me to quickly brake on the highway.  My “aha” moment was when I recognized that I didn’t fly off the handle when he cut me off.  Instead, I braked and let him move on.  My blood pressure didn’t go up; I didn’t have to apologize (even to myself) for using inappropriate adjectives to describe a fellow driver.  You probably can see what previous history has been!  The breakthrough I recognized was that I was so much calmer driving in traffic and witnessing other drivers who may, perhaps, feel their time is more valuable than mine.  To him, I am guessing he thought it was (purely a guess).  Another thought, maybe he missed his calling and sees the highway as his personal racetrack, always trying to come in first place. J  I do not know his story; I chose to not judge his choices, and I didn’t let his choice rattle me.  It is a great feeling.

One of my clients had an amazing breakthrough as she visited with her family this weekend over Thanksgiving.  She sent me a note explaining that she enjoyed her time celebrating with her family and felt no negative energy.  This was a first for her in a long time.  Her breakthrough came when she realized she was carrying family burdens that were not hers to carry.  She took responsibility for herself and only herself.  She recognized that she cannot control what people think and how they react, fully recognizing how she reacted to all of it is what makes the difference for her.  She was freed from that burden that was not hers to carry anyway.  It was very empowering for her to know she actively made the choice to stay on higher ground and not buy into the negativity.

In my personal life as well as speaking and coaching, I find that carrying everyone’s burdens is one of the biggest factors holding us back from joy.  The greatest breakthroughs come when we truly acknowledge our “stuff” and then deal with it in a healthy manner.  All the while, praying for the people in our lives to seek to understand and put to rest whatever it is that is holding them back from finding their true happiness.

As we are in full swing of the season which can sometimes be stressful and exhausting, be kind to yourself.  Take time to work on yourself.  Seek opportunities to experience breakthroughs which will change your life to one of pure joy.  Yes, you can do it.  I know because I did it!