Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
Do you remember what the little choo-choo train said, as he slowly climbed the humongous hill? Here is a reminder: “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!”
He gave himself the first opportunity of positive gesture, until he got closer and closer to the top where he finally knew that the top of the hill in front of him was far less than the big drop mountain behind him. It was then that he changed it to, “I know I can, I know I can, I KNOW I can!”
Has 2018 been a year of challenge for you? This year, as you enter 2019, challenge yourself to a new venture, a new possibility or a new you.
Step out of the box you may have accepted for your life, or you feel you may have compromised in and choose to change. Don’t ‘bah humbug’ another year away!
Treat yourself to a great year of determination and power. Procrastination is easy. Action is difficult, but oh so worth every step.
Many years ago, I heard someone say, “Change isn’t change until you change.” I had to stop and ponder. I wanted lots of change at that time in my job, home and family.
I came to understand that if we do not change our mindset, our heart won’t change therefore everything around us cannot change. In other words, if we choose to change our thinking, then say with our lips exactly what we want and then move ourselves into the position of action towards that goal, change can’t help but happen. You might say, “it’s inevitable!”
It is said that if you do something for 21 days in a row, your body will adapt it as a habit.
Sadly though, this is why so many people get caught up with drugs, smoking, drinking and wrongful sexual acts. They think that just a little bit won’t hurt, or they’ll just do it once, but that is rarely the case. Usually what happens is they ultimately look in the mirror and realize that they don’t recognize the person looking back at them.
It’s a new year! Be like Ebenezer Scrooge and ditch the ‘bah humbug’ aside.
Let the real you that was created in you come on out and be seen, felt and celebrated!
A popular quote from Pinterest says, “Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new beginning.”
Isn’t that what Scrooge did? He saw the benefits of what he really wanted and then moved himself into that position and actually pushed himself ‘over the edge’ of personal victory.
T.S. Elliott once wrote; “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.” Your voice.
I’d like to add that this year’s words are standing at attention waiting for your commands!
Why procrastinate? Just imagine how it would feel to do that thing you have often thought about. Picture it in your mind. Cut out pictures and paste them on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or rearview mirror of your car. Don’t let yourself get away with waiting another year or more.
Added Socrates, “The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
How do you start? Here are some suggestions.
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Decide what you want.
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Consider the consequences and assess the obstacles.
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Take some time, as you may need to revise your plan as you go. The goal is to start a plan so write it down. Get a notebook just for your plan which will become your goals.
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Start a new routine.
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Share your goal with someone you can trust that will help you to reach it, not give you more excuses to avoid it.
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Stay focused. Don’t allow other people or things to steer you off course.
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Don’t use excuses. That can be a sneaky major downfall for anyone.
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Seek help if you need it. Don’t allow pride to keep you from what you want.
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Be patient. Give yourself a break if you goof up a little. But, don’t be too easy on yourself either. The old saying, ‘no pain no gain’ carries a lot of weight. Sacrifice.
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Celebrate! Give yourself prizes and gifts for achieving the small goals. Don’t wait until the end when you get to the carrot at the end of the stick. Still, make sure you do have a party when you accomplish your goal! Even if it’s just with you.
One of my favorite sayings is, “The best is yet to come!” And, one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Mark 11: 22-24 which reads, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, cast it into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore, I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
So, what will you be “saying” this year? What will you speak into being for 2019? What world are you going to create around you, your family, your friends or your work?
Remember, your words create the atmosphere you enter…whether good or bad. Choose good. Choose to change. Choose a new year for you. You’ll be ever so glad that you did, and I’ll be rooting for you all the way! “I KNOW you can, I know YOU can, I know you CAN!”
