Monday, April 29, 2013

How to Find Happiness A-Z: Y

By C. Clark via wikimedia commons
One of my favorite quotes comes from Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. ... We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ... Your playing small does not serve the world ... as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."


YOU.


You are awesome. We've chatted about this is past posts, but my point here is that you are powerful. You make your own reality--or that was my mantra throughout high school. Sure, things may happen that stand in your way, but you have the power to overcome all odds. More importantly, only you can change what isn't working in your life--whether that be by merely amending your attitude, or stepping up and making a plan to become your ideal self.

Image courtesy of Davebold370
When I was 14, I realized there were a number of things I didn't like about me. More importantly, I had a vision of who I wanted to become one day. With that serious goal in mind, I made a list of attributes I needed to develop, and one by one, worked to integrate them. I spent months focusing on just one aspect or habit until it was solid, and then I moved on down the list. Journaling was one of those. Speaking kindly to my siblings was another. Learning how to raise and teach children also made the list. When I look back on my teen years, I am immensely grateful for adult friends and leaders who set an amazing example and encouraged me to become my best self.

We, each of us, have figurative "elephants" to eat. Life may be so overwhelming we don't know where to start or even feel powerless and drowning in the implications of our reality. My advise to you is to pick one thing--just one--whether it be exercising, learning to smile more, reading for fun, organizing, etc, and focus. Use that divinely given power, afford yourself time and sufficient forgiveness for failure, and go forward. Set a goal. Write it on a calendar. Check in with yourself daily and see how you're doing. You'll be amazed at how truly powerful you are.  

What are your goals for this year?

34 comments:

  1. It's awesome that you had such insight into yourself back then. I was somewhat like that, too. My family life, although secure, wasn't the best due to my Mom's several illnesses. I think bettering myself was a distraction - ended being a healthy distraction.

    My goals for this year: to give myself permission to succeed and push myself to the limits. :)

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    1. Awesome. I love it when people take tough experiences and use them for growth.

      I'll be cheering you on this year!

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  2. i really liked this crystal--i think you are right about that being one of our biggest fears---sometimes it's just easier to minimize ourselves, just to get along

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    1. So true--but the easy route isn't usually the right one. =)

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  3. My one goal for this year was to love myself for who I am. I have fought with my weight my entire life and I finally decided to love myself whatever size I am.
    tm

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    1. Super awesome. I think that's one every woman needs to work on, eh?

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  4. What a beautiful blog! Just discovering your blog for the first time as I make my way through the A-Z Challenge. Please check us out and sign up to follow if you like what you see. Juliet atCity Muse Country Muse

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    1. Welcome, Juliet! So great to meet new friends. =)

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  5. What I love about this is that you saw in yourself not only what you wanted to become, but how to become it. That is amazing. And to figure out how to do it early in life is just incredible. Great job.

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    1. --Did it while I was young enough that I had the energy, eh? Lots of credit goes to my parents, and the youth leaders who directed activities/lessons twice a week.

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  6. I wish I had such focus back then, but I'm happy I at least have some of that now. :) There are so many things I'd like to do, but picking and choosing a few at a time is key, otherwise all that energy and attention gets diluted.

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    1. Exactly: focus and allow ourselves to only worry about one thing at a time. =)

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  7. I wrote a poem once about being trapped in my life and always being stuck in the same place wearing the same old clothes. It was not long after that when I realized it was a choice. I gathered my courage and moved on. It didn't happen overnight but today, I am never trapped by any situation where I don't want to be. I am free to be me. Great post letting others know that making changes is something we all can do.

    http://completelycalifornia.blogspot.com/

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    1. That's so awesome, Ann. Thank you for sharing that. I've been there too, feeling powerless, thinking there's no way out. I think everyone hits that point in their journey.

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  8. Oh my goodness Crystal this is an absolutely beautiful piece!! True love starts from within doesn't it?

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  9. I'm one of those still trying, but almost there loving my whole self. I need to make a list and work on it. Thank you! (:

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    1. I personally think everyone needs a list--as long as they don't get overwhelmed by the length. ;) Great to "see" you, Fida!

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  10. One thing at a day, one day at a time, always good advice. I've never understood people who felt they weren't in control of themselves, that things...just happened. We do many things in life that sabotage our own efforts. People who say they have too much to do, are too stress do things to themselves that make life more complicated then it needs to be. Good post.
    A-Z challenge

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    1. Sandy, wow. That's amazing. You must have had some incredible parents who helped instill in you a sense of empowerment.

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  11. You were incredibly focused as a teenager. I don't even know if I'm that focused now.

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    1. LOL. I think I was more focused as a teenager than I am now. Too many details these days. =)

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  12. Wow! I'm impressed that you had that much self-awareness as a teenager. I think I was still floundering around trying to figure out who I was until I was about thirty.... In fact, I may still be doing that.

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    1. Well, since we're constantly defining who we are, I'd say that's acceptable. ;)

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  13. My teenage years were a conundrum, so glad to have grown out of it. Your post if wonderful, and insightful.

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    1. I'm glad you've grown out of it too. That can definitely be a confusing time of life, eh?

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  14. Very nice post today, Crystal. It's important to keep what you've written in mind. We so easily slip into criticizing ourselves.

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    1. I think that criticism is a woman's default inner record. It definitely takes some battling to shut it up, eh?

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  15. Absolutely a beautiful piece, Crystal. I am going to print and frame it - and hang on the wall among my son works in his room. Such positive affirmation! Such uplifting thought. Thank "you" Crystal.

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  16. Me?? I'm awesome????
    Hey! "Takes One to Know One!"
    love & love,
    -g-

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  17. This is a theme I have seen around blogland lately, and I think it is one that I have been needing to hear for a while. I do get caught up in the hard things in my life right now and have a hard time focusing on the things I can change, instead of the things I can't. I have let it embitter me and change me, and I am not fond of the person I have become. I really need to improve on that front. Thank you for the gentle reminder, Crystal. You are a true friend.

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Hit me with your cheese!