Gather Your Direction
**Friends, I'm going to briefly jump in here ahead of what I have written for you today. I have had conversations with a handful of readers, respectfully asking me, “where do you get your material for your weekly column. Does it come from a marketing service?” And while it is, I think, a compliment indicating the content is of value, I must tell you, EVERY WORD of my weekly column comes to you from my heart. I write every inch of it. (I mean really can't you just hear me saying these things? And whopping you upside the head with some of it?) Bringing this to you every week has been a joy for me, and I will continue to do so. It represents a connection to you that I hold dear. A time to sit and write you a note of encouragement, challenge, vulnerability and acceptance from my daily walks through all of it. I am privileged to have you in our community and journey together. Thank you dearly for all of your encouragement. Your responses to various columns have been heartfelt and I am grateful. Just know you are reading the imprints of my heart here, not a paid-for marketing piece. That said, feel free to share with those you care for in your life. All are welcome in our tribe. Now back to the regularly scheduled column**
What does it take to claim the life you’ve always wanted? I’ll give you a hint, it doesn’t happen by accident. Nope.
Many people wait for permission to think and own those deliciously scary things they don’t dare believe. They look for evidence to dare to dream their dreams to create their happiness.
I don’t know about you, but I am tired of politics, pandemic, economy, war and other such misery trying to muscle in on my sense of wellbeing. It takes purpose and intentional effort to be the winner of your happiness. There are thieves lurking everywhere. But we have choices here, which is the best news ever.
So here’s what I’ve done. I’ve created a compelling future. I value the tomorrow I am creating way more than the pain available today. My emotional home is tidy. I don’t need to be in 100% agreement about politics, see the news or listen to a sermon. It’s not about that. For me there is no “agree or be wrong” attitude. I love to know why and how people form opinions, it is fascinating to me. It helps me to understand. Not necessarily agree, although I have changed my thinking from time to time as a result of learning a new viewpoint.
Every season in life will have challenges and blessings. We get tripped up when we insist the challenges shouldn’t be there, but it’s part of the deal. Emotions that create pain are designed to make you change. And coming together because we belong to each other instead of siloed righteousness just makes more sense to me. It’s what real leaders do. And I am the leader of my thoughts.
So going forward my direction is in momentum and progress. It is in feeding my mind with information that grows my perspective and ability to empathize and understand. Remember angry people find a way to be angry, sad people find a way to be sad, and caring people find a way to be caring. It’s always been that way.
The other day I read this beautiful post from a dad who lost his little boy 10 years ago to cancer. In order to keep Luke’s brave memory alive he talks about the lessons he learned while saying goodbye to his son, this one hit me,
“Cherish the time you have with those you love. How is it that our differences, disagreements, political persuasions, and religious and cultural norms divide us so deeply and cause so much hurt? Those things seem so insignificant and meaningless when we hug someone for the last time. Our time with each other is so so special - and may be our last. Let’s honor them for who they are, not who we want them to be. Live fully and love wastefully. "🐸
Claim your happy life, and let the other stuff go. Let people be wrong about you. There is no room for the sad /unfair/ disappointed narrative in your new story. Let me help you get it going!
Schedule a free mini private session here.
Grateful for you,
Anne