Positive Thoughts on Life

Alternate Title: Your Life is Already Great!

I was listening to a friend talk about her finances as she passionately described the kind of life she wanted to lead. Her face lit up when talking about her desires and she had a solid grasp of a good business plan. Then, in a flash, her body tensed up and she abruptly said, "But, I am newly single, my house has dropped in value, I am paying off student loans, and I am getting worked to death at my day job! My life is a mess!"

I have walked that same life path and I completely understood her fear. I had had days in my past when I, too, felt that my life was starting to resemble a hamster's, running on its squeaky metal wheel, hour after hour, night after night. All that I was working for seemed to be going to paying off past decisions. It didn't feel that anything was going towards my future. In those times, what lurked in the dark corner of my mind was the doubt in my ability to have a good life and to get what I wanted. If my present was devoted to paying off my past, then I didn't feel confident that I could accomplish my goals and live the life of my dreams. I understood what my friend was talking about and the struggles she was facing.

Looking back, that time in my life was actually one of life's great gifts. It was a true joy to have been able to experience so many great things: a new home, graduating school, my first "career" job, and becoming a true adult. I would take long walks on the beach at night to ground myself in what was real. The constant rolling of the waves reminded me of what was constant in my life. Happiness, family, friends, laughter, and the sweet, simple pleasure of being alive were the pillars of my life. Anything negative was not real; it would dissolve just like the sea into the soft sand. My connection to the world outside of my little life would get cleansed and strengthened.

Would my life be better now if I had made different decisions in my past? I will never know. But, I do know that I can handle whatever comes my way and that my life is as good as I decide that it is. Remember, we are never "done"; we never stop growing,learning and evolving. To say that your life has turned out to be a mess, is to only look at a miniscule portion of your life. The view point lacks totality and completeness. The only day your life "turns out" is the day you die. Every day up until then, your life is still in the making.

You don't have to worry about whether or not you are living the "right" life because your life will continue to evolve. Since life keeps on going, maintain a balanced perspective. The way my logic works, if I can't ever really receive a final evaluation on my life, then I might as well have fun and celebrate how great it already is.

To make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the button below:

Return to Shifts Happen from Positive Thoughts on Life