This weekend I went to a seminar in Dallas, and what I heard and am applying has totally changed my life! I've heard this information before, read it in books, heard it in seminars, etc... but this time is different. I either was ready to hear it, or it was the way he shared the information, or maybe even both... but this time I get it!
He was talking about how we are in control of our emotions if we want to be. He used this example. Sit like someone who is sad and depressed. We all slumped down a bit and heads droops. Now, sit like someone who is confident, excited and on fire! We all sat up straight, shoulders back, leaning forward a bit.... Now, try to be sad and depressed sitting like that. Can't do it. It's like being sad when you are laughing. Can't do it. Granted, you can be sad AFTER and BEFORE laughing, but while you are laughing, it takes your whole mind and transforms it.
His point was this - when you are wanting to relate to the most people, act like the people you want to meet - confident, in control and happy. How do you do that when you don't "feel" that way? Stand up straight, shoulders back, head up and smile - walk 100 feet, and see how it is - you will notice the difference right away. You may have to make a conscious effort to do this - almost moment by moment sometimes, but the effort is well worth it. You will change your thinking from the outside in. Change your thinking, change your life.
The other thing that really struck me is that I deserve it! Now, I'm a Dave Ramsey fan, and he is famous for saying - you DO NOT deserve it if you haven't worked for it! In debt? Then you DON'T deserve that latte, pedicure, golf club or whatever you are wanting to spend $$ on when you have debt. And I wholeheartedly agree. However, let me share with you this process I'm going through and how it's changed my thinking already (less than 48 hours since I've heard and accepted it!)
The speaker shared an example of changing our self image. He said - if I gave you a $150K raise tomorrow, you would immediately get a new car, perhaps a new house, new clothes, etc. That raise would, in effect, change our self image. If HE can change our self image by giving us a raise, WE can change our self image by changing out thinking! Now mind you, I've READ this many many times in numerous books, but THIS time, for whatever reason, I got it. I realized that it's true - I live where and how I live, because this is what I believe I deserve. I believe I deserve a Honda accord and Saturn SC2. I deserve a modest lovely home in a decent neighborhood. I deserve a husband who loves and treasures me. I deserve to have some money in the bank, and to be able to give small amounts to charity. I believe I deserve to live a good life. And I do live a good life.
Then I looked at the things I would like to change about my life - my health, my weight, my clutter. Those are the three big things. And I thought - do I really believe I deserve to be fully healthy? No, because I don't do the things I need to do to make it happen (I have Type 2 diabetes controlled with pills). Do I believe I deserve to be fit and shapely? No, I didn't. Do I believe I deserve to live in a clutter free, organized, peaceful environment? Reality was, no, I didn't. Clutter is my "comfort zone." It's not peaceful, but it is what I'm used to, and it's what feels "normal" to me. So when something is clutter free, my subconscious will work to "fix" it for me by having me pile things on it. Happens every time we clear off a space - within a few days, it will be back to clutter.
So you know what? I started, right then and there Saturday afternoon, telling myself I DESERVE IT! I DESERVE to be healthy and fit! I DESERVE to live in a peaceful organized clutter free home! Then, I got bold and went even bigger! I DESERVE to live life with gusto! I DESERVE to live an enthusiastic life! I DESERVE to EXPERIENCE all life has to offer! I DESERVE to drive a Jaguar Ftype... I DESERVE to live in a big beautiful home on the water with lots of guest rooms so we can have many friends over! I DESERVE to have thousands in the bank and reserve! I DESERVE to give $THOUSANDS$ monthly to those in need! I DESERVE to spoil my family and friends with trips and toys! U DESERVE to travel first class! I deserve all of this and more! And so do you!
So I've been struggling a little with this - as I'm saying it, I'm noticing a physical difference in my posture and my thought process immediately. But I'm also thinking, it seems so selfish to say I DESERVE this stuff.... then this morning it finally clicked.
By changing my words, I'm changing my thinking. By changing my thinking about what my reality is, I'm changing my expectation of myself. By changing my expectation of myself, I'm changing my actions to be in accordance with my expectation of myself. And by changing my actions, I'm changing the course of my life. <3 font="" nbsp="">
I've read this before, heck, this is what John Maxwell's book Thinking for a Change is all about if I remember right, but for whatever reason, SATURDAY was the day I was ready to hear it! And APPLY it! It's awesome!
I'm working on how to make sure I continue on this path... I've done this before -had a revelation, then within a few weeks, I'm back into my old comfortable habits. So I'm working on how to make this a permanent change in my life - of expecting great things of myself, because the biggest thing I've come away with is, God doesn't just want us to live a good life, He wants us to live a GREAT life! He has designed us for greatness! He has amazing things he wants to do through us, if we will only get our limits off ourselves! He loves us so much and wants to use us to touch thousands and thousands of lives! The best part is, this isn't just for ME... this applies to ALL of us! YOU TOO! What have you been accepting that you deserve... but you really deserve the BEST God has for you!
