To Step Back Gently is One of the Keys to Experiencing Peace in a Beautiful Life
I was an easily angered man for much of my life. Don't let myself fool me, I still am actually. Since June 6, 2022 I have been working hard to make changes to the way I respond to life's often abrupt and disappointing unexpectations. In moments of personal disapproval, I have learned to step back gently is one of the keys to experiencing peace in a beautiful life.
Step Back Gently
I recently indulged myself in an extracurricular activity. My purpose was two-fold:
1. To enhance the quality of my life;
2. To share my experience and results with others.
This is supposed to be fun. Truth be told, I am struggling with that a little. I'm not having fun right now. Most likely because I in only just past the introductory period and only into the first few chapters of the learning curve. This is a necessary and proper place to be. This place is a place of change beyond a startup point where courage allowed one to take action. Now, I'm in the thick of it. The train is rolling, the ship has set sail, and the plane has left the runway. To turn back would mean something was broken and an emergency was imminent. Again, don't let me fool me. Pain does not mean something is broken or that one is in a state of emergency.
During the process on change, things are going to happen that may be disapproving, paining, unacceptable and sometimes apparently disastrous. Embrace those changes. These are brand new feelings never felt before. The adverse reactions will not last long. At every step of the way, become a master of that step. Make it a sport or a dance with the skill builders and attributes of a certain destiny you are becoming.
When My 1% Brain Speaks
When my brain speaks, the 1% loud backside of brain tells me I am failing, I am unworthy of pursuit, can never achieve. "Look how many times you tried and didn't do the thing. You failed. Give up now while you can. Stop trying." Problem is that side of my brain doesn't finish the sentences. Or it does finish the sentences and I stop listening after the first two or three words. For example, "You failed to run when instead you sat too soon." Or another example, "Stop trying for a few minutes. Reassess the process, redirect your thinking, rehearse the steps in your head, and let's give it another go." Maybe it isn't the 1% side speaking after all. Perhaps I am just simply not listening and paying attention.
What Can I Do About That?
It's OK, Ryan, you don't have to force yourself to do something you don't want to do, or aren't ready to do.
Pause.
Step back.
Step back gently.
Get yourself into a calm and attentive state, then proceed to reviewing and rehearsing the process before making another attempt.
Listen to the whole other side of my brain, the" 99% side." It is saying, "Look at how far you've come in so little time. That's wonderful, man! That is something to be proud of! Raise your own multicolored flag and accept, appreciate and be grateful for what God gave you. You weren't given that light to hide it under a rock. Let it shine for all the world to see! And that includes my world, too.
Be gentle and be easy on yourself. You have been blessed with a gift of courage. Words cannot begin to describe what that means. Remember, the Higher Power and Master or your universe doesn't give more than we can handle. If you have been given "much," embrace it! God sent it. If God believes in you, don't you think you should believe in you, too? 🤷🏼♂️🙂
I love you, Ryan. You are an amazing person. Nobody can take that from you, not even you can take that from you.
John 10:27-30
Beautiful