"Storybook happiness involves every form of pleasant thumb-twiddling; true happiness involves the full use of one's powers and talents." -- John W. Gardner
Today, I want you to think about pushing yourself past your comfort zone. A great book to read on this subject is Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. If life were meant to be easy, there'd be no reason to do anything. Life would just be boring. Believe me, I understand, there are some days that are so chaotic and overwhelming that you'd TAKE boring! LOL But think about it, really be honest with yourself...how many boring days could you take before losing your mind? I bet you that after a month you'd go crazy! I remember when I was laid off from my Manhattan job...I spent the first few days lying around, collecting unemployment, and polishing my resume. Yes, I made telephone calls looking for work, thankfully I had professional connections (and they eventually led me to a job). At first, I was relieved. Every day was pretty easy without having a boss hovering over me or a deadline stressing me out. I could watch TV. I could take a bath and read a book without interruption. As Borat says, "Very nice!"
Two weeks later I was stir crazy.
Anyway, you could say I was pretty happy in the beginning. I sat around twiddling my thumbs, trying to be content in the moment. I had enough connections to get another job. I KNEW it would happnen. But I just didn't know what was missing from my life. Now I know. It's the challenge. Because coming out on the other side of challenge was what made me feel happiest. Not sitting around on the sidelines soaking up the sun. I mean, that's nice, in measured doses. But it's not what mankes a person powerful...or truly, deeply happy. True happiness DOES in fact involve the full use of a woman's powers and talents. Why do you think you had these things in the first place? To use them! And using them means busting loose from the cocoon of habitual living patterns that you've been sliding through for who knows how long. You have to start living life more as if it is a contact sport. You have to be willing to take risks, do something different, engage in getting stronger mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, so that you can lay the foundation of a better life for yourself. And that means change. That means using ALL of the wonderful talents that are locked deep inside yourself. Make a commitment today to do exactly that. And even though sometimes, when the risk-taking puts you in some unchartered waters, you get nervous and long for those thumb-twiddling idle happiness moments, I promise you, when you've reached new shores and experienced new adventures, you'll find a depth of happiness you never even dreamed was possible!
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