Here's what I've had enough of: people invariably denying themselves by doing what they assume other people want or expect of them.
STOP doing what you think other people want you to do! But only if you want to live your life fully and without regret. Here's just a minor example: A friend was recently visiting me for the weekend. I gave him two choices for breakfast: his favorite cereal (which I don't eat but bought for him) and homemade granola. He chose the cereal, but afterwards told me he would have chosen the granola but didn't want to offend me since I had gone to the trouble of going out and buying it. Can you relate? We don't want to hurt other people's feelings so we don't choose what we really want. Here's a more dramatic example: One of my clients has made his work life a priority, but not because he feels it's the right thing to do. In fact, he wants to cut back on his hours but doesn't want to create the wrong impression. He's convinced that if he works less than a 70 hour week, both his peers and his boss will think he's slacking off. Do YOU have an area (maybe more than one, if you're like most people) where you can't say no to other people and you can't say yes to yourself? What if you were to live the way YOU really wanted to? Choosing to enjoy both the big and the small pleasures of life? NOT skimping on what brings you joy, connection and meaning? Do you think that's impossible? It's ABSOLUTELY not! We've been conditioned to believe that we should conform, make nice, live up to other people's expectations, not make waves. Enough of that! Whose life is it, anyway? If it's yours, start taking it back today, starting right this moment. Find what you want, and take it! Live free - your way. This is not wrong, immoral, insensitive or self-centered. It's natural. And it allows us to choose what we really want to have, be and do in our lives. You won't be denying anyone anything. You won't be insensitive or callous. You'll be living in your own integrity with authenticity and confidence. You will feel better, sleep better, enjoy relationships more, and live a life that's truly meaningful and fulfilling when you do. And you'll want that for others, as well. Want help with this? I know what it's like to be caught up in wanting to please others, look good and "do the right thing." It's time to claim your own freedom!
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