Don't be discouraged . . .

It's happened to us all at some point in time . . . a little thing called discouragement.  It sits between you and what you desire.  Sometimes it's disguised as hard work. Sometimes it's disguised as doubt that what you desire is achievable. Sometimes it's disguised as criticism from others. Sometimes it's disguised as fear of failure.

Edison failed 10, 000 times before he made the electric light.
Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.
- Napoleon Hill

Whatever shroud discouragement wears, it's just that . . . a shroud.  Its intent is to distract your focus.  If you accept the charade, discouragement will plant more seeds of negativity.  You begin to make excuses about not having enough time, energy or money.  You begin to worry about what people will think of you.  You begin to think about times that you've wanted to achieve similar things in the past and weren't successful in doing so.

"When everything seems to be going against you,
remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it ...."
- Henry Ford

When discouragement obstructs your path, take a moment to peer past it at your goal and ask yourself a question?  Is this something I want for myself or is this a goal that I've created to please someone else?  If the goal isn't something that you genuinely want for yourself, release it.  Finding the resolve to achieve something you don't truly desire is exhausting and will not bring you satisfaction.  If the goal is authentically yours, then refocus on the discouragement and remove its veil. Look closely at what is holding you back from achieving what you want.  Address the fears, the doubts and the critics; including the biggest one . . . YOURSELF.  Then allow yourself to believe that the sense of accomplishment and happiness you will feel from achieving your goal is greater than anything discouragement can throw your way.

If we doubted our Fears instead of doubting our dreams,
Imagine how much in life we'd accomplish.
- Joel Brown

Don't be discouraged by setbacks or perceived failures.  Life has a tendency to strip away the unnecessary to make space for the unbelievable.

Lighten Your Load of Unnecessary Baggage

As we embark on this journey called life, many of us carry around unnecessary emotional baggage like regret, insecurity, sorrow, and fear. We neatly pack and transport years and years of painful memories and experiences with us.  We've been lugging some of this baggage around for so long that we view the weight of the burden as innate, not realizing that we are voluntarily carrying it.
   

"You cannot let go of anything if you cannot notice
that you are holding it. Admit your 'weaknesses' and
watch them morph into your greatest strengths." 

- Neale Donald Walsch

It's time to take an honest look at your life.  Just how much baggage are you dragging behind you?  Is it yours alone or are you shouldering other people's hardships as well?  Do you find yourself experiencing the same frustrations, mistakes and heartaches over and over again?  Are you drawn to people and situations that only seem to add to the weight of your existing emotional baggage?

"I say unto you that suffering is not holding you, you are holding suffering." 

- Osho

Have you asked yourself what you are going to DO with all that stuff when you get to where you're going? Most of the baggage you're dragging around is useless and you haven't WORN the contents in years...some because they're out of style (like opinions about yourself & others), some because you've outgrown them and they no longer fit (like relationships), some because they're just plain ugly and you should never have possessed to begin with (like prejudice, envy and hate), and WORST OF ALL--some are simply worn out and tattered but you keep them because they are comfortable (like habits and behaviors).

"People have a hard time letting go of their suffering.
Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar." 

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Would would happen if you let go of the pain, let go of the emotions, let go of the attachments to the difficult memories, let go of the identity you've created because of all the baggage?
 

"Let go. Why do you cling to pain? 

There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. 
Why hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love?" 
- Leo Buscaglia

If you can release your grip on the experiences of your past, you will free yourself up to live the life you deserve.  It's impossible to move forward if you're constantly looking in the rear view mirror.  Stop exhausting yourself with the responsibility of thoughts, behaviors, and memories that don't serve you.  Instead, revitalize yourself by focusing your energies on the people and things that bring you joy.

"Think about any attachments that are depleting
your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go." 

- Oprah Winfrey

Lighten your load! You'll reach your destination faster and the journey will be far more enjoyable.

The curiosity and enthusiasm of a child . . .

Do you start each day begrudgingly; dreading the tasks that await?  Or do you awaken eagerly looking forward to your day?  Often we get caught up in the routine of our lives and lose sight of the newness that each day brings.  Our daily events become so common place that we tend to forget their impact and importance.

The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, 

which means never losing your enthusiasm. 

- Aldous Huxley

Have you ever noticed that a child can be completely intrigued by a simple cardboard box.  As adults we often observe and think, "There are all these toys around and yet they choose to play with an empty cardboard box.  I just don't get it."

"Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic" 

- Dale Carnegie

Well, the reason we don't get it is that somewhere along the way, we lose our enthusiasm for the simple things.  You look at the box and see, well . . . a cardboard box.  A child looks at a cardboard box and sees so much more:  a race car speeding down the track, a abandoned cave filled with lost treasure, a spaceship traveling distant galaxies, a castle perched atop a majestic mountain.

 Children are happy because they don't have a file in their minds called 

'All the Things That Could Go Wrong'. 

- Marianne Williamson

 
As adults, it now takes much more to hold our attention or excite us.  We become disenchanted and disillusioned.  If we're not careful, we can even get to the point where we proudly wear a badge of being 'not easily impressed'.   Don't believe me?  How often have you had someone compliment you on something only to have you quickly dismiss it?  Or how often have you heard someone telling a very animated story about something that they recently experienced only for you to think to yourself 'big deal'?  As we become more and more apathetic, it seems there are fewer and fewer things to be enthusiastic about.

Enthusiasm finds the opportunities, 

and energy makes the most of them. 

- Henry S. Hoskins

Renew your enthusiasm.  Refresh your perspective.  Challenge yourself to enjoy simplicity.  Revel in complexities. Get back in touch with your inner child.  Become fascinated with learning and exploring new things.  Open yourself to new experiences.  Unleash your curiosity and creativity.  Create opportunities to expand your horizons.  Discover and pursue your passions.


What's the worse that could happen?  You just might enjoy yourself . . .