Don’t be afraid of life’s detours. None of us have a road map to life and it’s full of twists and turns. You may think you have it figured out and then a trial will come your way that will throw you off course. It’s okay. We will always have the ability to redirect our path. Give yourself a little grace.
It is in the midst of change that we often discover wings we never knew we had. Sometimes change can feel uncomfortable at first, especially if it is not something that you initiated. Sometimes change is very necessary and you hesitate to be the one to make it. Sometimes changes happen in the normal course of life and we have a choice to make; either let that change overwhelm you or allow it to make you better. The choice is yours. Here are a few of my favorite things to remind me that God gave me wings to fly! If you need to be reminded, grab one for yourself. https://amzn.to/3woQNKQ https://amzn.to/3QyUTag
In our lives we face moments where unexpected things happen, good and bad. It is impossible to prepare for every single life event. It’s easy to worry yourself sick trying to plan for every possible scenario, mountain to climb, bridge to cross or valley you will go through. Peace comes not from being able to predict or prepare for everything, but learning to eb and flow with all of life’s uncertainties. The next time you find yourself dwelling on the what ifs, refocus your thoughts to the present moment. And when the next storm comes, learn to simple dance in the rain.
What makes you tap your hands or feet to the beat? What makes you stop and take a second look? What makes you feel a sense of peace and tranquility? Whatever it is, do those things… as often as possible. Those are the true things that set your soul on fire!
It’s important that you hone in on the skill of trusting yourself and your gut instincts. That small voice in the back of your head that tells you not to do something. Listen to your intuition and trust that it would not misguide or mislead you. It takes practice and repetition, and seeing the proof in what happens when you don’t listen to your gut. I invite you today to begin practicing the art of trusting yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
I talk a lot about learning that my vulnerability is a super power over the past five years. One thing I still get hung up on is when/how to be vulnerable at work.
According to Culture Works HR, 60% of Americans struggle to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
Quora says that vulnerability is natural and should be embedded within any company’s culture. “It creates trust and promotes acceptance and empathy when giving and receiving feedback. It also helps with effective problem solving and decision making.”
According to Toner Buzz, 85% of companies that offer work-life balance programs report an increase in productivity, while 33% of employees with a good balance say they plan to stay longer in their current role.
The fear of making connections and being vulnerable can stem from various sources, such as past traumatic experiences, fear of rejection or abandonment, low self esteem, or a lack of trust in others. This is true whether in your personal or professional life.
So how can you change that?
-Focus on building self awareness;
-Practice active listening;
-Share your thoughts and feelings appropriately;
Do you have a difficult time being vulnerable? Try a few of these to help get you started.
Learn to laugh, even in the storms of life. Laughter is medicine for the soul and can be a great cure for those depression filled days. I have often said, “I had to laugh to keep from crying.” Some days that was true. But what I found in that was a shift in my mindset from focusing not on my circumstances, but on what good can come out of even the most difficult times. Sometimes all it takes is a shift in our mindset to be able to weather storms we are in.