Who hasn’t had those instances of frustration when you haven’t achieved goals you had hoped to by a certain time?
Many of us try to limit ourselves time wise when it comes to our life goals. I will be married, with 3 children and a dog by 29. I’m going to be the president of Lemonade Stand by 35. I want to have a vacation home in the South of France, a bursting bank account, and be able to retire at 55. In theory, planning out your life sounds pretty good, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s great to have aspirations. What happens when life throws you a curveball? Are you going to stress out because you’re in Lemonade Stand’s mailroom at 34 because you had to take care of an invalid parent for 10 years? Is your life of less value because you didn’t get married until you were 45? You can’t retire until you’re approaching the average age and you have a fixed income. Does that make you a horrible person? A poor planner?
Let’s get real. The fact is, you can only control so much of life. Fate intervenes, and quite often, the path you may be on has major twists and turns, bringing you to a place you never thought you’d be. That’s when many of us make a conscious effort to take a step back and reflect on this crazy roller coaster called life, then try to figure out where to go next.
Like everyone in the world, during some of my most difficult times, my pain, anger, and frustration seemed to consume me. I was so upset and whined and cried to the universe, pleading for some type of explanation as to why things happened the way they did. I felt that I had no control over certain events, and that lack of control propelled me to metaphorically yank the reins hard to regain it. Try as I might, after time passed, certain things in my life were still stagnant. It then hit me. Control only takes you so far. As I’ve often read and thought, the universe has a funny way of showing you where you need to put your focus. For me, everything that happened truly had a purpose. All these difficulties and roadblocks got me to thinking just how strong of a person I am. It was then that I took a step back and asked myself what I want. How will a particular endeavor enrich my life? What can I can do to get there? What this all boils down to is motivation. If you have the drive to achieve your goal, you will press on, regardless of how long it takes to get there. You need to get yourself in a better mindframe to have a better understanding of yourself. That is tantamount to success.
If you feel you must, release ideas, beliefs, thoughts, and even people in your life that aren’t conducive or don’t bring you joy. Find that spark in you. Get in touch with your creative side, if that’s what moves you. Find that place that brings you serenity and peace. Go after that job you’ve been wishing for. You have to be connected to your own mind, heart, and soul. That will help you find what will make you content and happy. The answers will become clear soon enough.
KATY KOSTAKIS 