[singlepic id=8 w=320 h=240 float=left]Artist: Susanna Isabella
Title: Buffalo Child
Medium: Acrylic paints
Contact: susanna.isabella@angelic.com
FEATURE ARTICLE
How To Get There
From time to time most of us have seen others successes and wished they were our own: maybe they received a promotion at work, or recognition for their accomplishment in a sporting, artistic or some other field; maybe they won a significant prize in a lottery; maybe they are in a loving relationship that appears ideal in every way; maybe …
It’s tempting to attribute someone’s success to factors such as superior talent, skill or intelligence, to having the right contacts, or just good luck. Such thoughts, if we tend to entertain them frequently, and particularly if we experience accompanying feelings of hopelessness or despondency, can often mask underlying beliefs such as, ‘I wouldn’t ever be able to achieve that’, and, ‘I’m not good enough’.
In fact though, many of the world’s most widely recognised high achievers attribute their success not to having some special skill, superior intelligence or exceptional luck, but to perseverance, persistence or just plain doggedness. In relation to his discovery of penicillin, Louis Pasteur is reputed to have said, “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” And Albert Einstein has been cited as saying, “I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.”
Another very important contributor to achieving is a desire to achieve. Only a strong hunger to reach a goal will help us to carry on when the going gets tough, to get up over and over again each time we fall down. If you have ever watched a baby learning to crawl and walk you will know that the drive to achieve is inbuilt; no one has to force a child to develop these abilities. However, sometimes this drive can seemingly be lost through childhood experiences, the kinds of experiences that lead to us holding beliefs like, ‘I’m not/I never will be good enough.’
Becoming unstoppable
Even if you’re finding it difficult to discover this inner drive in yourself, it’s not lost, only buried. This can result simply from apparent apathy and lack of encouragement towards a child’s achievements (maybe due to depressed or emotionally distant parent figures), or from more extreme events such as children being told repeatedly they are not good enough (dumb, clumsy etc), or being actively discouraged from and even punished for pursuing the things their hearts desire. As an adult it’s important to rediscover this inner energy and drive in order to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. Following are some things that I have found to be helpful in this regard.
• Undo any ‘I’m not good enough’ beliefs
If you use a computer then I strongly urge you to watch and listen to two short clips on You Tube. The first is ‘Defeat is Not Failure’. The second is ‘Best Motivational Video Ever’.
• Fill your life with love and support
Consider the people in your life right now. The way life works is that we tend to attract people who have similar views to our own. So it’s quite likely that if you don’t feel good enough you will have collected at least a few people who share this view – i.e. that you’re not much good – and who make no bones about letting you know this. Support is as important to adults as it is to children, so begin to seek out and spend time with people who love and respect you, and will help you to recognise your positive qualities. Over time, change the balance until most of your time is spent in the company of positive, supportive people.
• Let others achievements inspire you
If you’re a reader, two of my favourite inspirational books are Playing the Enemy by John Carlin, about a period in Nelson Mandela’s life shortly after he became president of South Africa, and Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic, a man born without arms or legs, who lives a full life, is a motivational speaker and director of a non-profit organisation ‘Life Without Limbs’.
If you enjoy movies, there are lots of motivating DVDs about real life achievers – try Miss Potter, the quest by Beatrix Potter for recognition as a children’s author and illustrator at a time when women were not expected to have careers; Invictus a film about Nelson Mandela based on the book Playing the Enemy, mentioned above; and Amazing Grace, the long struggle by William Wilberforce to steer anti-slave-trade legislation through the British parliament.
• Rediscover your inner drive
Begin to discover what really motivates you – what does your heart tell you that you would love to be or do, that is your true calling? Spend time in quiet contemplation simply discovering who you really are. And when you’re ready, begin to move in the direction of one or more of your dreams. There is a cartoon by Michael Leunig titled, ‘How to get there’. The words are:
‘Go to the end of the path until you get to the gate.
Go through the gate and head straight out towards the horizon.
Keep going towards the horizon.
Sit down and have a rest every now and again.
But keep going. Just keep on with it.
Keep on going as far as you can. That’s how you get there.’
That doesn’t sound so difficult, does it?
Annabel Muis
REGULAR ARTICLE
LOOK UP… CHEER UP!
“My feet hurt. I am too old to spend all day standing in high heels. This retail job is no longer for me. When I start any other project, I always struggle. What’s wrong with me?” these last week’s comments from my 50-year-old friend Lynne inspired me to write this month’s Feng Shui column.
Lynne is a lovely and caring lady; her only struggle is her belief and thought patterns. Many today face the same challenge, thinking they are ‘not good enough’, often limiting their beliefs that life is easier when working for someone else or being on social benefits. Often, those people don’t dare taking the step towards living their own truth and find all sorts of excuses to avoid it. Her lack of perseverance is revealed in Lynne’s home… The shoes she wears are probably very elegant but always very uncomfortable. Ask yourself how are you walking in life today? Many of Lynne’s frames are waiting on the floor to be hanged; too many souvenirs of her previous travels are nonchalantly thrown on the floor tiles, simply forgotten.
Yes, you too can perceive this lack of perseverance and poor self esteem in people’s interior!
A closer look around to remedy as soon as possible and regain self-perseverance.
• Are items encumbering entry and floors?
The symbolism behind items lying on the floor is that you are always looking down where you step. When you look down, your body automatically bends the neck and shoulders, your energy lowers. Displaying decorative items on benches or walls and honouring them, putting clothes in the washing basket or folded in your wardrobe will give a better and clearer view of your home and will have a subtle impact on your day. Then, by constantly (and unconsciously) scanning the new-look of your environment, you will look up and look forward to bring new projects into your life. De-cluttering is easy to keep, allow yourself one time slot per day to check it out.
• Is the doorbell inexistent or out of order?
A doorbell is the symbol of hearing news coming to you. Once a week, for example each Monday morning, check if your doorbell batteries are still charged. Go to your front door and ring your doorbell with the intent of receiving good news. Amazing how this uncomplicated ritual will change your life.
• Is the doormat absent or worn out?
Sweeping up your feet onto your doormat leaves the worries outdoors and the wind will blow them away. The doormat directs visitors and new opportunities to your life.
• Are overgrown plants hanging over the garden paths?
The path leading to your entry should ideally be the same width as your door. By trimming plants regularly, you are manicuring the ways, and all that leads to your life will become more compassionate, caring and loving.
• Is there a pile of clothes waiting to be washed or ironed?
Deal with it! Get onto your daily tasks and chores as soon as they appear.
• Do your frames look alike? Are your photos updated?
People often forget photos and frames that have been hanging for so long on the walls. Choosing frames with the same finishes bring harmony on the display… at the same time, updating the photos of the family would be a good idea. Keeping photos of the past holds you to the past! Are you ready to move forward? Put inspiring pictures around your place.
• Light bulbs
A little detail that has enormous importance: all your light bulbs should be in working order! Where light is, life is. Any dark area of your home should be looked after and rejuvenated.
WHO would you like to BE in 3 weeks time, in 3 months time and later in life?
Persevere in the changes around you and combine this with your thought process to uplift your self-confidence. Forgive yourself of those few past mistakes and look forward to a brighter future. Embrace your present: you are alive, you are well and reading this article! Being in gratitude to where you are right now is essential to help you make the steps into tomorrow. Never give up; when there is life, there is hope.
I organise intensive weekends that help you move forward in life. Discover the programs on my websites (listed below); they are indeed life changing experiences!
Roseline Deleu. Philanthropist, International Feng Shui Master and Author. Contact me on 0412 717 454. Visit www.fengshuisteps.com