Chapter Seven: Rewriting Your Story

Everybody has a story. A past. A demon or two. My pastor once said "if you think you don't have issues, that IS your issue!" The truth of the matter is that life is going to continue to roll along...sometimes without us because of past experiences. Up until a few years ago, I lived my life thinking certain things and situations always happen; therefore, they would always happen and it would never change so what's the point. Well, up until a few years ago, I was living a miserable life. Accepting things as they were and just existing.

The power to change starts internally with you and me. Playing the victim, feeling sorry for ourselves and moping around is a disease in its own right and will only cause heart ache and make the people around you feel negative and despondent too. I didn't realize that I was my biggest enemy! The way I talked to myself and daily beat myself up about my appearance, personality and even my abilities was horrible. If you, like me, have ever said "I can't help the way I think," you've seriously never tried the opposite approach. Speaking life giving words such: I am wonderfully made, God loves me, I LOVE ME, will, over time, be the repetition you will have created in your mind. We create our own world and it starts between the ears.

If you don't like the way you look...start making healthier choices and exercise even if it's just 30 minutes a day.
If you don't like your attitude towards a coworker, friend, or even a family member...stop and put yourself in their shoes and TRY to find compassion. Ask questions and listen. You'll probably be surprised at what you find out. Most of the time people don't feel like anybody understands or cares about where they are in life.
If you don't like your production at your job and feel like everybody is better than you...find continuing education classes or here's a bright idea: ASK FOR HELP!

Life will continue to flow. Difficult people will still come and go in your life. The devil WILL always continue to knock on the door of your faults and weaknesses and try to win. You don't always have to be the negative one, the depressed one, the angry one, the fat one. The ONLY thing we can change is the way we respond to all of it! It's US, not them. I have by no means conquered all of this and never will. My prayer is that day by day, over time, it will become less of an issue for me.

Today's tip: LOVE. It covers a multitude of things. When we come from a loving place, that's where we find grace and mercy for and from other people.