When Least Expected™

Happy New Year!!

January 1st, 2008 at 08:35am Manchild

For those of you who’ve been busy perusing my archives, I want to personally thank you for your patience with me during the birth of my big dream.  Nothing is as easy as it appears and always takes longer than expected.  If you read last year’s post, you already know that I called 2007, the “Year Of Firsts.”  You will recall that I challenged each of you to do at least “3″ things on a daily basis.  Can you identify at least 3 of those tasks?

Since New Year’s Day traditionally marks the beginning of something new, I am choosing a similar theme for 2008 by using the phrase, “For The First Time.”  But before taking the steps that will challenge you to face your biggest and deepest fears, fire up your computer’s word processor or grab a pen and a few pieces of paper and jot down your own “stones of remembrance.”

From within the safety and security of your beautiful skin, find a quiet place to spend some time taking an honest, introspective look back at 2007.  Why is this necessary?  If you don’t know your history, you’re bound to repeat the same mistakes in 2008 that hindered and unduly burdened you in 2007.  It’s true.  If you want something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.  Difficult?  Most definitely!!  Impossible? Not!!

For the first time, what did you achieve in 2007 that you didn’t believe was possible? What did you do differently that made it possible for you to “keep risin’ after every fall you survived until you began to exceed your self-imposed limitations?  What obstacles did you overcome?  How did you do it?  Who or what inspired you to beat the odds with God’s help?

How has your life changed since you managed to achieve what you didn’t believe was possible?  Do you have a renewed respect for yourself?  Do you have more confidence in yourself? How many of your peers applauded you and showered you with their blessings and well-wishes?  How many negative, fearful people did you have to cut loose, shake loose, and leave behind in order to achieve what they still didn’t believe was possible?  How many new friends have you met since you stepped outside the box of what gave you a false sense of security?

Now, let’s flip the script and ask yourself why you failed to face your fears and embrace Change in 2007.  Yes, I used the “F” word.  I hope you’re not offended.  What did you fail to achieve in 2007 because you still didn’t believe it was possible for you to achieve it?  What bad habits did you repeat in 2007 that sabotaged your efforts to make your big dreams come true in 2006?

Don’t limit your list of introspective questions to mine.  Create your own list.  Humbling isn’t it?  Remember, the last person you want to tell and sell a lie to is yourself.  Only then will you truly “know thyself.”  Think about it until we meet again.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon.  All Rights Reserved.

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Entry Filed under: Acts Of Faith, Inspiration, Leadership, Personal Development, Think About It