Tired of not getting what you want in one or more major
areas in your life? Are you living a life that is not
exactly as you planned? Have you given up on what you
used to want?
You are entitled to a life that works! One full
of passionate and satisfying experiences.
When is the last time someone asked you what you wanted?
Maybe the waiter in a restaurant? Or the butcher at the
supermarket? Who looks after your needs as you take care
of your kids, your husband, your parents, your house,
your boss, your laundry. . .?
Is anyone putting you first in their life? Probably
not. Maybe not even you. This may be shocking, but you
need to put yourself first. Yes, first.
Even before the kids. Certainly before your husband. You
need to take care of yourself and "fill your gas tank,"
or no one else will. If you are running on empty, you
are not much help to others. So, that means taking time
out to breath, to think, to relax, to plan. . . and to
dream.
If you are ready to dream, let’s "up the ante," so to
speak, to the next level. What do you really want?
And, I don’t mean for dinner tonight. Nor, do I mean which
color blouse to purchase or what movie to see on Friday
night. I mean, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!!" in life.
What I know about women, is that often there is no time
or space left in life to consider the answer to this question.
Never mind being able to spend quality time really pondering
this question or planning how to pursue the revelations
you come up with!
So, how do you envision significant, satisfying changes
in your life and then make them happen? Follow me! Start
by, just for a moment, freeing yourself from the attachments
of family, relationship, responsibilities, pressures,
and worry. . . let them go from your mind.
Find a relaxing place to sit. Close your eyes. Take
a deep breath or two. Remember, you put your worries and
responsibilities aside. Let the "realities" of life go.
Forget about the places you need to be. Forget the things
you need to do, the schedules, and the commitments. I
challenge you to also put aside the restrictions to having
what you want. I know there are many of them. Just let
them go! Let yourself float away . . .from this life that
is currently yours.
In your mind, float up above your body, out of the building
you are in, and to a peaceful location. It might be nearby
- somewhere you like to spend time. From this place, look
down at your life. What would you have in your life if
you could have anything? What do you love in your life?
What would you keep no matter what? What don’t you love?
What would you change? What would you let go of?
What would your house be like? How would you decorate
it? Where would it be located? What else would you change
about your house to feel nurtured, happy, and safe there?
Take a moment to picture it. See the details. Let out
the stops!
Now, look at your family. How would family life be?
What does the time with your kids look like? What does
the time away from your kids look like? How do you want
your relationships with all family members to be? Sit
for a moment with the visions.
What would your job look like? Do you have one? Are
you a full-time mom? Do you work at home? Would you change
careers? Spend a few minutes thinking about the details
for your dream job. Go with them, no matter how crazy
or unrealistic they might seem. If you could have a career
doing what would make you happier than anything else,
what would it be?
(Hint: What do you love to do that you feel you must
do. What is it you do easily that others do not? Does
the thought of being able to make a living from it bring
up fears? GREAT! This is it! You have found your passion.
What about your marriage, relationship, or the relationship
you wish you had? What would this look like? What would
your significant other be like? How would he treat you?
Feel how you want to feel with this person. Envision what
you would do together and what you would share. Feel the
passion and closeness between you.
Finally, let yourself think about any other important
aspects of your life, such as your friendships, community
service, travel, recreation, or your spiritual beliefs.
How would these components be if they were as you desired?
Leave your skeptic on the sidelines! (You can have her
back in a few minutes!) Let yourself sneak a glance at
your desires, dreams, passions, and secret fantasies.
Look at the details. . . notice what you see. Any surprises?
Take a deep breath and maybe congratulate yourself for
being willing to look into this place.
If you came up with a satisfying vision, I invite you
to write it down. You might even start an "I WANT" journal.
In it, you can list all the details that came to mind.
Then, add to it over time. I suggest you also write about
the fears, judgements, and reactions you experienced.
For example, "This is too selfish" or "I can’t have this,
so why bother thinking about it!" are typical reactions.
Just notice your thoughts and jot them down. Writing the
objections clears the space to let the desires come to
the surface so you can also write them down!
So, this is the first step in getting what you want
- letting yourself see it. Find a way to make this practice
part of your daily routine. Watch the changes start to
happen!