It’s so ironic or maybe just a silly coincidence that my favorite song growing up and actually maybe still in the top 10 today, was (is) Wasted Time by the Eagles!
I started using it as my anthem waaayyy to early in life. Good choices weren’t necessarily my thing, but lately, I’ve begun to shift the way I look at wasted time.
Over the past couple of years, my choices have definitely gotten better because I’ve taken the time to work on me…personal development is something I’ve invested heavily in.
To refine things even more, over the past couple of months, something has really clicked and life is better than ever because I’m willing to take responsibility for my role in every (most) conflict and bad situation!
I won’t say that my life is perfect and I would advise you to be wary of anyone that says they have a perfect life.
Conflict pushes us toward growth…
Now more to the point…
Most personal development courses (coaches) will tell you that the past is gone, it should be left in the past and the future is unknown so all we have is the present moment. I do believe that all we have is the present moment, but I also believe that the past is important. Sure, you can’t change the past, but it made you the way you are today and the past can teach you how to be in the present, or how not to be in the present, therefore changing your future.
The only reason that time could possibly be wasted is if there is no lesson and you keep living and recreating the past over and over again.
You have to be willing to examine the past, the good, the bad and the ugly and take the lessons. The common denominator in every bad situation that’s ever been part of your life as an adult is, unfortunately, you (obviously, there are some exceptions). In order to move on, you must be willing to take responsibility for whatever happened and more importantly, see your specific role in the situation, and then…move on. Of course, most people don’t do this, they blame everyone else for their bad lot in life, keep living in the same way and nothing ever changes.
Your past brought you to where you are today and gave you tools to make a better future.
There are four pieces of advice for creating a happy now (day)! (if you like) so that you don’t look back and think that time was wasted!
This to shall pass. This little tidbit is great advice from my mom! No situation ever lasts forever, even the ones you think will never end. If you can remember this in the moment, you can get through most anything! Your life is filled with seasons and some are better than others. Focus on how you can improve the moment, even when things aren’t pleasant and know that nothing is permanent…the only thing you can truly count on is change!
You are okay, you will be okay and you’ve got this! You are so much stronger than you think you are and, if you’re still alive, you’ve lived through everything you’ve ever been through and here you are! Looking back, if you could handle the things you’ve lived through, you can handle whatever is going on now. It may not be fun or pleasant, but you are okay!
Talk less and listen more! Sometimes, the reason we’re not happy is because we truly believe that our opinion should matter to other people. I can promise you from experience that arguing your point will very rarely get you anything but angst. Next time you feel like you need to pipe up and give your opinion, ask yourself, would you rather have a peaceful day, or would you rather get into an argument? Choose happy and be quiet!
Figure out how to love yourself. This doesn’t mean that you don’t need to loose 15 pounds or be more confident or make more money. What is does mean is that in order to do any of those things, you have to love who you are right now, while on the way to whatever it is that you want to accomplish! Think about how you treat the people you love and treat yourself in the same way! Self love isn’t about taking a bubble bath, it’s about learning to be disciplined and doing what needs to be done to improve your life. Confidence follows action…not the other way around!
I hope you enjoyed this! I also write a lifestyle blog that you might enjoy! Find me at Crazy Blonde Life! Every post here won’t be about personal development, but for now, it’s what’s on my mind!
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