Have you ever thought about daily life, the everyday stress and anxiety of berating bosses, alarm clocks, freeways, bills, and even at times, belligerent mates! It is a constant onslaught.
Life appears to involve suffering. Where does it all come from? What is the point? What can you do about it? We think, we speak, we act. The sum total of these thoughts, words, and deeds make up each of our ever-evolving characters. Some people excel in certain areas, others will triumph in others. Some cower under the same circumstances that others flourish in. We are all different except in one very special way. We all have “stuff”, pet peeves, weak spots, neuroses, things that drive us nuts!
Guess what??? We cause it all ourselves, all our sufferings, every one of them, no exceptions. While this may seem to you, a BGO (Blinding Glimpse of the Obvious) to many of us, it carries a profound message about empowerment.
If we caused our sufferings, we can change every one of them, by changing the behavior that caused them in the first place. Sounds almost too simple, right? Well, simple yes, but easy…NOT by a long shot!
Here is a blueprint:
Step one: Take responsibility.
Whatever you don’t like about yourself, own it. You created it. Accept it. It’s there. Until you change it, it won’t leave. Acknowledge it. Bring it out. Shed some light on it. Don’t let it hide.
Step two: Seize the pain.
Ask yourself, what is the root cause of the suffering? When you identify it, lock onto it. Embrace your dark side, welcome the shadows. They are going to be there regardless of whether we pay attention or not, “so grab them”.
Step three: Take action.
Do something different. Reflect upon what caused the hurt last time, and try new tactic. There is too much truth in the adage “Insanity equals doing the same thing day after day, and expecting a different result tomorrow.” Get off of it. Let that old pattern go. Break it up, and bust loose. Dance with your devils…live large!
Step four: Reflect
Did your new and different action work? Are you more pleased with the results? Would it work again? If not, start over until it does. It is not fun to think about, but pain can be a MONSTER motivator! Out of suffering comes desire. Desire for change, for the suffering to end. Latch onto that suffering and let it drive you. By changing the way we behave today, we shift our tomorrows.
Don’t let fear hold you back. Tell your demons to put their boxing gloves on, because you are now “in the ring of life” and you are going to move around, bob, weave, jab, and then wind up and knock fear into the next county…because
“YOU HAVE THE POWER!”
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
26. July 2010 at 6:09 pm
Hi Judy,
accepting the pain, or whatever it maybe is a great start.
Learning to take responsibility 100% is something I did when I was reading Louise Hays book. I got me out of the blame game, well at least it got me conscious of when it was more tempting to blame than be responsible.
Love and Light
from
Yorinda
Yorinda´s last [type] ..Joy is the Goal
28. July 2010 at 11:46 am
Hi Yorinda…
Don’t you just really enjoy Louise Hay? I have learned so much about myself, from her teachings. The blame game is a great example. Congratulations to you, for discovering that.
To your success, always….
Judy and Robin
27. July 2010 at 4:13 pm
Hi Judy and Robin,
Great post and I couldn’t agree more. Noone said it’s simple but it is possible and so very empowering when we overcome our fears, demons and challenges.
Thanks again,
andrew
Andrew Sayers´s last [type] ..More time- more money- more life We all want that right
28. July 2010 at 12:04 pm
Hi Andrew…
Thanks for your kind comments. You are so right, “no one said it is simple”…but we are all on the road to make it easier.
We can overcome so much, if we just take the step, to start the process.
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
27. July 2010 at 6:06 pm
Judy and Robin,
You are so right we do have the power and when we start to understand that we create all of the good things as well as the bad things by what we constantly think then we will only think positive thoughts.
Lori
Lori Robertson´s last [type] ..Success Tip 5 Value
28. July 2010 at 12:07 pm
Hi Lori…
It seems so simple at first glance, doesn’t it? But it actually can be hard to constantly think with positive intentions. We are aware of all the negativity that surrounds us daily, but we can take the step to start becoming aware of it, and make choices that are healthier, in both body and spirit. Thanks for your comments Lori, we appreciate it!
To your success, always….
Judy and Robin
27. July 2010 at 6:26 pm
Hi Judy and Robin,
The phrase “tell your demons to put their boxing gloves on” is very powerful. I’m going to carry that one with me! Starting tomorrow, I’m going to be doing a 30-day video challenge and it frightens me to face it. So out with the boxing gloves …
Thanks for the terrific quote. Here comes action!
Darlene Davis´s last [type] ..The Lost Art of Writing
28. July 2010 at 12:11 pm
Hi Darlene…
We will be with you in spirit, over the next 30 days, believing in you, and your video challenge! You can do it. Actually, you already have, by making the decision to start! Go for it girl, and “put your gloves on…and send your fears to the ground, where they belong” !
A hearty congratulations to you, for “bringing out our gloves”!
To your success….
Judy and Robin
28. July 2010 at 10:51 am
Great post, my only thought/ critique is when we interpret and label our perceived experiences as “suffering” we are truly dis-empowering ourselves.
Our thought process and attitude must make a shift if we are ever to end our perceived suffering. Experiencing pain, loss, heartaches, financial troubles can be viewed an interpreted in many different ways. It is only when we change our perceptions we change our reality.
Thanks and have a spectacular day!
Joe
Joe Malinowski´s last [type] ..The Jonny Carson Method
28. July 2010 at 12:28 pm
Hi Joe…
You are so right! All of our “suffering” can be interpreted so many ways. It is, indeed, our choice, as to what, and how, we will experience it. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us. We truly appreciate it, and look forward to your blog as well. We are headed there now to see what “The Johnny Carson Method” is all about!
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
30. July 2010 at 5:03 pm
Great post, Judy! If I may add my 2 cents…
Any future we want to see happen in our life starts with our belief system which will determine our dominant thoughts, and subsequently our behaviors and habits. Thus, your step #4 is important. Any value we take in and reflect will always affect our belief system.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Steven Winata´s last [type] ..Traffic Geyser Trial Re-opened
31. July 2010 at 11:40 am
Hi Steven…
Thanks for your thoughts as well. It is so rewarding to see that there are other people of like minds, who are learning daily, all the things to make life successful!
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
30. July 2010 at 7:22 pm
Great post. While we can debate the semantics of whether we “cause” our suffering, it is certainly our responsibility to deal with it. And we always have the choice to find the redemption in whatever our experience is.
Thanks so much,
Adam
Dr. Adam Sheck´s last [type] ..The 3 C’s of Relationship- Chemistry- Compatibility & Commitment
31. July 2010 at 11:41 am
Thanks Dr Sheck…
We appreciate your comments as well. You most certainly have valid points, that we can all learn from. We look forward to more of your thoughts.
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
30. July 2010 at 8:33 pm
Thanks Guys, This will help me as I go forward. Hopefully towards success
Bill Cowan´s last [type] ..Live Each Moment
31. July 2010 at 11:42 am
Hi Bill…
You are very welcome, and we look forward to going forward along with you!
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
31. July 2010 at 4:48 am
Hey Judy – great Post- It’s a bit of a curse the whole ‘suffering’ deal. Its largely ingrained in the psyche of many cultures and societies an interwoven with the communal belief systems.
Alas this suffering is rarely justifiable and often a martyr complex wrapped up in guilt. What a waste!
I like the philosophy that all truth is contextual – change the context and all meaning instantly changes – as you say ‘you do have the power- to take responsibility for your own thoughts- Woe is me – will always have an audience to validate-
Sorry to waffle on!
Cheers Kiaran from Mostly Sunny Perth!
31. July 2010 at 11:54 am
Hi Kiaran in Sunny Perth!
First, as a Washington State resident, I am so envious of your sunny weather. LOL But, despite that fact, I truly loved your comments. What wisdom you have! I truly can’t wait to see what your blog is about. I am sure it will be wonderful. Yes, indeed, your point is well taken…suffering is such a waste, when one can simply choose to change it. But it must have some sort of reward, for so many to stay in that state of mind. But, we will continue to move on, and live a life that matters.
From your comments, you have already doing that. Congratulations to you Kiaran!
To your success, always…
Judy
2. August 2010 at 12:02 pm
Thanks Judy for your article. It all boils down to we create our world our life through our thoughts. I have spent the last 9 years presenting this message and quite frankly most people don’t get it and that’s OK I’m here for those that do.
Thanks again,
Michael
3. August 2010 at 11:41 am
Hi Michael…
Thanks so much for your thoughts…and we totally agree with you; so many people just really do not “get ” it and it is ok. It is not our position to decide for them. But for those of us with like-minds, it is so inspiring to share our thoughts and ideas with each other. Thanks for the link to your prosper your mind blog. We are on our way right now, to experience it.
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
3. August 2010 at 6:45 pm
Hi Judy,
Great advice. It also reminds me of The Power of Now and how we create our own suffering by the thoughts that we are having at the moment. We cause our own stress by worrying about the future for example. I have found that to be of great help although sometimes easier said than done.
Have a great day!
Linnea´s last [type] ..Does “Tribing” Pay
4. August 2010 at 7:59 pm
Hi Linnea…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on our post. Yes, it does at times, seem easier said, than done, but don’t you find that each time, it gets a little easier? We worry so much, and it usually is much worse, than what actually happens! LOL
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
4. August 2010 at 5:45 am
Hi Judy,
A great post concerning our responsibility. Back in my early years I use to have all kinds of reasons for not succeeding or accomplishing things. Shoot my list of reasons were fantastic. I would blame the weather, or the fact it was Monday, or maybe because it was a holiday, or maybe my parents . . . shoot I would even blame the government. My list was powerful.
Until one day in my early years . . .I had a mentor ask me for a list of the reasons why I hadn’t done very well up to that point in my life. He looked at the list and said, “Lloyd, that is a great list and I certainly see why you have not done well.” Boy! I really felt great, my mentor agreed with me; however he then said, “You know Lloyd, the reason you have not done well is YOU are not at the top of that list.”
Wow!! That’s the reason . . .We control our thoughts and actions. We must take responsibility for the way things turn out.
Go out and make it a great day!
Lloyd Dobson
Lloyd Dobson´s last [type] ..Smart and Safe Backlink Building Guide To Obtain Page 1 on Google
4. August 2010 at 7:54 pm
Hi Lloyd…
It is so surprising to us, how we can all become extremely successful at finding reasons to justify our decisions. Your mentor was indeed, a VERY wise person, and we are sure you benefited from that advice! That lesson was learned by you, and you made the decision to change the “set of your sails” and changed the direction you were headed. Congratulations! And, thank you for sharing that story with all of us…someone may be at a point in life, that it will help them!
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
5. August 2010 at 8:54 am
I’ve seen fear hold so many people back (including myself before) from achieving their full potential.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.”
Let’s all take the action we need to!
Eddie Espiritu´s last [type] ..Lessons from the Tire Store
6. August 2010 at 11:37 pm
Hi Eddie…
Ralph Waldo Emerson is a favorite of ours, as well. So many wise quotes, and ideals. Fear is an amazing thing, but used correctly, can change lives for the better. As you said, fear used to hold you back, but not now! Facing fear, and learning about what it is that you are afraid of, will set you free from the fear. Fear is usually simply not knowing, or understanding that which we are fearful of. Thank you for your thoughts Eddie, and for sharing them with us.
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
9. August 2010 at 12:59 am
Robin,
Taking responsibility is actually the starting point,we sometimes live in denial but once we take that final step to own our fate and say if its to be its up to me then the universe will answer and from that we harness the inner power.:D
This is an awesome post thanks for sharing…
To your success,
~kebabope Morapedi
kebabope´s last [type] ..Are You In Control Of Your Destiny
9. August 2010 at 9:32 am
Keba,
You really have a good grasp of how it all works. You are so right about taking responsibility of our own futures!
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Robin and Judy
20. August 2010 at 9:39 pm
Thank you for the brilliant post!, choosing to dive in to the causes of pain and then letting it go, is a marvelous way to discover our authentic power. And learning to constantly correct our course so that our thoughts and actions keep moving us away from the causes of pain toward what we wish to create is certainly as important.
Excellent post, thank you,
Johneal
Johneal Rouse´s last [type] ..7 Ideas to Unlearn – Letting Go of Priced Beliefs
24. August 2010 at 4:39 pm
Hi Johneal…
Thanks so much for your thoughts. You, along with many others, really “get it”. It is all about discovering our authentic power.
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
25. August 2010 at 9:36 am
Hi Robin,
A great post on taking responsibility for one’s outcome. I use to have a whole list of reasons for not doing very well in my early years. I would blame the weather, my parents, it was a holiday, it wasn’t a holiday, the government, etc.; how ever, one day I had the good fortune of meeting a mentor to help me in the right direction.
My mentor ask me to place myself at the top of that list . . . Remarkably things turned 180 degrees for me. I am now the reason for the way things turn out!
Go out and make it a great day!
Lloyd Dobson
Lloyd Dobson´s last [type] ..Smart and Safe Backlink Building Guide To Obtain Page 1 on Google
25. August 2010 at 2:28 pm
And, Lloyd, judging by your blog, we’d say things have turned out quite well for you!
You make such an excellent point… each of us really is the reason for the way things turn out. Isn’t it a nicer way to live as well? None of that spending wasted days blaming our outcomes on someone or something. It’s empowering to realize that WE create outcomes in our lives!
To your continued success,
Robin
21. December 2010 at 1:31 pm
HEY ROBIN IT SURE AINT EASY BUT ITS ALL WORTH IT AT THE END .. GREAT WORK AND PERSISTENCE IS GREAT THX
21. January 2011 at 5:01 pm
Thanks Tanisha…
We agree…it may not be easy, but is sure is worth the effort in the end!
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin