When I was a graduate student studying to be a Marriage and Family Therapist, one evening the professor walked into the classroom and began our class discussion with the question, “What is Life?”. Instantly, he grabbed my attention! After several class members threw out their definitions and the class members discussed them for quite a while, the professor finally said:
“Just imagine you are 90 years old and sitting on your favorite porch in your favorite rocking chair.
You are thinking over your LIFE.
LIFE is… the RESULT of the MEANINGS that YOU CHOSE to attach to the EVENTS that happened as time went by.”
What I thought life was about.
Instantly, I wanted to jump out of my seat and shout! I was excited because I realized that I could be in charge and have TOTAL CONTROL of how my life would end!!
But… simultaneously, I wanted to fall to the floor in fear! I immediately realized that I could NO longer and NEVER again blame my parents, my husband, my children, my friends, my enemies, or ANYBODY else for how my life would end. I had to take 100% RESPONSIBILITY for my life. I was not used to doing that.
That evening was a real turning point for me as to how I would live going forward.
Ponder this.
If you are choosing to attach positive (+) meanings to most of your life events, you will end up feeling peaceful in that rocking chair.
If you are choosing to attach negative (-) meanings to most of your life events, you will an end up feeling angry and bitter in that rocking chair.
The choice is yours.
ONLY YOU are in charge of your destiny.
Take RESPONSIBILITY for your life and make any necessary changes you need to so that your life has a good outcome.