Define Yourself

Somewhere along the way, you have to decide the kind of person you want to be. I liken it to a mission statement for your life. You need to look yourself in the mirror and know without a doubt, the traits that you wish to possess. It will help define your “way” of traveling through life. When you are faced with deceit, betrayal, pettiness and all other manner of shenanigans, you have something to hold on to. We may not have a stitch of control over the bad behavior of others, but we damn sure do over our own. It is not easy to be self-aware. That can be some hard stuff to see, but without constant introspection, there is no growth. It is not a onetime glance; you have to monitor yourself regularly. When you are faced with the ugliness of another person, challenge yourself to turn your light on your own darkness. Do not take for granted that you are sticking to your life’s game plan. Do not walk blindly through your own life. Examine your base level and remove all pettiness. It is terribly easy to fall into a fight at a level far below yourself if you don’t keep your eyes turned inward. I know personally how hard it can be to withstand blatant slander and to want to set the record straight. The trouble is that in a shit-slinging fight, even if you win, you still come out smelling like shit. I am not claiming that any of it is easy to do, or that I am always able to do it, but I know that it is the right path, so I keep coming back to it, even if I may trip or stray. I also know that I am in control of my own environment, and I try to be very protective of that. It can be hard to weather the inevitable storms that rumble across the path of our lives. However; if we are housed safely in the shelter of integrity, honesty, and authenticity and wrapped in the warm arms of compassion, gratitude and kindness, the storms will pass leaving minimal damage.

Be thoughtful, friends: thoughtful enough to know that there is something bigger than the discomfort of the moment. Be brave, friends: brave enough to be honest with yourself about your own actions. Be strong, friends: strong enough to hold to your mission, even when it seems impossible.