It is so easy to allow opportunities in life to pass us by, as we often react in
fear rather than choose our response to particular situations that we
find ourselves in.
Recently my daughter celebrated her 21st birthday, and I thought back to an
incident I had with her that was published many years ago in the book A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul. In sharing this story with you, I am reminded again to always look for opportunities that are given to us.
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I had offered to watch my 3-year-old daughter, Ramanda, so that my
wife could go out with a friend. I was getting some work done while
Ramanda appeared to be having a good time in the other room. No
problem, I figured. But then it got a little too quiet and I yelled
out, “What are you doing, Ramanda?” No response.
We evolve not by dreaming of giant steps, but by committing ourselves in action to little ones, moving step by relentless step in an ever-expanding field of vision.”
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
I would like to give you a gift. Yes, I have something in my possession that, if you accept it, will change your life in ways that you never dreamed possible. My gift is free. I ask nothing in return. You can accept it and share it with others if you choose. In fact, I believe that there are others around you who would be eternally grateful to you for giving them such an amazing and priceless gift.
All that I ask of you, should you decide to accept my gift, is that you take some time to think about the implications of such a gift. Do not accept it if you do not feel ready to let it take you to new and exciting places. My gift has the potential to create both amazing possibilities as well as sheer terror at the same time! Happiness and fear … amazement and caution … belief and disbelief.
Prior to performing, what you “see” in your mind,
whether its weeks or just days before,
will tend to become who you are in that situation. ~ Don Greene, Ph.D.
Have you ever had a performance situation in which you pictured it going poorly?
Maybe you were going to speak in front of a large group, go to a possible career-changing interview, play in an important golf tournament, ask someone on a date or audition for a part in a theater production.
Where do you live?
I’m not asking the address of your home, I’m asking “Where do you LIVE?” Where does your mind reside? Where do you live in your thinking?
Most people I coach live in 1 of 2 places. The most common place is in the future, in the land of ‘What If ?’ This is the place where we say things such as, ”What if my presentation at work goes bad” or “What if I ask her on a date and she says “No”? or “What if I never make it as a Writer (or Musician, or ….)?”
“What if? …What if?…”
Yet another place that many live is in the past, in the land of ‘If Only’. “If only I had started my business earlier … If only I had more self-confidence … If only my family wasn’t so dysfunctional … If only I wasn’t rejected.”
If you’re not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you’re not constantly demanding more from yourself – expanding and learning as you go – you’re choosing a numb existence. You’re denying yourself an extraordinary trip.”
