the experience, I could clearly see that the biggest part of my discomfort stemmed not from the physical chaos in our home but from my reactions to the situation. I often heard myself complaining to anyone who would lis- ten, about contractor’s who don’t take responsibility for their mistakes, about how long the job was taking or just how plain uncomfortable it was for our family. Soon, my neck and back began hurting and old injuries I had long since conquered, began making themselves known again.

Well, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander and I knew it was time to ask myself my own favorite questions.

Who do you choose to be? Are your choices right now really okay with you?

o do you e to be? e switch ten your he world, ne your a more l life.”

A trip to the mirror isn’t always pleasant but self awareness is what encourages us to be that bright light in the world. Self –worth is what gives us the tools to shine. Simply put, I wanted more for and from myself. When I decided that enough was enough, in regards to my kitchen woes, I began to focus instead on the beautiful space my husband and I were working so hard to create and on my enormous gratitude. I was also able to perceive that every person involved was doing the best they could with the tools they had in their own personal tool belts in each moment. I chose

new, more compassionate perspec- tives with each person. Although I continued to expect the best job for our family and our space, I chose to

change the wattage I put out from my own personal bulb. Far more closely, I evaluated where my responsibili- ties were within the challenges we were facing and I owned how I would choose to react from that moment forward.

Not surprisingly, soon after chang-

ing the energy of the situation in my own small and private way, I received a phone call from one of the contrac- tors. He let me know that he was taking responsibility himself and had decided to fix the costly mistakes that had occurred in our remodel. He said it was important to him that his custom- ers were happy with the work of his company. Our call the day before had been very different but on this day, his response to me was, “I slept on it and I want to make this right.”

Was his change of heart the result of a ripple effect created by my reformed attitude? Possibly; but far more impor- tant is the ripple effect we both will create in the future. When we make difficult choices that are true to our own inner values, we can’t help but use those moments as a compass to direct many of our future decisions. I will cer- tainly remember how uncomfortable it was to be someone who drained the energy of others. He will also likely remember how it felt to know that his choices nearly jeopardized the good reputation of a company he worked hard to build.

The root of everything we say and do is firmly planted in how we feel about ourselves and the expectations we create for our life. We can only be that bright light if we allow ourselves to un- derstand how valuable we truly are and how much our decisions and actions matter on a much larger scale.

So who do you choose to be? Flip the switch to brighten your light in the world, and shine your way to a more joyful life.

aspiremag.net

Tips to Brighten Your Bulb

75 WATTS ~ Be Self Aware

Recognize your ability to choose how you show up in the world at all times, in all situations. Evaluate repetitive choices and reactions to the challeng- ing situations you face. Ask yourself, “Who do I choose to be?” And in light of your answer, ask, “Are my reactions really okay with me?”

If the answer is no, what reaction will you now choose?

100 WATTS ~ Consider New Perspectives

Happier people tend to see challenges as opportunities rather than misery- causing problems. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this situation?” “How will this challenge provide opportunity for growth in the future?” “Are there other perspectives in which to view this dilemma that might serve me better?”

150 WATTS ~ Empower Yourself

Decide that happiness is not a gift, saved only for the lucky and chosen few and will not be found somewhere outside of yourself. Be empowered by the fact that all that you need to choose happiness is within you now and you need not wait for it to find you. You are powerful enough to simply uncover it.

Laurie McAnaugh is an experienced teacher, coach and leader. Her mis- sion is to help guide people to look at the situations and relationships in their lives from a healthier viewpoint, while using this new perspective of power to grow and influence others. She’s the founder of Access Your Power www.choosetobepowerful.com and she achieves her mission through teaching workshops, working privately with clients and speaking to groups nationwide.

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