We hear of people who have lost their passion, their vision, that “fire in their belly”. They have lost friendships, jobs, marriages, and dreams. If these things are neglected and taken for granted instead of appreciated with gratitude and enthusiasm, it will cause dwindling fires. When my fire was diminishing, many people helped me to fan the flames. I studied under many mentors including Jane Rubietta, Joel Osteen, Shad Helmstetter, and Ellie Drake.
The truth is - life can become routine. When we catch ourselves feeling uninspired, when we recognize the doldrums, or our flame becoming a flicker, we need to change our FOCUS. Those times are exactly when we can take inventory and decide that we will choose to live life with more passion. We can choose to acknowledge that our life has a purpose and to believe that our life is worth getting excited about!
How do we live life free of depression and complacency? We just do it. It is a complete act of discipline. It is a commitment we make to ourselves to focus on the positive. We choose to see every day as the gift that it is. Start your day saying “Today I am thankful that I am alive. I will make the most of this day.”
It’s being enthusiastic. Some might be thinking right now, well, it’s not that easy! Let me challenge you lovingly...If that is your attitude, then you will be right! However, did you know that studies actually show that children are born with enthusiasm? So it is a natural state – but by age 10 or so, it is diminished. Our goal is to maintain- or regain -that natural state.
That goes back to focus. Do you focus on problems in your life? That is the root cause of a diminishing flame! To keep enthusiasm, focus on the blessings in your life. Look back and reflect on events in your life and how you were carried through the difficulties or blessed in the joyful times. A mentor in my business recommended I start a “Gratitude Journal”. She asked me to get a notebook and pen and keep it by my bedside. She instructed me to write down 10 things I was grateful for every night. Wow, was that an eye opener! At first, I struggled to find those 10 things. But gradually it became easier, and before I knew it, I found myself instantly aware as good things were occurring throughout my day.
Acceptance that you do have a purpose is the next step. But how do we put that into action to fan our flame? Well, I started having goals. We all need something to be striving toward. To not be in pursuit of something is against how we were created to be! We all have creative gifts and to not have a dream or a goal to implement those gifts will cause your flame to go down. Think of a campfire – the wind (dreams and goals) can stir up a fire, while the rain (negativity and lack of gratitude) will cause it to go out.
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking you don’t need goals. Maybe you believe you are “stable” or “fine” or keeping the “status quo”. The truth is that stability is a myth! That’s right. If you are alive – a living being, stability DOES NOT HAPPEN. We are always in a state of either growth or decay. What state are you in? Do you need to swing back to growth and to life?
You can - by deciding to dream a dream for your life, believing there is more for you, and by setting goals to achieve your dreams. Choose to get enthusiastic about life. A joyful, hopeful attitude can spread like wild-fire. And maybe, just maybe, you can help spark a flame for another who needs a little help!
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Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Regina Howard fulfills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others. Be Sure to Visit: Be a BraveHeart Woman
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