Oh this is me !

First read the words above again and then proceed to read further with a smile on your face for you have discovered your true self now. Not just you but check with family and friends and you will find that each one of them will identify with the above reality. The pain, sufferings and mistakes are often the first thing that we recollect when we try to rationalize our journey thus far. The successes we have enjoyed, the achievements and accolades received are often seen as insignificant compared to the effort, the hurdles and problems that we have battled. Yet, we would in rare moments of candidness, admit that the journey thus far has been worth it for it made us better, more resilient and definitely proud of ourselves.

The reality is that almost everyone feels that he/ she could have done a lot better if only…

We worked harder
We were a wee bit luckier
We had the daring to follow our heart
Were a wee bit more patient
Could control our emotions and manage relationships better etc.

Since the past cannot be undone, there is little to gain by ruing over it. Yet, by our very nature we tend to lapse into ruminations about the past, particularly those events/ situations that we wish could be undone. That is when, we need to be more pragmatic, be more optimistic and seek out the blessings that every experience has given us. To begin with, you are alive and well enough to still influence the course of your life and destiny. No matter what your age, what your social or economic background or what your education is, hope exits as long as there is life.

Here are 3 steps to lead a more fulfilling and rewarding life

Map your coordinates. Do a realistic assessment of your personal, financial, career related and social status. This could involve deep thinking, extensive note making and should ideally also include free and frank discussions with family and friends. Do not shy away from noting the negatives, the concerns that need to be addressed and the occasional candid but unpleasant feedback you get.

Adjust your compass. If mapping the coordinates felt like a burden, adjusting the compass is sheer torture. This is because for once you have to purposefully look to the future with hope and fortitude but with the baggage of the coordinates grounding you to reality. So while we may have fanciful ideas, imagine pots of gold at the end of the illusionary rainbow we fancy, the path would we long winded, uphill and rocky. The secret lies in generating enough passion within yourself to sustain and motivate you to that goal.

Proceed purposefully. Once the goal is clear and the current coordinates established no matter how far the goal is we need to proceed with hope, determination and joy. While hope kindles the spirit, determination propels is in the journey and it is the joy in the journey that makes the effort easier and smoother.

Look in the mirror and do you see a more confident you? If you have cone thus far, there is nothing that can stop you now from attaining your goals. Keep striding , striving and succeeding !

Try this:

Go in front of the mirror and try to get the following expressions on your face

Happiness
Anger
Disgust
Frustration
Pain
Irritation
Coyness
Indifference

(How tough or easy was it for you to do it? Do you have a better appreciation of the job of an actor/ actress when they have to emote on screen? Do you think you can do a better job of emoting in front of the mirror if you had a situation or scene or script to give you an authentic setting for the emotions to be expressed? Do you think that script is equally to the Compass for an actor?)

This post is courtesy www.actspot.com