Ralph Waldo Emerson: Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.

'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting'
Paulo Coelho

Man's Search for Meaning

Sometimes in the overwhelming challenge of trying to find soul-lifting work in this new economy, or attempting to recover from a devastating break up of a relationship or loss of a loved one, you can be left feeling discouraged, hopeless and isolated. Looking through the lens of defeat and loss, life can begin to feel flat and meaningless.

The key to pulling out of the darkness is to change the filter you look through to gain a fresh perspective. Or as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams."

When you're dispirited and feeling low it may feel like an impossible task to change your perspective. You don't exactly feel perky and positive. Yet, changing your focus from your problems and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles you face to putting the focus back on creating a life based on your dreams and aspirations is the only way out.

Birthing Greatness Hurts

Just Push into the Pain

I Know it Hurts--Just Push into the Pain

When I was in labor with my first child I failed to dilate fully so my doctor manually stretched me during the contractions that occurred one minute apart. This was the most painful and seemingly never ending process I've ever experienced. I could barely remain conscious the pain was so excruciating.

With contractions coming every minute, I would fall into a deep sleep for 45 seconds before the contractions would wake me up and the unbearable pain would start all over. As the doctor stretched me he kept saying 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain'. It took all my resolve not to kick him in the groin and tell him 'YOU push into the pain!' 

But even in my darkest moment somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind I knew when I eventually got out of what turned out to be 24 hours of hard labor, that comment, 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain', would become a metaphor for my life.

If Pain is the Teacher, What's the Lesson?

Birthing a new life--literally or figuratively has it's painful moments--but when you push into the pain and stay focused on your dreams you move through it to gain a new life. It isn't always pleasant or easy but when you achieve a dream it's worth it in the end. 

There is no way to avoid or go around the painful part of life on our way to achieving our dreams. No one 'has it easy'. But if we keep our eyes on the goal, instead of the obstacles, we allow ourselves to be led by our dreams instead of pushed by our problems, making it easier to endure the difficulties along the way.

You are the elegant host to marvels in creation

Are You Ready to Turn it Around?

💓  Where have you felt pushed by your problems? 

💙  If you were led by your dreams what would you do differently? 

💛  If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do with your life? 

Within your Heart keep one, still secret spot where dreams may go....

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Face to Face with the Second Step? 3 Ways to Get Unstuck

'Don't chase your dreams, catch them.' Unknown

Face to Face with the Second Step

I was first introduced to Richard Stine's simple black and white line drawings at a Westwood art faire while attending graduate school at UCLA. 

His series, 'Smile in a Mad Dog's i’ brought a smile to my own eyes and made me laugh.

While I lingered at his booth, lusting after his drawings, I was a poor graduate student and I just couldn't pay $30 for a simple line drawing.  I walked away without buying anything.

Over the next year, every time I found myself stalled and frustrated after starting a new project one of his images, 'Dog face to face with the second step', kept popping into my head.

I could clearly see that silly, flat-faced, wire-haired black dog with his eyes glued to, and staring at, the second step of the stairs. I was that dog. And it was exactly how I felt--face to face, not with the first step, but the second.  When I looked closely, I could clearly see the second step was in fact larger than the first.

I began to see how life was going to progress. 

Just as I was congratulating myself for finally getting the latest project or job off to a good start, I had to look out for that big second step stopping me in my tracks.

The Second Step--An Opportunity for a Fresh Start

But the light began to dawn and I came to see the second step in a positive light.

Rather than seeing the second step as an obstacle I began to view it as an opportunity to pause and assess. 

By taking note of where I was at the moment it gave me the necessary time to recommit to and refocus my direction while regaining the energy and motivation I needed to move on. 

Instead of being pushed off-track by unexpected obstacles, I learned to expect the unexpected and turn potential endings into fresh starts.

Be the Dog Face to Face with the Second Step ~ Paws and Assess

💙 What have YOU been working on that has you suddenly face to face with the second step? 

💚 What dream or vision have you been working on that suddenly feels stalled? 

How long have you felt that churning and simmering in your head, pulling you towards taking the next step? What's stopping YOU? If you were to turn that ending into a beginning, what would you do next?

What's Got You Stalled?

• Fear of the unknown
• Fear of failure
• Fear of public failure
• Too busy at work
• Don't know where to start
• No money
• Work exhausts me and uses up my creative energy
• I focus on helping other people, and then am too tired to help myself
• I don't believe I deserve to achieve my dream 

You can always feel the second step staring you in the face.

You may not always be able to articulate what's blocking you from moving forward but you can feel the invisible barrier just the same. Recognizing it's there is the first step to moving past it.

Step Up~Step In~Move Forward.

Now is the perfect time to clear your path to taking that second step. 

When you come face to face with the second step here are three ways to keep your forward momentum:

💓 Give yourself the first part of the day. Get up 1 hour earlier to devote yourself to your dream. Don't let yourself be distracted.

💓 Choose.  Choose the one thing to focus on NOW.

💓 Act today. Put your thoughts on paper, and convert those thoughts to do-able actions.  Choose to act on one step today.  

'The man who moved a mountain is the one who started taking away the small stones.'  Old Chinese Proverb 

Want to see Richard Stine's Dog Face to Face with the Next Step? Click here.

http://www.imagekind.com/Face-To-Face-With-The-nd-Step_art?IMID=8ccdf337-adad-4f57-8590-9df60e72eca8

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Feeling Weary? Take a Moment to Let it Go

You Belong to the Greater Human Tribe

Sometimes you've had enough. You just want to stop thinking, stop trying, stop pushing. 

You want to go to a place where you can just be and regain your sense of being a simple human who easily belongs to the greater human tribe. 

Take a 5 Minute Pause--Simple, Joyful, Hopeful 

If you could use a moment of simple joy and whimsy, pause five minutes to enjoy this YouTube Video 'Where the Hell is Matt?' that takes you dancing around the world. It's simple, joyful, and hopeful.

The World is a Better Place

You won't be smarter, wiser, or more beautiful if you watch it. It won't get you a job, a date or a better life.  But afterwards you will know the world is a better place. 

Renew Your Flagging Spirit

We all need moments to regroup and renew our flagging spirits. Sometimes a simple moment is enough to give us the strength to face another day or take another step. Take one moment now. You deserve it. 


Click link to enjoy video. Put it on full screen and turn the volume up. 


Where the Hell is Matt?

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

How to Stop Waiting for Life to Happen

"It's not your role to make others happy;

it is your role to keep yourself in balance.

When you pay attention to how you feel

and practice self-empowering thoughts

that align with who-you-really-are,

you will offer an example of thriving that

will be of tremendous value to those

who have the benefit of observing you. 

You only ever uplift from your position

of strength and clarity and alignment."  

Abraham

The Great Motivators Spurring Us to Act 

Winston Churchill once said, "If you wait long enough....something will happen." And so it is with our lives. The question is how long are you willing to wait?

You shouldn't fret about being bored or lonely. As uncomfortable as these emotional states are--they're great motivators spurring us on to do something different in our lives. When a situation becomes uncomfortable enough you'll use it to energize yourself to take steps to improve your situation.  

Our Tolerance for Discomfort Determines How Quickly We'll Move On

No one escapes experiencing boredom, loneliness, frustration or disappointment.

We're all forced to move through rough emotional times on our way to finding or keeping that partner worthy of a lifetime, or that life path we feel called to pursue, or simply while regaining our balance after making life transitions.  

How much discomfort you can put up with will determine how quickly you move past it. 

Some people have a higher tolerance for sitting in the discomfort of waiting to get out of these life lulls--but that isn't me. I want to get on with creating a better, more enjoyable and productive life. So it was good I discovered a way to ask myself questions that would push me to engage in activities to improve my situation early on.

 I wish to live a life that causes my soul to dance 

Spurring Yourself On

In my twenties, my major lessons included learning how to enjoy being alone while staying open to finding a mate, and learning how to get involved in activities I enjoyed. After seven years of disciplined academic life I'd learned to postpone pleasure for studies. 

Later in life, my on-going lessons became learning how to enjoy being alone despite having a mate and children, and how to reacquaint myself with what I enjoy doing after experiencing major life transitions or working too much.

I was fortunate to run across a life planning exercise after graduating from college that put me on a healthy path that still helps me enjoy my life today. This simple exercise helps me regain balance and direction whenever my life gets out of whack.  It's all about asking the right questions.

This exercise sets the proper context for asking questions to focus your attention on what matters to you.  If you're courageous enough to answer the questions,  you're on your way to a more productive and engaging life.

The Exercise Everyone Loves to Hate

This exercise takes very little time to do. You just have to start it...then follow through one step at a time.

The hardest thing about starting this exercise is many people find it uncomfortable to think about what they want. I've had people describe this and other such exercises as the most important exercise they ever did--and loved to hate.

💓 If you're tired of being bored, lonely or disappointed with life, 

do the exercise.

💓 If you want to figure out what you want in life and  want to enjoy your life, 

do the exercise. 

The key is to limit the amount of time you give yourself

to answer to two minutes for each segment.

Limiting the time you allow yourself will limit your discomfort.

THE EXERCISE

 Imagine you have 6 months to live. All activities around your death have been taken care of. What things would you want to accomplish or do? How would you enjoy spending your last days?

💙Take two minutes to list everything you'd like to do without judging what's on the list.

💚Next take another two minutes to look over your list and refine, add to, eliminate.

💛Last look at your list and ask yourself how many of the things on your list are you currently doing.

💜Pick one thing on your list to do then commit to one step. Pursue it until you've had enough then pick another one and go after that. 

Use Your Boredom, Loneliness, Frustration and Disappointment to Propel You Forward!

When I did this exercise for the first time in my twenties I looked at my list and discovered I wasn't participating in any activities I wanted to pursue. Nada. 

Having just finished seven years at the university, I had learned to postpone 'fun' activities that were not academically related. 

It was startling--and motivating. I started on a year of fun and adventure after that....getting involved in a choir, traveling, taking guitar lessons, doing art, writing a book, playing with friends--you name it--I went after it.

If this sounds like you, get going! Sure, you can wait until 'something happens' but why wait when you can begin to step into your life one step at a time.

Use your boredom, loneliness, frustration and disappointments to propel you forward!  

Plan one adventure for yourself--giving you something to look forward to--then see how that feels. If you like it you can do it again. If you don't like it, do something else. 

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Starting Over When You Don't Have a Clue What You're Doing

Getting Started is a Drag

❓ Where have you been dragging your feet starting over because you don't have a clue what you're doing or you don't even know where to begin?

❓ What would you jump into with both feet if you knew what you were doing?

Perhaps you need to apply for a new job, ask for a raise, start a new project at work, or break into a new market. Maybe you want to improve your social life, start playing more, or learn a new skill. Or maybe you're dealing with a mundane problem with your car, house, or health that needs attention.

No matter what it is, whether you've never done it before--or it's been a while since you've done it and you feel a bit rusty--it can be overwhelming knowing where to start.

Accept Your Incompetence to Get Started

Each time I begin a new venture or deal with a new situation I'm acutely aware I don't have a clue what I'm doing--and I feel totally incompetent in that moment. 

There's always that momentary fear I won't be able figure things out and I'll be stuck--helpless--in the current situation.

No matter how much I've done in my life, and no matter how competent I am to handle life, I'm always a beginner starting anew. 

The truth is we're all incompetent before we're competent when confronting new undertakings--even the great explorers. 

It takes courage and curiosity to be a life-long learner--especially after you've acquired a level of competence in your life. You must be willing to admit you don't have a clue what you're doing when you start down an unknown path.

Life~A Never-ending Series of Problems to Solve

If we think of life as a never-ending series of problems to explore, we can begin to step over the action-stopping fear of new beginnings by training ourselves to re-focus on self affirming thoughts to free us when we're prone to freeze. 

💓 'I have what it takes to handle whatever life throws at me.' 
💓 'I have all the ingredients within me to be successful'. 

Whether you're dealing with the ordinary or the utmost life-changing situation, the greatest challenge is always knowing where to start and how to overcome the inertia to taking that first step. Solve that and you're on your way.

First Things First: Create a Vision

Out of Nothing comes Something

In Moments of Unease take on the Cloak of Life Explorer

Chose to see yourself as an inquisitive, life-long explorer who is willing to fearlessly step into uncharted territory to discover the adventure of a lifetime--over and over again.

Begin by building a vision of what you want to create this time around.

Every great explorer started somewhere to create something out of nothing. 

Firm Up Your Vision 

Next firm up your vision--and add a splash of color to it to create a bit of excitement. Don't be afraid to dream big.

Embark on Your Next Great Adventure

Sail away. Step into the murky water at high tide with a belief in your ability to fully explore the world for your next great life adventure despite the fear and momentary feeling of incompetence.

You're in good company if your current situation forcing you to start over leaves you lacking confidence and feeling uneasy about your future. It is a natural initial response to outside factors forcing change.

No one feels good about losing a job or marriage and having to step back out there to figure out life again. We all lose our steam when we face obstacles that momentarily stop us from forward progress. 

What makes us feel good is when we face life head on to overcome the obstacles in our path knowing we have the strength and courage to deal with life successfully. Every time we step into the unknown, despite the fear, we build our confidence.

When starting over, take a step--any step, and then take another. Start small and keep going. 

As the African proverb says, If you can talk you can sing; if you can walk, you can dance. Start simply.  If you want to sing and dance through life, start talking and walking. 

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.


Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Let Compassion Pull You out of Self-Absorption~Sakyong Mipham

Lift Yourself Up

'Radiating from basic goodness like the sun, 

compassion lifts us above self-involvement 

and brings us out of the Dark Age.' 

  

Sakyong Mipham

~Like the Sun~

Your compassion radiates 

from basic goodness inside you

to shine on the world and others around you.

To be happy and content, look outward with compassion.

'If you want to be miserable, think of yourself.  

If you want to be happy, think of others.'

Sakyong Mipham

To Feel Over the Moon,

Be Like the Sun

If your compassion radiates

from your basic goodness deep inside...

~Choose to be like the sun~

Let your compassion for others 

pull you out of obsessive self-involvement

and into compassionate, caring 

relationships with others instead.

Too much self-absorption leads to

brooding and anxiety.

'When stress is the basic state of mind, 

even good things stress us out. 

We have to learn to let go.'

Sakyong Mipham

Compassion and Karma 

'Karma moves in two directions. 

If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. 

If we act non-virtuously, suffering results.

...This jewel is the wisdom and compassion 

that it takes to act not on behalf of ourselves but for all beings. 

This is where real confidence and competence come from. 

Once we possess this jewel, our life becomes blessed.'

Sakyong Mipham

💓Where in your life have you been self-obsessing?

💙How can you reach outside of yourself with compassion for another?

💚What happens when you take the focus off you and put it compassionately on others?

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list.