Sloth – Conquered by Courage

by Karen Lang, posted in Commitment to Dreams, Discovering your Destiny, Knowing there is more, Understanding and Listening to ourselves

“What is easily done can be easily undone. To move steadily forward on one’s chosen path, step after step, whether or not others are watching; to meet difficulties with the steady, relentless strength of ceaselessly flowing water—such firmness of purpose, such integrity and perseverance builds a foundation that can never be compromised.” – Daisaku Ikeda

Sloth and apathy come into our life when we stop growing and learning.

At no point in our life is there a time where we can sit back and say “There’s nothing more to learn.”  Every relationship or partnership involves give and take, surrender and negotiation, and at times this is very challenging.

We say to ourselves “If only everyone would think like I do and just come along with my plans, life would be easier.”  That illusion may seem possible in your world but the truth is we have to work with the whole for the whole to work.  We are all different and deserve to be listened to and considered.

Overcoming laziness, or the ability to do things that we do not want to do, is a crucial part of gaining success. Things simply have to get done and relationships have to be worked on. When we come to terms with this fact, that in order to grow we will have to face our fears and feel uncomfortable, life becomes easier.

Sloth is about expecting that all we have worked for and achieved will last forever because that is what we deserve.  We feel entitled to put our feet up and let someone else do the hard work.  There is nowhere to go in life when we keep this attitude.  We need to take responsibility on every level, emotional, physical and spiritual.

Making empty promises and indulging in avoidant behaviours that distract you from what you really should be doing, keeps you occupied, and unable to see your true destiny.

Courage will take you to places that you never believed possible.  It instills confidence and intuition and the ability to surrender to our ego and connect to a higher self and purpose.

The courageous learn to participate mindfully in life, focusing on what they can do in this moment rather than sitting back and scripting the same story, “If only……”

The courageous choose to explore who they are and who they can become in their relationships and in life.  They recognise that they are on this earth to experience love and that their courage will help them face their fears and adapt to the ever-changing circumstances that life presents.

There is never a more perfect time to start then in this moment.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that
something else is more important than fear.”  – Ambrose Redmoon

Unknown

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom

Whenever I have a change in life circumstances or take on a new project, I find it hard to trust in a process that is higher than my control.

Someone once compared trusting to breathing, you need to know and trust that it will happen automatically without our intervention.

“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith.” – Paul Coelho

“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” – Maya Angelou

In order for you to trust, you must understand you have the wisdom and intuition already within you and this will guide you to know what is best for you in every situation.

 

Be Patient for change

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Chinese Bamboo plant has a very unique growing pattern and I think we can learn a lot from how it develops.

It starts from a tiny seed.  You plant the seed in the dirt, and you need to water the seed everyday and yet, very little seems to happen the first year.  Despite your efforts, only a tiny shoot pokes out of the ground.

In the second year you continue to water everyday and fertilize and protect the seed…..Nothing happens.

In the third year you continue to water everyday and fertilize and protect the seed…..Nothing happens.

In the fourth year you continue to water everyday and fertilize and protect the seed…..Nothing happens.

In the fifth year you continue to water and fertilize and protect the seed.….Finally, during the fifth year, the Chinese Bamboo plant begins to grow.

In fact, it grows 90 feet tall in just 6 weeks!

The question is, did it grow 90 feet in six weeks or in five years? The answer, of course, is that it grew 90 feet in five years.

It took five years to grow the root system that would one day support a 90-foot plant.

A wonderful story and metaphor about our journey in growth.  When we first decide to make changes in our life, we are often excited and enthusiastic in our approach towards change.

As time goes on, we don’t always see the growth and changes we expect, even though we are committed to practicing a new routine.  This can be disappointing for us at times and although it’s good to set big goals for ourselves,  the journey towards them is just as important.

To see the amazing growth changes like the Chinese bamboo, we need to plant a solid foundation long-term.

I promise that when you do, you will feel 90ft tall, because you will begin to see how limitless the universe is and you will be rewarded for paving a strong foundation towards your dreams.

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Extend yourself

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions” – Ellen Glasgow

Do you feel like you are stuck in a rut?  Are you caught up in the same old routine day after day and feel like you are going nowhere?  At times do you wish you could be more or have a different job?

All of us at sometime have felt this “rut” and although all the motivational speakers make it sound easy to move out of, I have found it takes a great deal more than a change of heart.

So here is what I have learned.

It is easy to wish things were different, even dreaming them is easy.  Working towards these new goals and a change of belief, day in and day out and fighting against what feels comfortable is why people give up so quickly.

The first step is to recognise you are in a rut.  You will know this instinctively, but maybe you have not been able to put a name to it.  It’s that feeling you get when you think you  can’t be bothered doing the same thing or that you don’t want to be treated badly or disrespectfully anymore.

Once you have established that you want to make changes, seek out a recommended Counsellor or a motivational book that can give you some direction in changing your old habits and beliefs.

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates

One thing for sure is that you cannot do the same things that you have always done!  You must step out of your comfort zone and try new adventures in life.  Perhaps start a course on a topic that you are interested in,  join an activity that will connect you to people who will encourage you and extend you.

Look at your diet and exercise programme and see how this is limiting you in becoming a healthier you.  If you have always run or walked, perhaps try yoga or Pilates or join a meditation group to still your busy mind.

“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But, above all, try something.” – Franklin D Roosevelt.

It will not happen overnight, and there are no quick fixes!  (I wish) So once you are committed to making those changes, you must realise it is a choice for life and not a casual change in your attitude.

Success often comes to those who want it the most and who focus their energy on getting there.

It takes patience, perseverance and sometimes a little helping hand to get you through and if you are hungry enough to make these changes, you will find there is an unlimited source of help and energy out there for you to connect to.

Most importantly, don’t let those harmful thoughts of not being good enough or fear of failing ever stop you from moving forward.

Letting Go

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized, Understanding Forgiveness

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”  – Steve Marboli

The story below reflects how at times, we all hold onto unnecessary stress and pain in our lives.

I have found that when I am holding onto unforgiveness for anyone or any situation in my life, I feel heavy and burdened.  Forgiveness is the simplest act and yet we hold onto this pain out of an illusion of justice and for the need to protect our ego.

When we decide that living freely and more compassionately is more important that holding on, we can learn to move forward into our true self and true potential.  The lightness you will feel after forgiving and letting go will convince you it’s worth it.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” – C JoyBell

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

“Letting go with forgiveness, gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”