I know that in life there will be sickness, devastation, disappointments, heartache – it’s a given. What’s not a given is the way you choose to get through it all. If you look hard enough, you can always find the bright side. – Rashida Jones
At the beginning of every year, people genuinely make resolutions only to realise that as the year progresses, those good intentions do not get the commitment they deserve. Resolutions without strong-willed determination will not take you up the steep and sometimes slippery mountain slope to success.
Famous world champion racing driver Mario Andretti said: “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” Being at your brightest may demand that you confront some tough and sometimes scary opposition; this will push you to develop vigilance as you pursue the goals to which you have committed yourself.
I want to suggest that you make a resolution to be at your brightest as a person, a partner and a parent. In doing so, you may be able to bring a greater glow to your life, your partner’s and children’s lives and by extension, that of your society.
To be at your brightest as a person, you need to concentrate on two things: (1) making a choice to bring positive influences into your life and (2) making a decision to reject negative influences from infecting your life.
In making a choice to bring positive influences into your life, you need to accept the fact that God has made you very special and unique. If you cannot see yourself as being “fearfully and wonderfully made”, you may fall helplessly at the feet of individuals who may see you as a ripe candidate for abuse of all kinds. Consider these simple steps toward bringing positive influences into your life:
• Every day affirm yourself. Think positively about yourself, although family, friends and foes may be saying otherwise. Be aware that God never made failures and therefore you are not one; He designed you with tremendous potential to do great things, no matter the nature of your limitations.
• See others through positive lenses and pull that grace permanently into your life. Viewing people from an optimistic angle does not mean you will agree with everything they say or do, but you will go as far as possible to add some worth to their lives without compromising your own values.
• Bring people into your life who you have observed over time as having developed a love for themselves and the welfare of others. The quality of these individuals is seen in their goal-setting nature and proven track record of integrity and success in whatever they pursue.
• Decide to embrace the wisdom and the knowledge of the true and living God into your life. The confusion, corruption, conceit and covetousness that are glaringly evident in today’s world are enough to question the reliability of the wisdom and knowledge of mankind. President Abraham Lincoln once said: “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.”
You cannot go wrong when you trust the all-sufficient wisdom and knowledge of your Creator.
The other choice for you to consider making to be at your brightest is to reject negative influences from invading your personal space. To make that reality possible, you should consider the following:
• Remove any form of hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness from your life. These negative emotions have a way of dimming the light on your road to efficiency. Take the responsibility to discharging them from poisoning your mind. You do not have to stoop to the level of others who have created an environment to hurt you. Release them from your negative emotions and get on with developing your life.
• Dismiss people from your circle of influence who you realise are there only to take advantage of you. These individuals are like deadweights that cling to you causing you to frustratingly struggle to chase after your goals. It may be your boyfriend or girlfriend, brother, sister or anyone significant to whom you may feel obligated. You may never fulfill your dreams with such hindrances in or around your life.
• Distance yourself from people who seem to take pleasure in devaluing others and believe they have a right to do the same to you. These persons have difficulty in seeing positives in others and are in the habit of trying to make themselves look good at the expense of the wellbeing of others. Such individuals are usually carrying deep-seated hurts and cannot assist in motivating you to reach your desired objectives.
• Don’t live in anyone’s shadow where you feel compelled to follow their goals for your life. Never be a carbon copy of anyone, no matter how much you may cherish him or her. Carve and chart a pathway for yourself in which your own footprints are indelibly stamped as you work diligently toward your diverse future fortunes.
As a youngster growing up in the countryside, with no streetlights, I was always fascinated by the starry sky. Scientists inform me that there are more than 100 000 million stars in our universe, but there are only a few that stand out in brightness as seen from our planet earth, with Sirius being the brightest of all of them. Although Sirius is a part of a group of stars called the Canis Major, it appears to never be fazed or feel threatened by any of the other stars; it just keeps on outshining them and may do so, according to some scientists, for the next 210 000 years.
You can be at your brightest by seeking daily to open your life to positive influences and putting a bold “No Entry” sign to anything or person you know that may retard your progress.
Next week I will look at being at your brightest as a partner.
Reverend Haynesley Griffith is a marriage and family life consultant. Email griffitharticles@gmail.com
