Enthusiasm!!!
by
Marie T. Russell
I
have noticed that some days, I wake early,
full of energy and zest. I get up feeling
ready to "take on" the world.
On the
other hand, there are some mornings where I
can't seem to get moving. Now, I am not
talking of those mornings when I may be
physically tired and need the extra sleep. I
speak rather of those mornings when I've had
enough hours of rest, yet can't seem to get
motivated to "rise and shine".
At
those times, I ask myself what it is that I
want to escape. "What is it in my life
that keeps me from feeling enthusiastic about
the upcoming day?" Of course it is easy
to lay the blame on someone else. It's
so-and-so's fault I'm angry, it's their fault
I'm depressed, etc.
Yet
when I'm honest with myself it's always my
action (or inaction) that is the source of my
lack of energy. Sometimes, it is a call that I
have been putting off because I fear it won't
be successful; at other times, there is a
situation or person that I don't want to deal
with. There is usually something I am trying
to avoid, and rather than have to face it, my
avoidance is translated into a listless
feeling of wanting to stay in bed. Rather than
find a constructive way to deal with the
situation, sleep seems to be the easier route.
So I avoid taking responsibility by slipping
into a state of avoidance, of listlessness.
The
question is: is that really the easier way --
to procrastinate and try to avoid what we fear
about the day ahead of us?
You can't put
anything off forever. You may think that you
can, that you have shelved something
"forever", yet your sub-conscious
will remember and keep reminding you in
subliminal ways. You will carry that feeling
of the `blah's' until you deal with what is
causing you to feel that way.
Unresolved
issues are a drain on your energy. It is as if
you have a tube connected to the `problem' and
energy keeps leaking from you until you sever
the connection by changing your attitude,
taking action, and resolving the issue.
- Are
you enthusiastic about life?
- Do you wake up
excited to face another day?
- Are you
interested in your work, and are you involved
in it with intensity, energy, and zeal?
- Are
you doing what you would choose to do were you
to make a completely fresh start?
- Are you
committing your time to activities you enjoy?
For one to live a happy and fulfilled life,
the answer to these questions needs to be an
enthusiastic YES. Otherwise, you are dragging
yourself about, performing tasks which don't
really interest you.
So,
if you wake up in the morning and feel as if
you don't want to get up out of bed, I would
suggest you take responsibility for that
feeling and ask yourself what it is you are
running from and then deal with the situation.
Once you've get rid of those "unsolved
mysteries", you will find that you've
regained your lost enthusiasm and your life
will be much more enjoyable. The avoidance of
expected pain or imagined confrontations
translates into a mediocre existence lacking
in joy and vitality. Your level of vibrancy
will be very different when you affirm and
practice an enthusiastic and responsive
approach to life.
Life
can be joyful and happy. You can be like an
exuberant child again -- eager to face the
toys and joys of the day, and wanting to
participate in all of the excitement life has
to offer.
Take a look at your life and see
where you are siphoning off your own energy.
Fix your `leaky pipes' and live your life
enthusiastically, always expecting the best,
and looking forward to what each new day will
bring.
Life's
purpose is to live creatively, fulfilling our
innermost and highest desires. Go for it!
When
you reach for your dreams and jump into them
enthusiastically, taking responsibility for
your thoughts and actions, you will be a much
happier (and healthier) person.
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