For me, it was eighteen years ago. I was in my late 20's, divorced, two young children and very active, very happy with my life. I had excellent mornings getting the kids up for school, a job I loved, and worked out four times a week at the local gym as well as letting my kids get involved in every activity they could. It was my idea of happy. And then the headaches started.
Before long those headaches turned into migraines and then one day after a workout, my legs gave out. I could hardly stand. I thought I would give it a few days before I went to the doctor. Within a few days, I was in total agony and felt extremely weak. I went to the doctor. It took twelve years of doctors, specialists, and testing (some of it painful) before I would get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
I'm not going to lie, I spent too much time being miserable. As far as I was concerned, it wasn't fair. I had a plan. I had goals! And none of them included chronic pain and fatigue. So for a little while my efforts were limited to complaining and mourning every thing I had been forced to give up.
It took another six years of treatment trial and error before I found a program that worked for me and part of that program includes mindful meditation, holistic therapies, fitness and nutrition.
But positive change didn't occur at the end of exhaustive searches for the 'one' solution that would solve all my problems. The biggest change occurred when I 'decided' that no matter what I was going to be happy. If I could only do "B" out of an "ABC" day, then I was going to be happy about it, instead of being miserable that I hadn't also accomplished A and C.
Before long those headaches turned into migraines and then one day after a workout, my legs gave out. I could hardly stand. I thought I would give it a few days before I went to the doctor. Within a few days, I was in total agony and felt extremely weak. I went to the doctor. It took twelve years of doctors, specialists, and testing (some of it painful) before I would get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
I'm not going to lie, I spent too much time being miserable. As far as I was concerned, it wasn't fair. I had a plan. I had goals! And none of them included chronic pain and fatigue. So for a little while my efforts were limited to complaining and mourning every thing I had been forced to give up.
It took another six years of treatment trial and error before I found a program that worked for me and part of that program includes mindful meditation, holistic therapies, fitness and nutrition.
But positive change didn't occur at the end of exhaustive searches for the 'one' solution that would solve all my problems. The biggest change occurred when I 'decided' that no matter what I was going to be happy. If I could only do "B" out of an "ABC" day, then I was going to be happy about it, instead of being miserable that I hadn't also accomplished A and C.
When you choose to be happy in your endeavors, the work becomes effortless.
Change your words, change your mind, change your reality. And it all starts with just one choice. Be happy.