I am not what has happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” ~ Carl Jung
“Most people suffer from the self limiting dysfunction “rear-view mirror syndrome” driving through life with their subconscious mind constantly looking in their own self-limiting rear-view mirror. They filter every choice they make through the limitations of their past experiences. Always remember that your potential is TRULY unlimited, and that you are just as worthy, deserving, and capable of achieving everything you want as any other person on earth.” ~ Hal Elrod
I wanted to start today’s post with a couple of quotes that have a very deep meaning and impact for me. I am one amongst the millions, possibly billions, that have had a traumatic past and at one point I was mired in the memories and defeating self-talk that because of what happened in my past I would never truly overcome it and ‘it’ would control my future.
Eventually (with lots of help, counselling, and research) I found my way out of the conscious self-talk and despair but it was always there in the back of my mind, even when I was my most positive self. The insight in those two quotes and others like it helped me realize what I was doing and that I didn’t have to. I could make a life that was free from the restraints and limitations of the past. It was in fact a choice I was making each and every day. I realized and even more important ‘accepted’ that since I couldn’t change the past I shouldn’t let it change me now. It kind of falls in line with one of my personal philosophies which is when my feet touch the floor in the morning I choose my mood, I don’t wait and let others or circumstances choose my mood for me. When it comes to the past I won’t let it choose who I am today or who I will be tomorrow. I choose. I choose every day.
When I fully embraced and believed in that, the sense of freedom was so overwhelming. I was no longer chained to a concrete block struggling to move forward each day. I have to admit that even though I was saying it, it did take me time to truly believe in it, but it did happen. This is not to say I have zero struggles in the present but I have learned that once I overcome one I don’t have to let it become a part of my identity.
If you have a similar background or even if you don’t I hope you too make a choice.
Until next time… I am who I choose to be.
~ Crimson