What Are You Settling For?

As the new year approaches, I can't help but look back over this past year and the year before. In two years, my world changed quite a bit. Some things were under my control and others were not. Some were physically and emotionally painful and some were job related and financially scary. Things changed. And you know what? I'm forever grateful for change. Two years ago, I would not have said that. I didn't like change, but now I welcome it. Change is good. Change moves us from a place of complacency into opportunity. One tiny step outside of my comfort zone was all that I needed to explore more. What else waited right outside those imaginary boundaries that I built for myself? The answer: A Lot. A whole lot of good and wonderful things. Things that initially made my armpits sweat and my voice shake. Things that I didn't think I was capable of doing, but I did them anyway. Growth, lots and lots of personal growth. 

I challenge you over these last few days of the year to think about what you're settling for in your life. Think about your job, your finances, your health, your happiness, your family. What are you settling for? Because what you settle for will be what others that you influence settle for. Are you stepping outside of your comfort zone, dreaming, setting big goals for your life? If not, how can you expect your kids or your friends/family to do the same? What you settle for, they will settle for. Think about it. Are you setting the bar low so that it's reachable without much growth, or are you setting the bar high and stretching yourself all while teaching others to do the same? 

If you're not sure where to start, then over the next few days, consider ending every sentence, spoken or said in your head, with these seven words, "and that's the way I like it!" 

For example,

• My job stinks ... and that's the way I like it!
• My healthy is declining ... and that's the way I like it!
• I'm always angry ... and that's the way I like it!

Pretty eye opening isn't it? Change is good. You have the power to change anything and everything about your current situation. After all, ...

I challenge you to set the bar high next year and watch your world turn upside down in amazing ways. As my favorite verse in my favorite book says in Isaiah 40:31, may you "soar on wings like eagles." Don't settle for less, soar my friends. It's your time.

In closing, I leave you with a quote that has shown up in my life a lot over the past two years and it's become a favorite. 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

-Marianna Williamson

Go change the world! Shine your light! Set the bar high! Be blessed!