I love a good story and I know I'm not alone. The evil villain, the adventurer or the sheer power of words captivate us and leave us wanting more. We join bookclubs to share our thoughts on the stories we've read. Great stories aren't just in books and movies. We're writing machines! Many of us self-publish our stories daily. If only we got paid for these stories. We do get compensated and it comes in the form of negative stress and overwhelm in our lives.
The stories we write range from small vignettes to the script for a feature length film. Take super-mom for example....super-mom lives in the story that she needs to do everything perfectly for everyone and often puts herself aside. The main character is both the hero and the victim at the same time. Or how about...I'll be happier when I have more money, more time ? fill in your own blanks. I've had a few clients who, as the main character in their own story, got so caught up in the details of the story - their day to day work - they somehow missed out on getting to what was really important to themself as the main character.
Stories like these do serve a purpose. They keep us busy 'doing' things so we can avoid 'being'. They protect us from taking responsibility for what's going on. They protect us from the possibility of failure or better yet, success or change. When we're the main character in the story it's often hard to write our way out. There is a way out! Write a new story that helps you create exactly the life you deserve.
Three simple steps can help you get beyond the story and eventually eliminate them so that you make better use of your time, have happier and healthier relationships and get more or what you want.
Step 1. Notice that you're in the story?.. With compassion for yourself, you may have been the main character for so long you've forgotten what it's like to be outside of the story. Sounds like a simple step and it is. The key to making any lasting changes is awareness.
Step 2. How is it serving you? What's the story all about? Don't be overly analytical here. The story likely makes you feel a certain way. What's the feeling attached to the story? What's the truth? What do you know for sure?
Step 3. Give yourself full permission to let go and let the real story unfold.
Make a choice....stay in the old story or rewrite the next chapter. How would you like things to be different, what's the step you could take in this moment that moves you in that direction?
So what's your old story? Is it helping you to live the life you deserve? Does your story hold you, as the main character, up to be your best as...creative, resourceful and most importantly whole? Start your new story today, the world is waiting and looking for you.
Debbie Kemp works as a coach to busy women who find themselves wrapped up in the stress and sometimes overwhelm that's holding them back from having a joy-filled life.
Visit Debbie at.... 'aVirtualRetreat.com'....your online sanctuary for busy women
Contact me at dkemp@avirtualretreat.com
professional maid services Park Ridge ..Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More
Raise your hand if you have ever been rejected by... Read More
Q. I've suffered a few setbacks and disappointments in the... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
CHICAGO - According to a recent article in the September... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More
Workplace stress is on the rise and it's costing corporate... Read More
Many people go through the motions during Christmas. If not... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
We all know what it's like coming home from a... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYSExperts in the stress management field have... Read More
Everyone knows that stress isn't good - that it can... Read More
We are currently living in a capitalist society where money... Read More
Seems like more and more they are all around us.... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
The United Nations declares workplace stress to be a worldwide... Read More
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
Stress is often seen as being unhealthy, but for some... Read More
Rest.It's a good thing to do. As the story goes,... Read More
The World Health Organization calls stress "the health epidemic of... Read More
1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Do you get out of your car with a queasy... Read More
Think back a few years to the nine coal miners... Read More
First, let's make a distinction between pressure and stress. We... Read More
26 ways to minimize and manage the unhealthy effects of... Read More
According to the StressPulse survey by ComPsych Corporation completed at... Read More
1. The Law of EveryoneIt is not neccessarily wrong to... Read More
Raise your hand if you have ever been rejected by... Read More
As tools for change are discussed, one tool - that... Read More
Author and speaker H. Stephen Glenn has said,"In terms of... Read More
If you have never tried combining your breathing exercises with... Read More
There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
Something the successful business person needs is - lots of... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
It is no secret that stress and related disorders are... Read More
Do you have stress in your life?......I know you answered... Read More
"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We... Read More
The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More... Read More
Life can offer us many challenges having to do with... Read More
My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More
Let's take a look at some of the more serious... Read More
Stress Management |