“This was a huge awakening for me. Tomorrow is a result of what we do today or what we don’t do today. We get back what we put out there. If we want different results we have to do things differently and it all begins with what and how we think. In order to have a different future I had to think different thoughts about it.

What this meant was I could no longer continue going along has I had been. I needed to take charge gain control. I knew it may not be easy but it seemed simple enough. If my thoughts are producing the results I am getting and I don’t like these results I must change my thoughts.

I could no longer live as I had, my habitual way of thinking and behaving had to be shaken up or wakened up. I could no longer afford to be a passenger  on the ship of life I had to become the captain. I had to set a destination, chart the course, and keep on course come what may. If I was going to have a different future it was dependent completely on me.

I began by creating what I wanted and focusing on that.  I set my goal I wrote down my definite chief purpose. I have discussed this process in my posts. The point is I determined what I wanted most in life and then I kept it in mind day and night.

I noticed, however, that  my attention was not always on what I wanted. At times I was thinking about what was going on right then in the current situation. I was paying attention to circumstances that were  UNLIKE those I wanted in my future.

I noticed sometimes my attention turned to problems or situations that I deemed might prevent my intended future from manifesting. Instead of being focused on the prize I was focusing on the obstacles.

I found myself going back and forth and realized that this process was not unlike what I already had been doing. It was really no different.

What I was doing was the same as I had been doing all along.

In my past I had hoped for things but didn’t really think I could make them happen.

NOW I wanted things for the future and planned to get them but found myself noticing all the reasons and disappointments that made them unlikely. One moment I was positive the next moment I was not. One moment I was certain I was getting my goals the next moment I doubted it. One instant I imagined being wealthy later I saw the present mountains of bills and no cash to pay them.

It was just like bobbing along as cork on the currents. I was drifting wherever the currents went.

Isn’t it fascinating to notice that often we think we are doing something different when in reality we are doing the very same thing. This is like changing the color you paint the house.  The color is different but the act of painting is the same. This is why people say if you keep doing the same thing but expect different results it is insanity.

The change must be real not cosmetic. If I wanted things to be different I was going to have to develop new habits for myself.

It became clear that if I was going to make a difference for myself in my life and for my future I had to take charge of my thinking. I had to focus on what I wanted and keep it positive no matter what was going on right now. I had to do this even if I had to boot strap it. I could no longer drift along.

Boot strap it I did. I learned some things along the way too. I discovered the power of purposeful questions (Directed Questions) which I have mentioned in previous posts.

I discovered that I needed to hone my ability to return to center. I have used the example of driving down a lane in your car and the micro adjustments we have to make steering, on an ongoing basis, just to continue straight. I have used the examples of a ship or a rocket course correcting continuously in order to arrive at their intended destination.

So it became very clear to me that I had to choose my destination and set my course.  If I wanted to arrive at my destination I had to maintain my course no matter what. I could not succumb to drifting or to giving up. I had to keep doing no matter what was going on in the present.  No matter how treacherous the journey was presently, or how difficult it would become I would keep going. That was my commitment.

If you want to make you future happen you have to concentrate on it to the exclusion of all else. It should become your passion and your obsession.

When you choose your destination you have to concentrate on getting there and not all the distractions, obstacles, detours and side trips. YOU have to remain clear and intent on getting where you set out to get to. You must be of one mind and not tossed about.

You must act with purpose and determination and keep going until you get what goal.

THEN it hit me again. Yes, I could travel to my destination BUT HOW I traveled might be important too. I could travel with such determination that I missed everything along the way. That did not seem worthwhile, nor was it what I wanted. After all I wanted to enjoy life much more. That is why I made these changes.

If it was going to be just painful having a new future it would be unlikely I would stick with it. How then might I increase my odds of sticking with it.

Plenty of people through the century have talked about enjoying life along the way. Going back to a previous point in a post, people have stated you should enjoy the present. Smell the roses and ‘Be here now’.

The point is to not procrastinate and save all the good feelings for later of for some after life. It seemed the journey was an important part of arriving at the destination.

Then I realized HOW the present and future serviced each other.

In order to arrive at my destination happily and with energy to enjoy it I had to like to journey along the way as well.

NOW I understood how the present was important.

Yes, savor the present, the good, the great, the grand. Appreciate the little things be filled with gratitude. Enjoy now and think the best positive thoughts now. Enjoy everything, learn from everything because this moment becomes the next.

Yes, I could make the journey as pleasant as possible.  We continue next time.” Rex Sikes

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