Have you thought about what excuses you use to hold you back from living the life of your dreams? Every thought and action that doesn’t continue your path towards living the happiest and healthiest life you deserve is simply an excuse to hold you back.

If you find yourself living life less than you deserve, ask yourself ‘What excuses am I using?’ In Wayne Dyer’s book “Excuses Begone” he outlines 18 excuses we use on self-defeating thinking habits.  See if any (or all) ring true to you and then reframe them into a thinking pattern that uplifts you to be your best self.

1. It will be difficult

2. It’s going to be risky

3. It will take a long time

4. There will be family drama

5. I don’t deserve it

6. It’s not my nature

7. I can’t afford it

8. No one will help me.

9. It has never happened before

10. I’m not strong enough

11. I’m not smart enough

12. I’m too old (or not old enough)

13. The rules won’t let me

14. It’s too big

15. I don’t have the energy

16. It’s my personal family history

17. I’m too busy

18. I’m too scared

Now, you have no excuse not to shine!

Originally posted at All Things Positivity

Have you ever been stung by a bee? A wasp? A hornet? I sure have and it hurts! The initial sting is the most intense and slowly it lessens and fades. Why do they sting? Bees don’t start their day seeking people to hurt. Bees sting when they feel threatened. Bees sting as a protective device.

Bee stings got me thinking about people stings. Why do people sting you with their words and actions? Ah, people sting too when they are feeling threatened and need to self protect. Some people sting in response to others as they feel stung by your words and actions. Others sting first to keep you from stinging them. Is it possible that knowing the words and actions chosen by others are coming from fear rather than hate will lessen the hurt? Perhaps if you realized their harsh words and actions were there coat of armor (stingers), it would lessen the pain for you? Perhaps you wouldn’t take it as personally and be able to look beyond their hurtful words and actions and see the fear behind it. Perhaps knowing this, you wouldn’t swat them away as your own self protection armor engages and allow gentleness and compassion to show up.

Affirmation: I choose kind and loving words and actions.

(S)he Said:

“To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.” ~ William H. Walton

“Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.”  ~ William Arthur Ward

“Speak with contempt of none, from slave to king, the meanest Bee hath, and will use, a sting.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Music to My Ears:

Bringing Home My Babe Bumble Bee

Flight of the Bumble Bee  ~Maksim

For the next week I invite you to become aware of:

Your words – do they lift you and others up, or do they hold you back?

 Your reactions – do you knee-jerk react expecting what was said and done came from meanness? Or do you look behind it and see the fear creating the situation.

Your worthiness – by affirming and validating you are worthy of great love, great happiness, and great abundance. Others words and actions can’t sting you when you are filled with self love, as you fully understand you are simply a mirror of their internal fears.

Mostly, I wish you a week of seeing the good in you and others, seeing the love in you and others, and seeing the possibilities in you and others. When you see the honey rather than the sting, you allow goodness, love, and possibilities to expand.

Until next time, BEE good to yourself and others and have a positive focus kind of week.

The fact is – you are powerful beyond measure. The fact is you have the ability to change the world through kindness and compassion. The fact is you have the ability to live the life of your dreams.  The fact is you are perfect in this now moment and have the ability to shift and adjust when experiences no longer serve you.

The fact is – we sometimes let fear lead us and sometimes it comes disguised even when we are feeling positive. Last week, I blogged on Putting a Positive Spin on when you have to dig deep. The blog was about finding the positive regardless of the circumstance and I stand by that. However, I found out today that the article written about Christina Santiago, which compelled me to blog in the first place was not factual. CLICK HERE for the factual account of the coroners office.

After reading the retraction, I realized I had jumped to conclusions of assuming the worst of someone rather than assuming the best. I assumed a coroner from a conservative state would do exactly what the original article said – not release Christina to her partner due to discrimination rather than checking to make sure it was a factual story.

Sincere apologies for spreading fear although I packaged the fear in hope. I believe my old self of decades ago defending the underdog, met up with my new self, the one who knows all is well and perfect in this moment, blended together in that post. This apology/retraction is a good reminder to always ask yourself – is it better to be right? Or better to be kind. I choose kindness. How about you?

Big hugs and mucho love,

Carol

PF Founder & Vision Keeper