Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Apr/May 2018 Aspire Magazine Full Issue | Page 30

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Be Flexible:
Like a bamboo tree in a storm, flexibility
allows you to bend without breaking. It gives
you the ability to turn stumbling blocks into
stepping stones. It helps you remain open,
receptive, and adaptable as life unfolds.
Above all, it requires an acceptance of
yourself, others, and life as it comes. It
doesn’t mean you are passively tolerant of
what you don’t like, ignore injustice, or give
in to everyone’s whims. On the contrary, you
accept life as it comes, and trust that you
are getting exactly what you want or need to
spiritually grow.
Let go of trying to control other people or
situations you cannot change. This helps
you stay centered and make positive use
of any challenge that comes into your life.
See problems as ways to be open and
play with all the possibilities. Your life will
evolve miraculously when you embrace the
philosophy of “let’s see what happens.”
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Trust and Let Go of
Your Expectations:
Trust yourself, let go of trying to control
your life, and allow it simply to unfold. Let
go of your expectations, any preconceived
plans, and embrace whatever comes your
way. Surrender any expectations of how
life should be, and focus your intentions on
creating what you want it to be.
Rather than attempting to control events
through sheer force of will, embrace the
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experience, breathe deeply, and relax rather
than resist. This will help you sustain healthy
detachment from the any perceived outcome.
This helps you stay centered, peaceful, and
make positive use of any situation that comes
into your life. Use the Serenity Prayer when
you need a reminder to accept the things
you cannot change (such as other people),
the courage to change the things you can
(such as yourself), and the wisdom to know
the difference.
4
Respond rather
than React:
While you may not be able to control other
people or certain situations, you can choose
how you perceive and respond to them. The
moment you react negatively to anything,
pause, take a few deep intentional breaths,
and shift your attention from your head to
your heart. Learning to drop into your heart
space in the midst of a challenging situation
helps you let go of your reaction and
respond more positively. It also brings you
into physical and emotional balance.
Reflect and journal on a recent situation when
you were faced with a challenge. What was
your predominant mindset? Did you react from
your head space (fear), “Why did this happen
to me?” or did you respond from your heart
space (trust), “What is this situation revealing to
me about myself?” If you reacted by blaming,
judging, or berating yourself or others, you
reinforced a negative mindset. This actually
feeds your fear and creates more worries. Yet,
if you responded with trust that everything will
be ok, you strengthened a positive mindset.
How you respond to what happens in your life
determines a life of fear or peace.