Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) April/May 2020 Aspire Magazine FULL Issue | Page 30

BY TAKING
RESPONSIBILITY, OR
“RESPONSE-ABLE,”
YOU TAKE BACK
YOUR POWER TO
RESPOND RATHER
THAN REACT, A
POWER YOU NEVER
LOSE AS LONG AS
YOU LIVE.
happened. Spending 5 minutes each day
writing about what “went well” and “why”
results in lower stress levels and resilience
toward disease. Focusing on what’s going
well in your life builds confidence and gives
you the motivation to thrive.
Be Flexible:
Like a bamboo tree in a storm, flexibility
allows you to bend without breaking, make
lemons into lemonade, and turn stumbling
blocks into steppingstones. It helps you to
view problems as opportunities for change
and remain open, receptive, and adaptable
as life unfolds.
Being flexible takes a radical trust and
acceptance of yourself, others, and the
constant changes in your life. It doesn’t
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mean you’re passively tolerant of what
you don’t like, ignore injustice, or give in to
everyone’s whims. On the contrary, you’re
able to “go with the flow” and trust that what
is happening in your life is an opportunity for
growth and change.
You may feel disappointed when life doesn’t
go the way you think it should. As a result, you
try to micromanage every situation―which,
of course, only makes things worse. Rather
than attempting to control events through
sheer force of will, lean into the experience,
breathe deeply, and relax rather than resist.
Let go of any expectations, preconceived
plans, and embrace that what has come
your way is for your soul’s evolution. This
will help you stay presently aware, peaceful,
and make positive use of the challenging
situation that has come into your life.
Let go of trying to control other people or
situations you cannot change. Use the
Serenity Prayer when you need a reminder
to accept the things you cannot change
(other people), the courage to change the
things you can (yourself), and the wisdom to
know the difference. While you can’t control
other people or certain situations, you can
choose how you respond to them.
Mindfully Respond rather than React:
Studies show that people who respond
rather than react when life comes at them
are emotionally resilient. Even though
they may have the same setbacks and
disappointments as others, they don’t
personalize them, blame themselves, or feel
like there’s something, wrong with them. By
taking responsibility or “response-able,” you
take back your power to respond rather than
react, a power you never lose as long as you