The greatest lesson 2017 taught me was it's not the issues in life that are the problem but in fact, the way that I think that determines the ultimate outcomes of life. What we think elicits what we believe and ultimately determines what we have and receive in life. As I entered into a new year, I reflected on the challenges of 2017 and initially I sought out to make a list of all the problems I encountered in 2017 and all the solutions I could apply in 2018 to avoid revisiting the woes of 2017 again. In doing so, I began to experience mixed emotions and frustration looking back on some of the things I faced. It dawned on me in that moment that it wasn't so much of what I faced that was the issue, but my perception/ mindset about the issues. I could write a list 5 pages long, but none of this would matter if I didn't recognize that my mindset was in fact the issue!
Many of us find ourselves at some point in the next year going through the same things we went through in the previous year and end up confused as to why. I've spoken to many people who are entering the new year yet again single, yet again heart broken, yet again broke, yet again stagnant and confused as to why. I asked myself, are you tired of "yet again". I looked at my list and laughed because a list has no real purpose with the same state of mind. We find ourselves living in the "yet again" and not the "never again" because our mindset has remains the same. I'll allow myself to be vulnerable and have a real raw moment today. Going into this year, my biggest focus was to be a better steward over my finances. The truth is, that was my focus last year and the year before too. I realized that the reason my financial situation hadn't changed is because neither had my spending habits, my priorities and ultimately my MINDSET about money, which is why my finances hadn't either. If I truly wanted to see a change in my finances, I had to view money and spending completely different then I had before. It takes honesty and maturity for one to partake in a mind transformation. One has to be willing to not only acknowledge their role in whatever issue or challenges they are faced with, but also has to be willing to experience discomfort and do things that they've never done before. With this, we have to know that the PAST CANNOT EXIST in the PRESENT OR THE FUTURE! I've said this a least a million times to people and at this point in my life I TRULY BELIEVE IT!! You can write all the affirmations and resolutions you want, but until you've experienced a transformation of the mind, you cannot expect things to change.
I cannot continue to write this without acknowledging the ultimate reason I came to these conclusions. I've lived long enough to know God as my father. It was in fact his word in Romans 12:2 that sticks with me as it reminds me that transformation only comes by the renewing of ones mind. Since this, I honestly see everything so differently. The things that used to cause me stress no longer stress me because I realize stress is a negative state of mind and if I reject negativity I reject stress. This has to go beyond words. That's where many of us go wrong. We talk a good talk but we truly don't believe half the things we say. I pray that this post really encourages someone to undergo a mind operation. Ask yourself, what do I truly believe about myself? You may find the answers to why you are constantly experiencing failed relationships. Ask yourself, what is responsible money management? You may find yourself climbing out of debt and living a life of financial freedom. Ask yourself, what does family really mean? You may find relationships with your children and loved ones all of a sudden changing for the better. As I log off, I want to leave you with this:
Your thoughts are like seeds; seeds eventually wither away or prosper and grow... are you watering your seeds with life changing water or are you still counting on last years used and contaminated water and expecting a miracle?
-Nique
