Compassionate Love: Displaying Compassion for Those Who Struggle with Mental Illness (c)2017 Nancy Virden, Always The Fight Ministries
Your life matters. Period. Do you believe that? By following my recommendation in part one of this four-part series, you have opportunity to choose how you want to feel. In part two, you can choose the standard by which to measure your significance.
Here is the third of four choices that lead to being certain yours is a meaningful existence.
(3) Choose what kind of person you want to be
We have to live with ourselves. That is tough to do if regret, memories of failure, or a sense of worthlessness fills our minds. Two simple questions have the power to lift those burdens if we answer honestly and take action.
What kind of person do I want to be?
What steps will I take today toward becoming that person?
Remember Phyllis, the retired woman from parts one and two of this series. She feels lonely, hides from social interaction due to shame over her weight, and misses being needed like she was on her job for many years.
As far as I know, she has not asked these questions. If she did, she might be surprised to discover her values once again.
Knowing our values – certain of what is most important to us – is a guideline for decisions. Unfocused, I think all too often we allow days and years to slip past, sometimes complaining as they go. A victim mindset is one that blames circumstances and others for disappointments. A defeatist mindset finds no reason to strive for better. Fear paralyzes us from moving forward. Questioning whether to remain the same is healthy.
I value helping people. This has been the driving force behind most of my choices. That does not mean I always do it well, or that I haven’t made colossal mistakes. Yet because helping is important, I take steps toward learning how.
What about you? What kind of person do you want to be? What steps will you take today toward becoming that person?
Putting romance novels aside, perhaps Phyllis would enjoy reading to seniors or to children. Maybe joining her outgoing husband on one of his volunteer projects would bring her joy. She has to decide if hiding at home or being needed is most important to her.
How you answer these two questions will determine the power that regret, shame, and feeling worthless have in your future. Deciding to live by positive values will change your idea of the past. It will not own you anymore. You will look in the mirror and better like who you see.
Each small step forward is a game-changer.
Stay tuned for the final part of this series.
Today’s Helpful Word
“…then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” -Joshua
Always the Fight 