Self-Directed Success that can Positively Affect Everyone

by Josephine Shepperd-Dubs

In the beginning of every year (even again in the middle of the year), many set new goals, renew old resolutions or just pretend nothing ever changed and go about their usual routine - with little satisfaction.

Does any of this sound like you? If you are one of the individuals that have found your "focus" in life, and is living a healthy & happy lifestyle - congratulations! Keep up the good work and share with those around you the self-directed success! For those that still need a few more tools and encouragement, read on.

For some, goals may be anything from smoking cessation, changing/improving job circumstances, exercising more, releasing debt, weight loss, or even improving your overall outlook on life in general. So in all actuality you are just dealing with regular events that arise in day-to-day living for every human being.

Now, I know, that the standard response at this point from some is to say, "Well, you don't know what it's like..." and continue with their personal story of one event or the other in regards to one of the above mentioned or more. So, with a jest of humor, let me reassure you that I (and others reading) are as human as you, with my own life experiences - which even reflect some similarities; such as smoking cessation, weight loss/exercise, improving my career/job circumstances and over-all, just changing my outlook in life, therefore my approach and everything else just followed (and I am still a work in progress!).

So the next question is, how? Where do I start?

You start with you. I do not mean become self centered and only focus on serving your every desire. As we all know, that may have been what caused some of the issues you're facing; i.e. weight gain, smoking, drinking, excessive worry, social or relationship issues, etc. What I mean by starting with you, is coming to a realization (without the "guilt trip") that you are responsible for what happens to you; only in how you respond to circumstances, your environment, to others around you and the thoughts you choose to entertain on a regular basis. Your thoughts, your emotions, and your actions (responses & choices thereof) are what you do have complete control and responsibility over. Sound like a mouthful? Let's put it into perspective.

Spend your time first thing in the morning thinking that you are depressed, and you will feel depressed. You will continue to act depressed and draw on any stimulus that maintains that emotion. If you choose to wake up and think I am happy, I feel good, then you spend your internal energy promoting thoughts of happiness, seeking events that encourage happiness or at least looking for the better aspect of each event.

Now some of you may be saying, well that is easy when the day goes your way - but I just can't do that when things get tough and don't go as I would like. See, that is exactly where you need to deliberately & diligently correct your thinking so that you will be able to feel better and handle those circumstances with more success, anyway! When events of life get challenging, don't give into negative, low energy feelings that get you down and feeling defeated. Stand tall inside and out, and face your challenges head on (regardless if it is internal or external) and remind yourself that you can choose to have clarity of mind, be peaceful in the midst of chaos, and are worthy of success (in all areas of life) and happiness! Even choosing to be happy, peaceful and loving takes effort on a regular basis, and because this takes place within you first (not as a result of anything or anyone else), you have to make the conscious choice and diligent effort to maintain this state of being. An example may be; if you know that there is absolutely no way that you can get out of going to work at a specific type of job that has very defined responsibilities and deadlines, you can choose to go at the task begrudgingly, feeling upset, resentful, miserable, angry and dissatisfied (also attempting to effect all those around you the same way); or you can choose to go at the task joyful, thankful for what this can provide you, seeking all the opportunities and learning experiences that you can from it, feeling at peace, happy, fulfilled, purposeful, useful, even content (also effecting those all around you in the same manner). This "attitude" can be successfully applied to all your life circumstances, regardless if it is setting goals to lose weight, quit smoking, learn to want less and budget more, changing your overall perspective in life and of people in general. When you take on the "can do" attitude you will also have the desire to "follow through" too. This is using your internal power of intention and focusing your will.

Another step in the process of growing into a "can do - follow through" personality is learning to take the focus off of the ego-self; that part of self which is overly selfish and creates the defeating habits or negative thought processes. The best way to do this is to reach out to others, even in the same way that you may need your own "needs" met. If you need to loss weight, support another that needs so even more by exercising with them, and encouraging them with positive words and healthy habits. In doing so, you forget your negative self-talk and worry by focusing on helping someone else! If you are unhappy with your appearance, uplift someone else that may feel even worse. Help them match clothing, wear makeup properly, improve personal hygiene, point out their positive traits (without talking anything negative of yourself), exercise with them, and listen to them. Do this by volunteering at a local hospital or a health & fitness center and in the process, you will discover that you are blessed for what you have and were born with! Believe, conceive, sow a seed, and receive. It is amazing how we can feel purposeful every day when we live in this manner (a strong foundation), uplifting each other and choosing to be happy, healthy and peaceful, thus making ourselves discover our true purpose in life! You can do it, too!

And for those whose thoughts question; be at rest, for even scripturally it is said, "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want." (Proverbs 21:5 NKJV) In other words, you will reap benefit in being diligent in your efforts toward your goals and beliefs, but if you choose not and act with "haste", too slowly or not at all, these things will remain as only wants and desires never achieved or experienced to your benefits (or maybe for/with others). Such as it is reconfirmed in Galatians 6:9 (NKJV), "And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we are not faint." For some it is remembering also in proper care of the "self" (body, mind & spirit) to achieve peace and clarity for your ultimate goal and focus, as read in II Corinthians 6:16 (NKJV), "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

In "Scientific Healing Affirmations" by Paramahansa Yogananda, he even states that God helps those who help themselves. "Nothing is greater than Cosmic Consciousness or God. His power far surpasses that of the human mind. Seek his aid alone. But this counsel does not mean that you should make yourself passive, inert, or credulous; or that you should minimize the power of your own mind. The Lord helps those who help themselves. He gave you will power, concentration, faith, reason, and common sense to use when trying to rid yourself of bodily and mental afflictions; you should employ all those powers while simultaneously appealing to him. "...It is that [God's] Perfect Power alone that heals; all external methods of stimulation only cooperate with the life energy and are valueless without it. Medicine, massage, spinal adjustment, or electrical treatment may help bring back a lost harmonious condition to the cells by chemicalization of the blood or by physiological stimulation. These are external methods that sometimes assist the life energy to effect a cure..."

So use your God-given tools of will power, concentration, faith, reason and common sense to connect to your God-source and generate peace, joy and harmony in your life that will lead you to actively and diligently achieve your goals in weight loss, regular exercise, proper overall care of your body, mind and spirit - aiding others to do the same!

Suggested Reading:

My Best Life Now by Joel Osteen

The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Scientific Healing Affirmations by Paramahansa Yogananda

There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dr. Josephine (Jodi) Sheppard-Dubs is a Support Counselor and Natural Health Consultant. She can be contacted at Healing Solutions in Saginaw or Midland, MI. by calling 989-792-4372. She is also in private practice in Flint, MI. and can be contacted at 810-610-5822 and participates in Missionary & Family Outreach with the Community of Christ church in Clio, MI.