Settling

Every human yearns for value and significance but many settle for mediocrity. We tolerate jobs we no longer love, deal with friends who let us down and choose complacency instead of change. 

What if – we stopped settling? 

If we are honest and given the opportunity most of us would willingly raise our hand and ask for a life do-over.  Regret is a universal emotion and 90% of people say they have a major regret about something they have settled for in their life. 

What if – we laughed more every day? 

An old Yiddish proverb says, “What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.” Laughter puts you in high spirits, gets your blood moving, decreases blood pressure, reduces stress and helps fight disease. 

What if – we spent more time doing what we loved? 

When you continue to live the way you have always lived, do the things you have always done you will continue to live the way you have always lived. Is your job paying the bills but stealing your soul? Have you so become so busy making a living you have settled for merely an existence and forgotten how to live? It does not have to be this way.

What if – we loved with abandon?

We hear the same advice in relation to many things; everything in moderation. Food, exercise, technology, spending money… do them all in moderation. We are encouraged not to go overboard. While these words may contain great advice this mantra does not work as we seek to love well. People matter. Relationships are priceless. Choose wisely, love deeply, know you may be hurt at times, but choosing to settle for a life void of giving or receiving love also carries a high price.  

What if – we stared fear in the face and did not back down?

Everyone is afraid. The only difference between those who remain stuck in fear and those who press into it is a willingness to stand tall and not back down. Do what frightens you one small step at a time. Don’t settle for a life of fear.

What if – we gave back more than we were given? 

Generosity makes our world a better place. Practiced regularly it improves the life of the giver as well as the one who receives. Giving increases happiness, fulfillment, and purpose. Generous people recognize their opportunity to make an imprint is limited. But, they refuse to settle or accept the commonly held belief of the masses that no one person can make a difference. A generosity mindset intentionally searches out creative ways to give more of themselves whenever possible. 

What if – we had the chance to do life over again? 

The prospect of being able to set things right and heal old wounds is a tantalizing thought. Relive your past but this time as the wiser, smarter person you are right now? The ultimate do-over. While we can’t actually go back in time, we can choose not to settle for a life of regret, while continually looking in life’s rearview mirror.

What if – the next sunrise to sunset changed everything? 

There are moments when we realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts, before and after. Crossroads. Transition. Change. As long as you have breath, possibilities remain.

There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.  Nelson Mandela 

Friends,  may I be so bold as to state the obvious? If you want something to change you must… change something. Rome was not built in a day and the change you desire will not happen overnight but you can begin.

Whenever I start working with a new coaching client, one of the areas we start with are what I call tolerations. We look at what drains life from them. Time after time I am amazed as they experience their own “ah-hah” moment and begin to believe change is possible. The shift in just this one arena starts the snowball rolling. They begin to believe in big and small ways life can be different and they no longer need to remain stuck in the rut they are in! Hope restored believes in possibilities. 

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12-14

What are you tolerating and what are you settling for?  

My challenge for you is to pull out a notebook or journal and spend 15-30 minutes writing a letter to yourself about what today’s post stirred up in you. Write about tolerations, settling for and hope. It’s a letter only for your eyes…. so make it an honest one.

If this has been helpful or it has made you a little uncomfortable ( this is another way of knowing it has touched your soul!) please comment below and or share with someone in your circle.

 

Blessings – I’m off to write a letter to myself too. 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  If you are interested in knowing more about coaching contact me via email nancy@intentionallife.me.