For the past 15 years, I have had the privilege and pleasure of writing for the Los Angeles Sentinel, and it is always rewarding when someone shares with me how much they enjoyed or learned from one of my articles. My intention for every column is to inform, educate and make people think. Often, I reveal much about myself and some of the ups and downs I have experienced on this wonderful journey we call life. I believe both writers and speakers have an opportunity to change people’s lives by changing how people think. If I can influence, inspire or make an impact on helping someone improve where they are in life, I am fulfilling my purpose of writing my column.
Recently, I had the pleasure of keeping my grandchildren for a week (ranging between 2–8 years of age) and I tell you it was a real experience. My husband said, there is a reason the young have children and not the old. Although I really enjoyed having them visit it was work. Keeping each of them occupied, fed, clean, and content was a job and one of the reasons it was work was because they never were really sure what they wanted. This grandparent experience had me thinking that many adults also are not really sure what they want.
Have you ever looked back at your life and wondered how you got to where you are? For some, the answer is unforeseen circumstances and bad choices, for others, it is setting goals and putting in the required work to achieve those goals. I make a living as a consultant and coach helping solopreneurs, start-up companies, individuals and organizations get the results they are looking for. I have observed too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. I tell my clients they must overcome their fears to live the life of their dreams. What would you be capable of if you were not scared? When I see someone stuck in life, I ask them this question: “What are you going to do about it”? Courage is not the absence of fear, courage is the conquest of fear.
To create the life, we really want we must know what it is we want. Too many of us get caught up in the day-to-day rat race and never take the time to sit down and think through what we want and what it will take to achieve it. To set realistic life goals, you must examine yourself and know what your talents/skills are, what your interests/desires are, and what are your strengths and weaknesses. I remind my clients that obstacles are often opportunities dressed in work clothes. I also ask them: “If your life had absolutely no limits and you could have it all and do whatever you wanted, what would you choose to have and what would you choose to do? How they answer this question helps me help them begin to set goals on what they really want out of life and the path to achieving it.
Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. Everyone wants to be successful but are they willing to endure pain and hardship, or being on a first-name basis with failure, or work foolish hours. To really know what you want, you must know who you really are, what you are willing to work hard for even if it means you must sacrifice to obtain it. I enjoy facing each new day and living the life God has so kindly given me. It takes work each and every day, but it is worth it!
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker
