Julie Noparstak, LCSW

Wait a second! What happened to the last 10 (20, 30, or 40+) years? We find ourselves often, creatures of our own habits. Life moves along and each day turns into another, and before we know it, months, years, and even decades have passed. We can remember it all, the highlights, the low points, and everything in between, but what one wonders, is: “How did I get here?”

It is at times like this, that an awakening of awareness comes to light. In reflection, we evaluate our situation. Life has given us rich material. Have we capitalized on it all, using opportunities to move us toward our goals and dreams, creating our life by setting goals? Or, are we holding back, weighing our options, and waiting to see what happens?

These moments of silent conversations with ourselves, opens us to finding our truth. It is a tricky business staying true to yourself when in relationship to significant others, children, co-workers, and friends. It is easy to just go along with things, but if we find and listen to the Voice within, we are nudged to consider a change of direction, and prompted to set a new goal. These ideas are easy to access, but what is more difficult is acknowledging to ourselves how much we want something, and making a commitment to ourselves to achieve it.

Who amongst us has had an idea to lose weight or eat healthier, sleep more, arrive places on time, control our tempers, stop procrastinating, or be a better ______? These are only a handful of the many issues confronting us on a daily basis. Setting a new goal and making a realistic plan to achieve it, takes us out of the habitual movement of life and into achieving the dreams within our hearts. “I would be so happy if _______” becomes, instead, “I am so happy I am ________.”

Facing our demons, those habitual things we do that hold us back, can be frightening, so much so, that we avoid the changes we need to make. “It is so complicated,” we think. “It is impossible,” and that is how it continues on, year after year, unless we stop time, for some reflection. When we feel discord, we must resolve it, to maintain a clear grasp of our direction in life, rather than just getting by, day to day. Who you are, in managing your own life, determines whether the passing of time is one of achieving and living your dreams, or not. What inspires you? Can you believe in it enough to make it part of your life? Only time will tell.