By Sue Ellen Haning
Columnist
“There is no man living who isn’t capable of doing more than he thinks he can.” — Henry Ford, American industrialist and founder of Ford Motor Company.
Welcome back, you giants.
Evidently the great Henry Ford recognized the giant within everyone and no doubt was connected to his. All who have at least recognized their giant within, even if you do not feel like you’ve partnered with him/her, pat yourself on the back, and please understand connecting with your giant does not mean you must be a Henry Ford. On the contrary, your giant will help you in any endeavor, no matter what it is.
If you have partnered with your Edgar or Ethel and been introduced to their way of working, my guess is that, by now, you have experienced some giant steps in getting outside your comfort zones, even if only in thought. You have become familiar with the giant stirring within you and are responding to it. Accepting and working with a giant is definitely new territory and a huge step outside your comfort zone. Congratulations, you can do it.
No; congratulations, you are doing it!
Let’s look at some of the advances we have made over the past six months in our efforts to get outside our comfort zones and experience the fullness of life.
We have become more flexible, broadened our thinking, experienced things and thoughts we never considered possible, dusted off our dreams and even realized forward momentum and come to understand the illusions in our lives and how they affect us ... oh, yeah, baby, how does that feel?
Maybe some have even taken bold steps and sold or given away all that junk. You know that junk you have to pay storage on each month because all the abundance in your life will no longer fit on your property.
There will still be days you find you are not interested in moving forward with anything. It happens to all of us. It’s called resistance. Our giants are masters at obliterating resistance so, on those days, just hand the reins over to your giant and go along for the ride. Giants can be extroverted, so look out, a lot of forward movement is possible, but you have to give them credit for enthusiasm and persistence. If you stay connected, that enthusiasm will rub off on you. I guarantee the first time you find yourself choosing to take a step in the direction of your dreams or goals, even if it’s reading a book on the subject or jotting down some of your ideas rather than sitting in front of the TV, you’ll know you and your giant are one.
Having a giant on your side will definitely encourage you to keep a healthy attitude. The single most significant decision any of us can make on a day-to-day basis is our choice of attitude.
Many think only stinkin’ thinkin’ temperaments need adjusted
Not so.
Our attitudes speak in many ways and can come through in feelings, thoughts, outlook on life, interpretation, tendencies, body language, facial expression, appearance, manner, etc. Day-to-day attitude is more important than our past, our education, our bankroll, successes or failures, fame, pain, what other people think or say about us, or our circumstances or position. Attitude is that single cord that keeps us going or cripples our progress. So, if you continue doing the same thing day after day and expect something different to happen, you are a candidate for an AA (attitude adjustment). No one is beyond the need for an adjusted attitude. If you experience no forward momentum, have not partnered with the giant within, see no changes in your life except wishing for change, an attitude adjustment is in order. When our attitudes are right there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for us. If your giant strong-arms you, i.e. sleepless nights, unable to focus, thoughts racing uncontrollably in your head, feeling overwhelmed, etc., it could be a sign that an attitude adjustment is in order.
So, how does one adjust his or her attitude? If we can stay connected to our giant and trust, follow and believe, our giant does all the work.
Example: when you get to the edge of your comfort zone and all looks dark and scary, grab your giant’s hand and trust. Edgar and Ethel will not let you fall. They will either find the solid ground or help you fly. In so doing, you have adjusted your attitude. Trusting is huge, and for those who like control, just thinking about trust can throw them outside their CZs.
It’s okay. This is once when we can say, “Just do it.”
A favorite quote of mine is, “Leap and the net will appear,” from John Burroughs, American naturalist, essayist and conservationist, 1837-1921. I’m not suggesting you do this at the edge of the Grand Canyon, but step out toward the next move in your life. With the strength of your giant by your side, that leap will feel very different than if you go it alone … the difference between a stroll on the cool, moist sands of a beach and running a mile on hot coals. I guarantee your life, not just your attitude, will instantly change if you just once leap, expecting the net to appear. We are now in the realm of believing is seeing, rather than seeing is believing.
May I remind you that you will be residing in Successful Nutsville when connected with your giant. Once again, the definition of a successful nut is one who does the opposite of what everyone else does — “successful” being the operative word.
This week, check the barometer on your attitude meter every day. Take some notes on what you observe in your attitude, day to day. Does it change throughout the day? Hour to hour? Do people or situations have a significant impact on your attitude? Does the weather have a bearing on it? Can you change your attitude at will?
Have a great week getting to know yourself better through your attitude(s) and I hope you’ll be back for the next segment: “Help, how do I control this thing?” Until then, what are your attitude challenges?
sueellen.haning@gmail.com
