41 of 100 Accept Responsibility for Yourself
I could cry about all this is going wrong in my life. I can celebrate all this is going right. I have a choice. I can see my life as if I were a buoy hopelessly bobbing in the ocean. I'm at the mercy of the elements. I can also choose to deal with what life has to throw at me knowing I am doing my best to move ahead.
When I look at my life as a whole, I have a lot of positives. I had a good upbringing from first generation Cuban immigrants. My wife of 31 plus years and I have raised three adult daughters. Two are contributing citizens working good jobs. The third just finished her sophomore year in college. I had a birthday last week and invited over a house full of family, friends - the loved ones in my life - to enjoy time together with food, wine and music.
My life has its shortcomings. I run my own business. I work demanding hours. I sometimes struggle to make ends meet given the up and downs on my income. Sure I wish I had more saving to buffer me through those rough patches, but that's not the case right now.
I have to look at my circumstances with perspective. As difficult as things have gotten, I'm doing alright. The sky is not falling. My worse case horror scenario isn't in play. I don't have to become a victim licking my wounds and hurting.
I can and should count my blessing. I've only listed a few of them here, but my God had shined the light on me and there's nothing happening for me to be complaining.
Just as important, I have to accept responsibility for getting where I am today. I can go into "poor me" mode regretting decisions I made in the past that make today harder than it would be otherwise. I can also considering looking at my life as a path getting me to just this moment where I am poised for greatness.
I choose to roll up my proverbial sleeves, pray for the best, expect the worst, but regardless work creatively to take the next steps to get to where I want to be.
Note to self: Just do it.