Ask Mark Ward

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Direct your Story.

From time to time, my messages of "positivity" are misinterpreted. Some conclude that I am suggesting that you embrace and celebrate every challenge and circumstance in your life. This is not the case.

It's not about enjoying every minute, aspect, trial and tribulation of your life. It is certainly not about pretending to enjoy every aspect of your life when you really are not. It is about (always about) the story that you tell yourself about your life as a whole. The pothole is not the road. It IS about not confusing the moment, difficulty, challenge, aggravation, or inconvenience with your life in totality or with the trajectory of your future. This is important because cause & effect is a law that rules the universe. Your life now is, in large part, the effect of previous choices. The choice that you make in your response to uncomfortable, unwelcome circumstances or events will mold, construct and determine your future moments (the condition that is your life).

This is tricky for some because many confuse it with lying about how you actually feel in the moment (in other words, professing positive bullshit in the midst of a very painful moment). You cannot get beyond what you refuse to acknowledge, so it is important to honor how you feel. Confess it. Feel it. If you need to cry, cry. If you feel rage, hit a punching bag, scream in the shower, whatever you need to do. Just don't leave it there or confuse this moment with your life.

Affirmations are powerful in constructing the story that you tell yourself because you are the author of your story. The story that you tell (when continually practiced, expressed and told) will become your truth. Be mindful not to confuse affirmations with blowing smoke up your own ass. It is not about affirming that which is not true. It is about directing your faith to what will be despite what is. In other words, "I have been feeling depressed, sad and overwhelmed and I am choosing to believe that this is simply a difficult moment. I will get through this, I will conquer this challenge and will emerge stronger, better and more effective than before. I will soon emerge victoriously. I am getting better and better."

Success or sabotage? It's not about what happens to you in your life. It is about how you choose to respond to it. It is the story that you tell yourself about your life that ultimately determines your condition.

Is this going to be an incredible day? What is the story that you are telling yourself?