Thursday, April 21, 2011

Life Transitions: Negotiating A New You

You have an important meeting today. It’s so important that you decided to ask me along. You realize that I’ve done a lot of negotiating over the years. I may know a little something. Thanks for asking me. I won’t negotiate for you, but I will guide the process if needed.

We’re here, so let’s go ahead and get started.

Me: Go ahead and ask the first question.
You: Okay, Life, why have you given me such a raw deal?
Life:

Me: Maybe you could be more specific.
You: Let’s start with not getting into that college. What about that? I would have moved up the ladder much faster with a degree from there.
Life:

Me: Try something else.
You: While we’re on the subject of college: How could you have let me get into a relationship that was so stifling? How do I attract all the jerks anyway Life?

You: You know I’ve been working with that same maniac at the same dead-end job for 6 years. Isn’t it about time you gave me a break?
Life:

"Isn’t it about time you gave me a break?"

Me: Go on.
You:  Listen Life, you’ve watched me just barely get by in those same 6 years. Barely providing for my family. Is that funny to you?

You: You know my marriage is hanging by a string, I’m twenty pounds too heavy, and the payments on the house I didn’t even need are increasing. Damn it Life! How am I going to pay for it?
Life:

Me:
You: I can’t take it any more! It’s probably better if I just ended my problems.
Life:

You: Hello Life? Do you even care? Why does it have to be this way? Why? Why? (crying ensues)

"Do you even care?"

Me: Are you okay?
You: Yes, I just don’t get it. Why won’t Life talk to me?

Me: It has friend.
You: By silence? I want real answers. Is this supposed to be profound Life? Are you teaching me something?
Life:

Time passes.
You decide if it’s minutes, days, years or a lifetime.

Me: It’s so good to see you.
You: Thanks for being here again.

Me: Anytime.
You: Okay Life, I have something to say.

I’ve had a chance to do some thinking. I’ve read some. I’ve talked to a few folks. I realize I’ve made some bad choices and tried blaming you. I also understand that some things in life just happen, but our response is what counts. My response is what counts. I also have come to understand that you are only too willing to let folks have what they want, good or bad.

It seems that I’ve been wanting mainly bad stuff for myself. This was a really hard lesson.

It was painful to accept.

"It was painful to accept."

Still You: I’ve come to realize though, that whatever I put into you Life, I can get out of you. It seems so basic. Why didn’t I learn this long ago?
Life:

You: I wasn’t ready, was I? I was fixated on passing blame and making excuses. What was I thinking?

Still You: Oh well, I can’t change the past.
But I can determine to give Life what I want out of it.
Life:

Me:
You: You know something else Life? You won't need to peek through your curtains, to know that it's me knocking at your door. You can believe that when I want something I will not quit until I reach my objective. I have a lot of objectives so be prepared for steady knocking!
Life: Knocking won’t be necessary. You have the key.

You: Thanks for showing up.
Me: It’s you that showed up.

"It’s you that showed up."

 

I hope this love spreads to your innermost being. Let this be the day for you. Make it the day.

Live it LOUD!

P.S. If this post spoke to you, it will probably speak to someone else.
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