I have heard this statement A LOT recently, and so I thought I’d share it with you, as I believe it is a powerful way to reframe our experiences.
When I googled ‘life happens for you, not to you’ to see who to attribute it to; names like Brene Brown, Tyler Perry, Jim Carrey and Tony Robbins appeared – which I consider a strong line up of successful people who are working to do ‘good’ in this world. So hey, why not think more like them…right?
The underlying theme to this statement, for me, is that I CANNOT control what happens to me, but I CAN control how I react to it.
The challenges that life throws at me – the angry clients; the 4th euthanasia of the day; the staff member who walks out in the middle of their shift – all of these challenges are there to help me grow and become a more emotionally enlightened person. One who is able to consciously move through life, instead of being blown about in the wind.
I want to respond to life, not react to life! How about you? I feel so powerful when I can consciously choose how I want to respond to events in my day. The alternative is letting my emotions react in ways that cause me to feel helpless, sad or angry.
If I can be curious and ask what does this situation do FOR me instead of TO me, I can see the blessings in the trial. How can I move through this event and be more powerful, more insightful, more loving?
How can I see the 4th euthanasia of the day as a gift – a way that life happens FOR me?:
Perhaps it is showing me the teamwork in the office.
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The abundance of love in the world.
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The strength of my ability to hold space for clients to grieve in their own way.
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The honor of helping a patient cross over.
Perhaps it also highlights areas that I could reframe my thinking when I feel like life is happening TO me?
Like if I’m overwhelmed at the thought of losing my heart animal some day.
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If I’m thinking, ‘Why is this always happening on my shift!”
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If I feel pressured to make everything go perfectly.
We don’t need to brush aside all of the deep emotions we feel in a day. They are important reminders of how vast our emotional range is, and they can be used as beacons to point us in the direction of new beliefs that allow us to feel better.
So, my colleagues – it is ALWAYS our choice. We can see challenges as happening FOR us and continue to find peace and happiness in this profession, or we can see challenges as happening TO us, and struggle.
I encourage you to ask the question “Why could this be happening FOR my best interest?” the next time you face a challenge. That question, even if you only think about it for a moment, is the beginning of feeling powerful and in charge of your life. Dedication to asking that question daily will strengthen your ability to be a conscious creator of your life, and reap all the rewards available to you. I’d love to hear how you implement this idea in your own work life.
If you have questions about how to make this shift in your perspective from life happening TO you to life happening FOR you, please make an appointment by clicking here and select a time we can talk!