Living Life Forward
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Life changes no matter how much you try to control it and keep it the same. When you experience change, loss, a new chapter or season of life, anxiety or fear, it is difficult to stay focused on the present and live in the moment. Sometimes all you do is barely exist and take care of the necessities of life. You try to hold on.
How do you survive and take steps into this different life? First, you remind yourself of your foundation – what you build you life upon and what holds you up when life falls apart. The foundation reminds you that you cannot sink beneath it. It is what grounds you in life and keeps you from completely falling apart. It is your faith, your relationships, your standards, and how you deal with change. It is a belief in yourself and the ability to forgive and let go.
In order to live life forward, you need to deal with stress, anxiety, and fear. They can have a stranglehold upon you, and you feel powerless to take any steps forward. All you feel and see is overwhelming and exhausting. You fear what might happen and believe all the possibilities of what could go wrong so you stand motionless and afraid to do anything. It is being able to develop healthy coping skills to overcome anxiety and fear and live by faith and trust.
The past tends to take control of your thoughts. It is releasing the control of the past and living in forgiveness. You celebrate the memories and give thanks for the blessings and the challenges of life. You focus on what you experienced and the love that never dies. Love just takes a different form in your heart. The past is the past. It becomes part of your foundation. You cannot change or alter anything from the past. It is accepting it, celebrating the good, letting go of the failures and hurts, and learning from the mistakes.
To live in the present, you need to find meaning and purpose in the life that is in front of you. Find new opportunities and new adventures. It is not filling your life with tasks and a “to do” list. Tasks are necessary, but if they are your only focus, you will fall into a rut and be filled with anger and resentment. You get lost in the muck and mire of life and feel stuck. You lose your joy for life.
Change your focus. Get to know and accept who you are now in this season of life. Live in front of you. Anxiety and worry are more future focused – what might happen and what if it happens. When you are filled with anxiety and worry, you do not enjoy the moments in front of you. Begin to simplify your life. What is really important and necessary? What can you let go of and not be controlled by possessions and worldly things?
All of these ideas and more will be explored in the seminar – “Living Life Forward.” There will be practical coping skills shared that will help you live more fully in the life you now have.
Next Saturday, March 21st, Elaine will be leading a seminar – “Living Life Forward.” Everyone is invited especially those of you facing loss, changes in life, grief, stress, anxiety, or for you, life has lost its meaning and purpose and you want more. The seminar will take place at Trinity Evangelical Church – 108 Malabar Drive, Upper Sandusky from 9 AM to 12 PM. There is no fee to attend. You can register (just so have enough handouts) by calling the church office – 419-294-1535. If you forget to register, you can still come. Elaine’s books will be available.
