Tonight’s brief post is really a continuation of yesterday’s story, a conclusion…or perhaps the bridge to a new beginning…another once upon a time.
“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.”
The George Bernard Shaw quote above inspired me to be aware of blame by noticing when the word “because” shows up in my words or thoughts. I think I wrote Stop Blaming Circumstances for myself, as that word “because” has popped up several times lately.
I considered ending that post with another favorite quote that tied in.
“She left the old story behind her and stepped into another Once Upon a Time.” Unknown
After the blame stops, after we turn our thoughts around and create new circumstances that support who we are and where we are going, then life shifts. The old stories end. New stories begin.
I love the words Once Upon a Time. They signal the beginning of a fresh story. Anything can happen after a once upon a time: adventures in foreign lands, heroic deeds, true love, self discovery, transformation, great deeds.
As the story unfolds, challenges arise to test character and reveal strength. Unexpected allies appear as villains come and go. Light shines in the darkness. Struggles define identify. No story evolves without hardship. But hardships serve to move the story forward and shape the heart, if we allow them to.
Taking the focus off of old circumstances, and creating new circumstances to live in, ushers in another once upon a time. I’m so grateful. I gladly leave old stories behind.
