Equip yourself

 Growing up I used to watch The Dr Phil show with my late mother whenever the opportunity presented itself. After the show my mother and I would have discussions about the guests that appeared on the show and advice given to them. For your information this is a very good way to develop critical thinking skills. Watching the show definitely intrigued me, not because Dr Phil is a television idol (yes, you guessed correct, I am not one of those keeping up with the Joneses type of people) but he imparted his wisdom and helped me develop to become a great observer with his teachings.

As the years went by I almost completely forgot about the show. Until one day it popped up on YouTube. I was completely surprised by how many of his teachings I live my life by. Obviously this happened unconsciously.

Scavenging through the library the other day I uncovered a true gem called Real Life written by Dr Phillip McGraw. The book is about equipping yourself for life. In the book he uses the example: "If a black belt martial arts expert walks down a dark, dangerous alley at night and an average person with no defense training walks down a dark, dangerous alley at night, which one of the two has a bigger chance of making it safely through the alley? Well, the answer to the question is simple: the martial arts expert." Why you ask! The martial arts expert knows techniques to defend himself  and open a can of whoop ass on anything or anyone trying to endanger his life. The main message I am trying to convey here is to get yourself skilled up, so that you are prepared for different situations that can be presented by life.

How many times have you heard that the only constant in life is change? Have you ever really let this saying into your conscious awareness and broken it down into smaller, bite size pieces? Correct again, I am that type of thinker that breaks down sayings/ phrases word by word until I fully understand the intensity of the words/ phrases or quotes. My conclusion here is, that if I am always fully aware that a change in my mind, life and environment can occur at any moment in time, it is suffice to say that strength comes from the inside. Thus applied knowledge is power. Thus when change occur I do not go into panic mode as I have learned to live my life one moment at time. As it is the only thing we are sure of in this life! Last thought on this: the only person you ever will be able to control is yourself. Remember the law of nature clearly states: Adapt or die. Lol, humans are classified under the kingdom Animalia. Luckily a more specialised type of animal.

I now present to you the following saying: Life is not fixed or cured, it is managed. Yes you read correctly. You do not come from a long line of broken people! Life is not a disease that can be cured with medicine! You have only one life so best is to start living it NOW! No better time than the presents. The only time we truly have is this moment. I know, but being a teacher it is mandatory to repeat concepts. Thus learn to control your thinking, actions and behaviours and your horizons will be broadened. If you don't know how find yourself a Life Coach. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge I am a certified Life Coach. So come on pull yourself toward yourself.

If you truly want to equip yourself it is best to start taking action now. Start keeping record of your daily routine. Identify the patterns in behaviour or actions that causes you to feel lost and change it. Remember that humans are habitual creatures. But now I bring it to your attention to identify habits that is rendering you helpless. When that is identified, ask yourself why you do it and then change it. Yes, captain obvious I know that it is not easy. Your ego will try to convince you change will bring pain. Trust me I have been there and have done that! When you change you will feel liberated and it opens a new door to a magical world that works for you and not against you.

 So are you ready to make small changes to equip yourself or do you want to always relish in self-pity. The choice is absolutely yours. Remember you control yourself. As Dr Phil says: "If failure happened and you didn't learn a lesson, it is a penalty. If failure happens and you learnt as lesson, it's tuition paid to the university of life." Honestly, if you change your mind, you change your life!

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