Dolphins at Play… As I’ve experienced the Dolphins playing they often seem to behave quite mischievously, and it is difficult not to believe that they possess a real sense of humor and give much of their time to having fun.

Dr. Peter Evans points out in his book, “The Natural History of Whales and Dolphins”, that when young animals play, they are often learning important actions.  As I’ve watched them leap, flip, and spin in the waves it’s hard for me to imagine that they are having anything other than a good time.  Yet, Dr. Evans says their activities in the water may have a greater purpose than pure pleasure.

When Dolphins leap out of the water, it is often to see whether seabirds are gathering on the surface to feed on fish.  Noisy splashing jumps may serve to scare fish into a tight cluster for an easier catch.  Complex aerial practices that take place after feeding may be jumps for joy, but they may also serve a social function, such as establishing the bonding that comes from shared pleasure.  However, it is also true that these Beautiful Smiling Creatures sometimes play just for fun and they send out a real sense of joyfulness.

My new awareness, regarding the dolphin’s playful actions, reveals my inability to tell the difference as to whether they are having fun or their taking care of their personal and physical needs. Dolphins appear to be in gratitude in all areas of their life and enjoying themselves.

We have the ability to enjoy and be grateful in all areas of our life. We can look at our challenges as opportunities for learning and growth when we begin letting go of our excuses.  Accepting our self for who we are, strengths and weaknesses, means letting go of our excuses.  As we begin “unlocking our vision” we find the courage to let go of our fear of being judged or not liked. We can begin to let go of our guilt regarding choices that we make or where and how we spend our time.

Our excuses are harmful because they prevent us from succeeding.  Excuses put the brakes on our progress.  As we accept responsibility for our life, our choices, and how we spend our time our confidence and power return and we can accomplish anything we choose.

There is freedom when we begin to recognize where we are spending most of our time and why we make the choices we do.  We can then let go of our excuses and make shifts and changes in order to move forward.  We can begin to have better relationships, better communication, better health and well-being, better spiritual connection, and make better career choices.

Notice when you are making excuses this week and what feelings you are having.  What excuses do you make concerning your goals and dreams? What about places you’d like to go in life, things you want to do, things you’d like to accomplish, but somewhere along the way you came up with some good explanation of why you can’t have those things.

How we spend our time defines our life.  Notice in what areas you are spending your time this week. Are you willing to be with the truth instead of inventing excuses? As we become accountable in seeing the choices we make with our time we can then let go of our excuses.  We can break the habit of making excuses and the solution lies entirely within our own control.

You can have all the benefits of letting go of your Excuses.  You’ll take back your power giving you the freedom to make choices that benefit you.  You’ll be able to confidently make choices that support you regarding your money, your relationships, your career, and your free time.  You can be in your truth and be comfortable.

When you give up your excuses you’ll find clarity regarding your values, your beliefs, and what you want to commit too.  You can make choices based on your needs and wants and not someone else’s.  You will find the courage to take risks.  You’ll become authentic and move into appreciation of the life you have now.  You’ll gain the courage to ask for what you want, and with confidence and clarity you’ll move forward toward your dreams and your desires.

I’d love to hear your comments on “Letting Go of Excuses”…

Sending Love, Joyce

joyce@unlockingyourvision.com

678-380-7361

Here is a beautiful story that touched my heart as it will yours.  A wonderful, inspiring little girl, Susie, shares those special gifts of kindness, understanding, compassion, and love.

Wet Pants

Come with me to a third grade classroom…..  There is a nine-year-old boy sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet.  He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened.  It’s never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it.  When the girls find out, they’ll never speak to him again as long as he lives….

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, “Dear God, this is an emergency!  I need help now!  Five minutes from now I am dead meat.”

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water.  Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy’s lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, “Thank you, Lord! Thank you.”

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of compassion.  The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out.  All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk.  The compassion is wonderful.  But as life would have it, the ridicule that would have been his has been transferred to someone else – Susie…

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out.  You’ve done enough, you klutz!”

Finally, at the end of the day as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Susie whispers back, “I wet my pants once too…”

This beautiful story was sent to me by a Dear and Special friend, Sandy, who freely gives the gifts of compassion and love to others.  She is a wonderful example of “Susie”.    This story reminds me of how important it is for us to take time everyday to connect with Spirit.  Let’s open our hearts up, be in the present, and choose to recognize those opportunities that are always around us to support others in sharing our compassion and love.

We want to open up to compassion, understanding, and love instead of making fun of others mishaps; causing them to feel badly, guilty, and possibly feeling they’re not accepted and that something is wrong with them..  Being honest with yourself about how you would like to be treated when you make a mistake or become embarrassed will help you to give that to others.  Let’s become like “Susie” and see how much kindness we can give today.

This is an opportunity to be an example for our children, grandchildren, and others.  An example of compassion, love, and giving kindness to those around us.  We can be a small part of changing the world.

Sending you much Love,

Joyce

For me the joy of simply being open to life is being open to the challenges that are presented to me each and every day.  The joy is in choosing to look at these experiences as opportunities to learn more about myself, about others, and about life.  The joy is in the insights and awareness’s I receive which supports me in looking at life with love and acceptance.  This creates more joy. 

Joy is created as we accept our self and others for who we are – weaknesses and strengths.  We can only do this when we choose to let go of our expectations.  Expectations can set us up for disappointment.  We can’t control what other people choose to say or do.  We can only control our own choices.  Begin to recognize words that tell you your in expectations – I should, I have to, I need to, I’m expected to – and instead ask yourself, “Do I want to do this?” 

How can we let go of our expectations as we prepare for Christmas Day – by turning them into Intentions?  Once we have identified our expectations, there is a much greater possibility of attaining freedom from being disappointed in others behavior and their reaction to us, and in being disappointed in our self.  You can learn how to reframe your expectations into Intention.  Expectations are what you think ought to happen as a result of what you do, say, or plan.  It’s dependant upon an outside source.  Whereas, Intentions are your approach to life based on the person you truly are – your essence.  It’s dependant only on you – your internal source. When you are focused on your Intention you become focused in the present and you become open to life around you. 

What’s so wonderful is that when you act out of Intention instead of expectations, you begin to experience the joy of being open to life and you expand the possibility for more positive outcomes.  When you live in Intention you are able to find your courage and make the choices that support the person you are truly meant to be.  Setting an intention can support you in having your best holiday season ever.  Take the time to visualize what it is that you want to happen this holiday season.  Ask yourself these questions; how do I want to show up and how can I create my best holiday season ever?   

Gratitude’s are also valuable in supporting your intention and turning your holiday experience into something good that will help not only you but other people as well.  Gratitude’s help you to recognize all that is right and beautiful in your life and in your day.  Gratitude’s help you to acknowledge your fine qualities, abilities, and accomplishments.  Gratitude’s support you in spending your time and energy in the moment rather than trying to understand the why.  When you are in a state of Gratitude you allow your peaceful voice of intuition to become your primary guiding force.

Gratitude’s do more than make you feel good for awhile, they literally change the way you think.  Gratitude’s shift your focus so that you are aware of what you have instead of what you don’t have.  When you make Gratitude’s an important part of your day this holiday season, you will increase your ability to see opportunities and possibilities where perhaps none existed before. 

As Christmas Day approaches make a list of all the people and things in your life that you are grateful for.  Try to put aside any dread, anger, resentment, or disappointment and focus on creating good thoughts.  Think about the opportunities and possibilities that are available to you on that day.  Set an intention around how you want to show up on Christmas Day.  Become clear in your mind as to what you want to experience and what will support you in achieving that goal.  Setting an intention, being grateful, looking for opportunities and possibilities, and being clear on what it is that you want will help you to focus on the present moment and enjoy what is happening now. 

I wish you the best Holiday Season ever!!!

Blessings, Joyce

I would enjoy hearing your comments on what “Being Open to the Holidays” means to you…

Joyce Henderson

Certified Fearless Living Coach

Certified Life Purpose and Career Coach

joyce@unlockingyourvision.com

JoyceHenderson@FearlessLiving.org

www.unlockingyourvision.com

www.thedolphinmovie.com

858 945-4928 cell/work

858 486-4928 home

858 486-6407 fax

Self-confidence empowers us to live life fearlessly and happily.  Do I have Self-Confidence?  To answer that question, one could ask: Do I love myself?  Do I trust myself?  Do I believe in myself?  Do I treat myself kindly?  Do I enjoy being me?

The answer comes from our thoughts; those we think about most of the time have become our reality.  Thoughts are the result of beliefs.  At the very core of those beliefs that shape your life, your health, career, relationships, finances, and level of happiness are the thoughts you have about yourself.

Where does self-confidence come from?  It comes from the feedback of others, and from our own internal self-interpretations.  For example, does a child have self-confidence who has never experienced the love, encouragement, and praise from a parent?  Does a comedian have self-confidence who has never made people laugh?  Does an engineer have self-confidence who has never developed a design that works?  Does a lover have self-confidence who has never experienced the joys of intimacy with another?  Our self-confidence comes from the way we interpret our experiences.

Having self-confidence doesn’t mean that we don’t make mistakes.  We all make mistakes and we are all capable of criticizing self, our body, our mate, our career, and our children while neglecting to see those qualities that are attractive.  As we choose to shift our thinking and are able to look at our mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, self-confidence arises out of what was formerly disapproval and judgment of self and others.

When you have self-confidence you are able to trust yourself and begin to listen to your own inner voice.  You know you are able to rely on your own choices, decisions, and actions.  You have peace of mind regardless of your current circumstances.  You have the ability to reduce the anxiety that is so detrimental to a youthful, healthy life.

Are you willing to recreate yourself to have the life you want?  It’s important to remember that creation takes place in each moment.  It’s a process and requires you to be gentle, patient, and loving to yourself.  It requires you to accept yourself as you are now in order to become the person you want to be.  It requires you to begin choosing your thoughts.  As you continue to create the person you want to be, the new thoughts will become as automatic as the old ones had been.  Though it isn’t easy to create new mental habit patterns, with practice it becomes possible.  Expect that your self-work will give you results, and it will.

I would love to hear from you and any thoughts you have on how our thoughts  affect our self-confidence and our life.

Warmly, Joyce

joyce@unlockingyourvision.com

Phone:  858-945-4928

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