Stagnant? Afraid? In a rut?

In this week’s post, Mike shares the “How To” steps he used and is using to change his life.

Mike says:

Step One

First, ask for help if you need it. Here at the Swirl World we are more than happy to help you out. Michelle and Adrienne have done as much for me, and I will try my best to help anyone who asks for it.

It’s easier for a person standing on solid ground to help someone out of a swamp than you pulling yourself up by your will alone. Often the people helping you up are people just like you – they know what being trapped feels like. They know the way to get out, and accepting their help is no weakness.

Step Two

Secondly, we’ve got to be open to forgiveness. Forgiveness, not only just for those who have hurt us in the past or who may even be hurting us in the present, but also forgiveness for ourselves.

You are a human being, so you’ve made mistakes. We all do. But let’s not let the mistakes of our past crush our futures. If you keep carrying that burden, when you hit hard trials the burden is likely to pull you down further than if you had left it behind.

Focusing constantly on what you think you have done wrong and how it has brought you to your present state isn’t going to do anything to help you do things right in the future. Instead, you’ll remain stuck in the swamp.

Step Three

 Make a conscious decision to move past any shame. The shame we feel because of our previous choices can even make us believe that we deserve to be stuck where we are.

It’s a vicious cycle: Shame makes you feel you deserve to be where you are, this crippling belief renders you unlikely to call out for help, and you wind up staying where you are, even when help is available – the help that will be freely given and enable you to get back on solid ground.

Do This For Me

I’d like to get you to do something real quick. Imagine all your troubles as being that same burden. All those life decisions you made, missed opportunities, fear that you’ve missed your chance, or that you’ll never be able to get where you want to be in life.

Put them all in a big, heavy pack in your mind and feel its weight on your shoulders. Pretty heavy, huh? Makes it kind of hard to move and change your direction doesn’t it?

Now imagine a hole opening up behind you, and the pack suddenly falling from your back and being swallowed up and sealed, never to hold you down again.

All your worries, troubles and misapprehension for the future has now been taken off you. That’s forgiveness.

It means we get to begin again, at any stage, and take the opportunities given to us.

Choose To Move Forward

Swirling is going to be daunting to a lot of people, and lots will feel weighed down by the things that have happened previously. Don’t let it. Take this moment to stop, consider where you are, and drop all the negativity that impedes you.

It is never too late to make a change, and you are always better off leaving it behind and choosing a better path in life. I know I have, and I invite you to join me.

Cheers,

Mike

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In Case You Missed It

Click here to view Mike’s recent appearance on an Australian national television show.

Click here to read Part One.

Got a question for Mike? Send it to us via inbox on The Swirl World’s Facebook page or by email to ASwirlGirl@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Follow Mike on Twitter @500and50 and read his blog at 500and50.com, or message him on his 500and50 Facebook page.

Copyright © 2014 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, All rights reserved. Photo by ©John Miocevich used with permission.