Take control of your life

Snippets of wisdom such as, 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade," make great sayings, but like most teachings, they need instructions? Should it be sweetened? Served cold? Drank amidst crises? Life for those least bothered by it is not without a few bumps along the way, so how does the other ninety-nine percent handle their challenges and barriers without going bonkers? It certainly takes more than lemonade. Most often, it takes analyzing where you've been and planning where you're going.

There are many ways people choose to live their lives, but most can narrow their choices to two if they want to live more productively and joyfully. These choices are organization and place, that is living in the present.

What does it mean to live an organized life? An organized life does not mean every item in your life must always be in place, however, it should mean every item has a place. An organized life means you have some idea or a plan for where you are going with it. There's an adage that declares, "If you don't define who you are, others will, and you will forever be relegated to that station," the same can be said of life.

The next time you engage in conversation with friends, family or co-workers, be mindful of the monikers some assign folks: that's John, the lawyer or Carl, the homeless man and so on. You see, it becomes imperative that you define yourself and you decide what your station in life is, or will be. If you are having difficulty defining yourself, why not get a sheet of lined paper and draw a vertical line down the center.

On one side, list the good things about your life; those are the benefits. On the other side, list the things that are not so good, those things that are causing you despair. Those are the costs. Think about them and determine, candidly, how and why each happened. Decide what you can do to fix things. This exercise is successful only if you don't expect change to happen overnight. Most often, the situation in which most people find themselves, whether good or bad, did not happen overnight. Tackle the small problems first. This is a first step toward taking control of your life. If the good outweighs the bad, you're not in a bad place, however, if the bad tips the scale, all is not lost, you can still change things with planning and the right attitude.

The second step is to create a profile of what you want in and from life. If you believe in a limitless universe, then your desires should reflect that mindset. Purchase a small spiral notepad and make a list of the things you believe will make you happy and fulfilled in life. Pick something small you feel you need that's on your list. It can be a washing machine or some other household item. That is merely an example, your list may contain on it whatever you believe you desire or need, ranging from sincere friends, a car, a mate, needing greater faith, to a house - the list goes on. The idea is to write down your needs, all of them, so that you have created a complete profile of the evolved individual you want to become and the things you want around you to keep you that way. Spend time each day looking at, amending and believing that all those things on your list will manifest. They will.

As you peruse your list, utilize all your senses. If it's a house you desire, see yourself in it walking from room-to-room. Hear the sound of laughter. Bask in scents emanating from the food being cooked or taking long, luxurious baths. Feel the love and harmony in every room. And last, reach out and touch what you've declared you want, and you'll have it. Be diligent and patient and you will be greatly rewarded. I've learned that life either takes or it gives; you must decide which it will be.

What does living in the present mean? There are many individuals who worry about things over which they have no control. If you have done the best you can to prepare for all the tomorrows you hope to see, and if you've prepared and educated your children to the best of your ability, you've conquered almost 99 percent of all worries. The rest are life's nagging little hindrances to peace.

I challenge you to start living in the moment and see how rewarding and less frustrating life can be. To do this, start setting aside an hour each day and live in your senses, which is akin to stopping and smelling the roses. Wherever you are, take some deep, gratifying breaths and engage all five senses to experience the uniqueness and joyfulness of the moment. This exercise allows you to get to know yourself, and how wonderful and exceptional you really are.

When you look genuinely at how to get the most out of your life, you will discover it's like going on a road trip. If you try to plan for every eventuality, which includes preparing for contingencies in case things don't go as planned, you will get to where you are going and will likely enjoy your trip along the way.