Dare To Live Without Limits

Be proactive and create your own rainbow

If you want the rainbow you have to put up with the rain.
This observation is just as true in life as it is for the weather. As much as we all want perfect, problem-free lives, it just doesn't happen. Although we may do our best to minimize problems, some adversity is unavoidable.
You create your own personal rainbow every time you overcome an obstacle. While you are in the midst of a challenge, many aspects of your reality can appear dark and gloomy. The important thing to keep in mind is that you are not in a permanent condition. The sky will clear, the sun will come out, and you will see the rainbow.
Sometimes it seems as if our personal rainy days won't end. Day after day there is no letup. Your spirit becomes dampened. Frustration sets in. Feeling discouraged is not uncommon. Although you may have been through this before, you lose sight of its finite time span when you are in the middle of it.
One of the ways you can get through the rain is to remember it will stop as it always does. You may have to force yourself to refocus on this fact. Once your thoughts change to the coming rainbow, getting though the rain becomes a little easier.
The big difference between life and the weather is that you have influence over your life. As much as you may be sick and tired of bad weather, there is nothing you can do about it. In your life, you have the power to alter your direction.
Those who are passive in their life, feel they are victims with little or no control of their destiny. They become convinced that all they can do is wait for a better day. Erroneously believing there is nothing to do, they drift with whatever circumstances are blowing their way.
Conversely, people who take a proactive approach to life get to their rainbows much sooner. They take whatever steps are necessary to get their desired results. If they are not happy with what is happening, they make the necessary changes to bring them out of the storm.
While in bad weather, proactive people open an umbrella or seek shelter rather than aimlessly wandering exposed to the elements. Proactive people see a solution to every problem. Passive people see a problem in every situation.
Proactive people take challenges in stride. They know they're normal and can be overcome. Better times lie ahead. With each storm they weather, they will become stronger. A positive outlook enables them to handle whatever situation comes along.
Here is how you get to your rainbow. Keep things in perspective. Your life will have ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad. Regardless of what you are facing, you can get through it. Seek out solutions. Find ways to overcome obstacles. You have to start by looking.
You must be willing to make changes to achieve the desired outcome. Learn from your past mistakes, don't repeat them. Take a proactive role in your circumstances. Make things happen rather than waiting for them to happen.
Do whatever you can to get through your current situation. It's beneficial to take immediate mitigating steps which will help make your situation more manageable. Being passive will prolong the storm.
Each time you reach a rainbow you gain strength. Each time you overcome adversity you will become better equipped to solve your next challenge. There is always a rainbow waiting for you. Keep going until you see it.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2024 Bryan Golden