Overcoming Me

Usually around this time of year is when I start writing down my goals for the next 12 Months.  I also review what I wrote down to accomplish in previous years and noticed that often times I may not accomplish every goal within the time ascribed (12 Months)  but noted that some are accomplished within a 24-36 month window and I gleefully put a check mark for accomplishment. Such a wonderful feeling to do this!

2018 feels like it moved with such immense speed. In fact, these past few years feels like each subsequent year moves faster than the last. Have you experienced the same?

I've had many high points, low points and in between this year and I'm thankful for all of them. Yes, I'm even thankful for the low points because interestingly in these moments I've discovered various strengths and been propelled to stretch  beyond myself.

I will share how I channeled inner and spiritual strength to motivate myself beyond myself these past 12 months. In addition to developing a lifestyle of thankfulness, especially during the 'low' and in between moments/seasons of life.

I am naturally an introvert; almost 'cookie cutter' introverted. Like all things, there are great positives (strengths) and negatives (limitations) to this personality style.  One of the limitations of being an introvert is avoiding small talk/random chit chat.  You've guessed it, I am not a social butterfly.  There is a difference between being Introverted and Shy.  I am  not a shy person.  I can be 'social' if I choose, but its not my natural inclination.I am naturally inclined to hide away and not bee seen or noticed.  (perhaps a main reason why I am still 'single', perhaps the main reason why I don't have a blog profile picture, perhaps the reason why I don't write too many personal posts among other perhaps..... ).

Any how, this year I decided to challenge the Introverted me and join my Organizations Toastmasters club. Toastmasters is a public speaking club/community. I knew joining that I am generally a good public speaker as each time I've had to address an audience, I receive positive feedback unsolicited. My main reason for joining Toastmasters however was to transition form a generally good speaker to a GREAT public speaker, but more personally to challenge myself to mingle and just generally talk more, on purpose. The title of my first Toastmasters speech was 'Introvert Anonymous' which I compared joining Toastmasters for me was akin to joining an anonymous group for recovering addicts. So far, so great! I am thankful that I am investing in this aspect of my life and that I choose to challenge myself in this way. I am excited to see how this investment flourishes as time progress. Plus, I get to practice my chit-chat, small talk skills when I run into a club member. #Winning #Thankful #LivingPurposefully #OnPurpose.

I am also naturally an analyzer. Just like being an introvert, there are many positives and a few negatives to having an analyzer mind.  One of the negatives limitations of being an analyzer is OVER analyzing almost everything, often times unnecessarily. For me, this also causes some degree of anxiety, high degree of procrastination and the annoying habit of indecisiveness because, thinking 'analyzing' too much into a situation, suspecting 'analyzing' a persons unspoken intent or words, needing to know 'analyzing' the what if's and all possibilities to make the right decision; As a result, I am also not inclined to take risks.
This is one of the reasons I was so eager and was so blessed to have read Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado  this book truly brought perspective to my anxious  over analyzing thoughts. I am a work in progress in this area and I am practicing daily to not think so deeply all the time, just live and let live and Faith my Fears.

I definitely can write lots more about my personal limitations and finding ways to overcome them.  It's a challenge that I look forward to improving on personally to nurture a better version of me. 

Finally, I am generally a very grateful person never hesitant to show appreciation.  I endeavor to keep strengthening this aspect of my life to always find reasons to be grateful and demonstrate an attitude of Thanks Living.

I encourage you to acknowledge your personal weaknesses and find ways to overcome them for a better version of you is waiting on ......YOU!