The One-Degree Shift

I don’t usually write this kind of article, it’s long and you probably need vacation time to get through it, but I am so excited and if I can make you feel good today, I’d really love it!

The paperback proof of my new book arrived. I was so excited and I even hugged it.

While I was holding this book the excitement flowed into gratitude. Wonderful people, great experiences, prosperity and well-being keep coming my way and all I could do was feel this good fortune. However, it also reminded me of where I had come from.

Not so many years ago, I became a single parent with a toddler, my finances were scarce, I had an empty bank account, seventy-five cents in my purse, no home and a trailer load consisting mainly of toddler items. The bones on the left side of my body were broken, which I put much effort in hiding the pain, because I needed to find work and no one would want to employ me if they knew the extent of my injuries. I managed to gain employment at three places, one was stacking shelves at a supermarket in the evenings and all this to build on everyday living essentials such as food, electricity and furnishings for our humble rental home.

So there I was, a single mum, worn out by my work schedule, my recovering body and the demands of an active toddler yet to my surprise it was at this adverse time that I discovered an unexpected freedom. I was free from sorrow, or for the fears and worry that could creep through daily, my daily routines prevented it, I was busy.

Most of us have jou
eys full of ups and downs. Some things go very well, and even better than expected, whereas some others bring us down to tears and frustration. Have you ever reached that point where work is um… boring, routine, ordinary, or not fun? Relationships are a struggle or confusing. Or you don’t feel comfortable in your body, or some aspect in your life.

This hapens to everyone. In varying combinations and in different areas or times of our lives. We all have happy and sad moments, we all have things we want to improve in our lives – and at times like these, changing our life can seem overwhelming, even scary. There’s so much to do…where do you start?

A great start is to stop focusing on the crappy situation! And simply…just change ONE thing, one simple shift. A one-degree shift.
Read an article you would never generally consider. Try a new store; walk in and just see what they offer. Try a different route to work. Skip in your yard