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Waking up to reality

The most difficult part of change

Like most people, I sometimes lie to myself about the state of my life. After all, it’s easier to live with blinders on and tell myself that everything is fine.

Change is difficult so why rock the boat when I’m getting by?

Taking the blinders off and waking up to reality takes courage and compassion (to myself).

Sometimes we’re in denial more than we want to admit.

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Waking up to your reality is like when you’re at a nightclub and it’s a glamorous night. Maybe it’s the most glamourous night of your life and it feels like everyone and everything is shining.

And then… the lights come on and you realize that you’ve been standing in a dirty mess of half smoked cigarettes and spilled sticky drinks in a crusty room all night.

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That dirty mess is your real life.

Acknowledging this can be painful. It’s easier to stay in the dark with a fresh drink in your hand and the deep beats reaching out to caress your skin.

Trust me, I know how difficult it can be to turn on the lights at the end of the night.

I constantly check in with myself to see where my focus is.

One thing that I’ve learned is that I getting attached to the reality that’s a mess, or the pain I feel about it when I become aware only holds me back.

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What I’ve learned to do is

Acknowledge it.

It is what it is.

Feel it. By it, I mean feel the emotions that come up when you acknowledge the truth. You can’t avoid this part. In fact, it’s essential because it’s these feelings that will inspire and propel you forward.

Work through it by taking small action steps until you come through to the other side of it and then leave it behind you.

But, whatever you do, don’t get attached to it.

Just get in the cab and go home to your cozy warm bed.