Healthy Living DIY

In article after article, we've explored the practice of bringing new beliefs, new habits, new states of being, and new healing energies into your life. But what about taking a quick look at the other side?

What mental clutter can you pitch out this spring?

How are you holding yourself back by clinging to those old, worn-out stories?

Let's say you choose to embrace a picture of the "new you" -- trim, slim, and fit. You try it on for size in your mind. You prepare to "lose weight" (you know how I feel about that phrase...). Yet your mental chatter is still about how you "have been on every diet there is and nothing works."

You set out to achieve a new financial goal. But all you can think about is your disadvantaged childhood. The other kids got new school clothes; you didn't. The other kids bought plate lunches; you ate homemade jelly sandwiches. By the time you reached high school, you had convinced yourself you didn't deserve as much as everyone else; you cling to that story today.

I have yet to meet the adult person who did not, as a child, experience some major disappointment or difficulty. Some adults have learned to place those events in a mental "ancient history" file. You recognize the people who've figured this out by their success in life.

Other adults keep their stories alive, day by day. Clinging to what happened in the past as though it was still going on now. And for them, of course, it is. You recognize those people by their sadness and confusion in life.

Not too long ago, I watched an episode of the "Oprah" show in which one of Ms. Winfrey's guests was a delightful and energetic woman named Lisa Nichols. She spoke to this particular phenomenon so well that I'd like to share her perspective with you. (I'll paraphrase, of course.)

Ms. Nichols was describing the process of coaching a person whose present is stuck together with a story about her past. "But I need to tell you my story," the person will say, "so you can see why I can't do the same things other people can. I've just had this difficult life."

To which Lisa responds, "But I don't want to hear your story! Because that story is what's keeping you stuck."

Plain and simple. Not original, but extremely well said. Lisa Nichols totally nailed it.

"I don't want to hear your story! Because that story is what's keeping you stuck."

In order to let new energy into your life, you've got to be willing to let the old stuff go. Stop clinging to the same old excuses. Plain and simple. Just like spring cleaning.

[More about excuses in our next article!]