How Do You Fix It?

Let’s assume you have experienced some setbacks during your life as a result of some bad decisions (yes, they were your decisions!). But now you have realized the error of your ways (you desire to make better decisions) and you want to ‘turn over a new leaf’. You want to start over again. Can you do it? Of course you can!

How? Simple - you make the decision now about what direction you want for your life and then do everything you can to make it happen. I think it can be summarized into prayer, patience, and discipline.

Prayer indeed is good,
but while calling on the Gods
a man should himself lend a hand.
- Hippocrates

Prayer - Use your faith to gain the strength you need to face your problems. Pray for guidance and wisdom to make the right decision. Pray for ideas on how to make your life productive. Robert Schuller says God speaks to you through ideas. Be quite and listen!

Have patience with all things,
but chiefly have patience with yourself.
Do not lose courage in considering
your own imperfections
but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.
- Saint Francis de Sales

Patience - Robert Schuller also says ‘God’s delays are not God’s denials’. That means God will answer your prayers only when you are prepared and capable to handle the answer. You must have patience while you wait for that answer. Patience means thinking, planning. Patience means controlling your emotions. Patience means growing as a person, considering more than just yourself. “What’s in it for me?” is not an option for someone who cares about others and is committed to doing what is right.

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows
with the ability to say no to oneself.
- Abraham J. Heschel

Discipline - This means staying focused on what you want from life. Staying focused on your goals. Discipline means giving up immediate pleasures in order to gain long term goals. This where your value system comes in. This is where you do what is right for you, or you scrap everything and give in to the pressures around you. This is where your integrity will be tested!

This is not an easy thing to do. It's tough. It's frustrating. It takes will power. If you believe in yourself, have confidence in yourself, you can do it!

No matter what sorrows we suffer,
what losses we experience,
or what pains we endure -
we do not have to be limited
or held back by our failures,
our hurts, or even our age.
No matter what we have done,
no matter where we have been,
through God's grace,
we all can begin again!
- Dr. Gerald Mann