When life gives you limes, make a mojito!

For some reason I prefer limes to lemons… but that has nothing to do with this post.

This post is all about new directions and opportunities… in disguise! You see, life is throwing things at you all the time, and to make things interesting, it likes to mix things up a little bit. It would be boring if we only were faced with positive and easy-to-deal-with situations, in the same way as eating nothing but Krispy Kreme donuts all the time (I can read your thoughts… you wouldn’t mind giving it a go, right?)

For our lives to be a masterpiece, we need to experience the ups and the downs, the high notes and the deep bass that penetrates through to your soul, appreciate the darker tones as they highlight the beautiful colours that adorn the canvas of your life.

When you want to be better at something, life doesn’t just give you those skills. Instead, it gives you an opportunity to practice!

Opportunities come in all sorts of guises: situations, emails, people, newspaper articles. There are no doubt several within reach of you RIGHT NOW! We need to just tune ourselves into them, recognise our inner voice telling you when things feel right rather than our conscious thoughts that like to rationalise and tell you all the reasons why something wouldn’t work.

Think now about one of those opportunities that has presented itself to you lately, and really get conscious of the FEELING, the EMOTION, the SENSATIONS that run through your body as you contemplate the possible. Take note of what the voices are saying, but allow them to fall quietly to the back of your mind for now as you get back in touch with the part of you that really should be allowed to make the decisions. How does it feel? (maybe put some of your favourite music on as you do this… it REALLY helps!)

Now, this has nothing to do with challenge and misfortune, but the truth is EVERY circumstance in your life is an opportunity.

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently – Henry Ford

Where has that challenge opened up doors for you? How has the death of one part of you been the birth of an even more powerful and creative being? There is no doubt that there will be pain and upset associated with the ending, especially in the culture we live in. However, as we hang on to what was and what used to be, we take away the opportunity for us to move on and grow.

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly – T.S. Eliot

Maybe you are in a cocoon right now? Maybe you have been for some time? Perhaps we have been so focussed on what was good that we are afraid to turn to face the future, our new directions! You may be staring at a new direction right now, but are afraid to take that first step, because you are anchored by your past. Let go. Embrace your new direction! Your new direction may be challenging, but do not fight against it, don’t push back! Instead, get excited and allow it’s energy to drive you for a change.

How long have you been swimming against the current when the answer has always been inside of you waiting to come out, if only you get in touch with it and truly allow yourself to surrender to what is deep within. The heart hides your passion, your burning desire. We allow our minds to take control and rationalise matters, often leading to either not stopping something because of how it was in the past, or not starting something because of what might happen in the future.

You need to create an opportunity whereby you have to face your new direction: face-to-face, head-to-head, no backing down. Sometimes you will create this, sometimes the world has a magical way of creating people and situations that bring this about for you. RECOGNISE THEM AND EMBRACE THEM, rather than shying away and missing yet another opportunity in disguise!

So once again, focus on an oportunity that is presenting itself to you right now. Get in touch with the feelings and emotions that accompany it. Allow the voices to go quiet. As you do that, notice the scenarios, people and resources that come to your imagination that can facilitate your new direction. They are there, you just need to invite them and ask for what you really want. Now, think forward and notice all of the events that have to happen, both good and challenging, that are associated with the change. Take note of them, and also how they are going to happen. Then, simply enjoy the view as you get clear on where you are now heading.

Remember, you are powerful beyond comprehension. You are strong enough to face anything. Sometimes, to become stronger, you have to go through the things that knock you down. However, remember the caterpillar. As soon as you do, you will begin to develop the wings that will fly you in your new direction!