I turn 45-years-old today. In many means, I don’t feel 45. Growing up as a child and teenager, it never occurred to me that someday I would approach my middle-aged years. Now, staring right into the middle part of my life, I feel energized and happy.
Often I tell family and friends that I would not want to go back to have the opportunity to relive my 20s or 30s. I’m good right where I am right now. Knowing what I know now, compared to what I didn’t know 10, 15 or 20 years ago gives me the peace and confidence to embrace and cherish life.
To explain, a few years ago I attended a personal and spiritual development seminar. One of the exercises we completed was to create a life contract. The purpose of this contract is to provide a blueprint and an anchor when life becomes challenging. The words in the life contract are unique to each of us. The words also provide guidance and the “how” when we don’t know what to do or how to respond.
My life contract is “I am a secure, confident, self-loving man.”
Just because this is my contract, it doesn’t mean that I am always secure, or act in a confident manner. But it does provide a reference point for me.
In other words, when confronted with a situation that compromises my self-confidence, I simply ask the question, “What would a confident man do in this situation?” Looking at the answers, and seeing what fits for me, does indeed give the new-found confidence to keep going.
You can construct your own life contract, too. Be sure not to write a “not” contract, such as “I’m not going to be like my father, “or “I am not going to be unhappy any more.” Instead, think of three to four power words you can use as a rock to hold onto when the waves are crashing down on you and you feel as though you will be knocked down and swept out to sea. These words need to be somewhat of a stretch for you. Meaning, to live any one of the words will take focus and determination. For example, my wife’s contract is: “I am a worthy, self-loving, and alive woman.” She must make the choice every day to live by these words, and live on contract when faced with difficult circumstances.
So, today is my birthday. Today is a day for looking forward. I’m still learning about happiness, balance and success. But because I have this life contract, and all of the life experiences associated with it, I’m looking forward to the next 45 years of my life.
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