The Rearview Mirror and the Stuff of Life

Recently, a dear friend who has been both a coach and a mentor called me asking if he and his wife could be of any help. He had learned that I was experiencing significant challenges due to my mother's three-week hospital stay because of liver failure. Additionally, husband was experiencing a serious, but not life threatening health issue. When I heard my friend's voice and his offer, it brought me close to tears. We continued talking and he shared that all of his troubles were in his rearview mirror and not on the front hood. I couldn't help, but smile. I quietly responded that eventually these troubles wold also be in my rearview mirror.

Upon continued conversation, I confided that 20 years ago I would have not had this attitude. I probably would have been poor me'ing it as "Why me!" while dealing with these challenges. My conditioning as the older child would not allow me to abdicate my responsibility to my mother however; I would not be a consistent, calm and steady influence to my sister and to our children.

Reflecting later upon our conversation, I must admit I liked the analogy of the rearview mirror. How many times in life do we feel everything is right in our face ? on our front hood and then later see it behind us as we meet the next challenge?

Life is full of stuff hitting our front hood, and how we deal with that stuff - whatever it is ? is a simple matter of choice. By choosing a positive and proactive mental attitude, we have the ability through our unique and exceptional motivation to overcome this "stuff."

Individuals such as Helen Keller and Lance Armstrong have clearly demonstrated such positive attitudes to over the "stuff of life." Some may attribute their achievements as being magical. Yes, it may appear magical, because these individuals have learned how to align their attitudes and realized that the stuff of life will eventually be in their rearview mirror.

So the question is: "How will you deal with your 'stuff in life?"

Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, is the Process Specialist.With over 25 years of business and education experience, she builds peace and abundance by connecting the 3P's of Passion, Purpose and Performance through process improvement. Her ROI driven process solutions affect sustainable change in 4 key areas: financials, leadership, relationships and growth & innovation with a variety of industries. She aligns the strategies, systems and people to develop loyal internal customers that lead to external customers. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential:Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for June 2005 release, Leanne speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. Please call Leanne a call at 219.759.5601 or email leanne@processspecialist.com if you are seeking amazing results.

Copyright 2005(c) Leanne Hoagland-Smith, http://www.processspecialist.com

Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, & the article is not changed in any way(grammatical corrections accepted).

---

Quick Fixes: Happiness In A Bottle

This is the age of the Quick Fix - the... Read More

Change in the Workplace: Don?t Fear It; Use It!

Every day something changes at work: your products, your customers,... Read More

Release Your Agression In Your DIARY OF EMOTIONS

In order for you to make positive ground daily you... Read More

Failure is Celebration Time

Failure is my favorite subject. For I have spent my... Read More

Universal Thought Systems #4

Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More

Eight Simple Anger Management Tips

"The other night I ate at a real family restaurant.... Read More

How To Radically Improve Your Everyday Experience Of Life In Two Simple Steps

Can you do something for me?Tell me?Please don't think tomorrow.What?Yeah,... Read More

Individualized Positive Affirmations for Improving Self-Esteem

Positive self-esteem is very important if not crucial to our... Read More

Anger - The Truth Beneath

The other day one of my "challenging clients" and I... Read More

How To Stay Positive In spite of The Negativity Around You

I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More

Dissolving Stereotypes through Personal Individuality

The other evening, I was meticulously assembling and painting one... Read More

Feeling Grouchy? Heres What to Do

I woke up this morning feeling sour.No. That's an understatement.... Read More

How To Live A Life Of No Problems

For most of us our lives are a problem which... Read More

In A Slump?, Rejoice I Say, Rejoice!

Yea, I know........I hear you saying "that's easy for you... Read More

Overcoming Seductive Sadness

Unhappy moods can be like comfortable sweaters, those old ones:... Read More

Your Frame of Mind May Determine Your Health

The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More

Scary Stuff

Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More

Our Worst Enemies

Most of us love to think that our problems are... Read More

How to Deal With No

No one likes rejection. And yet it happens. Here's how... Read More

You Gotta Be Positive!

Remember Des'ree? She had a great song out in 1994,... Read More

When Laughter Does Not Come Easily

The surge of emotions.During the middle ages, the court jester... Read More

Mastering Your Moods: How To Take Charge Of Your Feelings

John Ryder awakens feeling rested, refreshed, and sensing a calm... Read More

Get Out of Your Way!

We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More

The Power Of Appreciation

As we enter this holiday season, and this time of... Read More

Dump Those Negative Tapes

Every time something doesn't go quite right (rather frequently for... Read More

Whats My Life All About?

What's my life all about is the question so many... Read More

Change Your Perception and Your World Will Change!

IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More

Lessons From Anakin Skywalker: Making Better Choices Through Recognizing And Managing Our Fears

In the latest and final Star Wars saga, Anakin Skywalker... Read More

Practice Gratitude to Improve Your Life Today

As I swooshed down the Zoom Flume water slide at... Read More

Is Your Glass (Ceiling) Half Empty or Half Full?

The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for... Read More

Power of Positive Beliefs

I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More

Universal Thought Systems/Forgiveness

Philosophy of Forgiveness:The most powerful tool that human beings possess... Read More

Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life - Books to Help You Find the PMA Inside You

Many of the books on this page were inspired by... Read More