Provisions: Draw on the Resources Available to You

Life Coaching Tip: If you’re struggling, consider the provisions that are available to you. Have you thought about any friends, family members, or professionals who would be willing to help? How about any resources or assets available? And what about gratitude? Have you thought about focusing on the things for which you are grateful? After all, Gratitude is one of the simplest ways to make a mindset shift, and it is always available to you.

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I was contemplating a situation that was happening in my life one morning as I walked, and I was very focused on the unfairness of it all.

Yes, even as a life coach, I was feeling sorry for myself and indulging in the “victim role.”

I use the word “indulging” because I knew what I was doing, and I knew my thoughts were not helpful—but I allowed them in anyway.

It’s like eating chocolate cake or drinking a glass of wine when feeling stressed out.  You know it isn’t going to help the situation, but in the moment, it’s hard to resist the distraction.

All humans do this sometimes. And it’s perfectly fine as long as we don’t pile shame onto ourselves later or continue indulging for so long that it creates its own set of problems.

If we stay in the “victim role” for too long, it can become a part of our identity.  This is where many of us get stuck and begin to feel helpless—a very disempowering emotion.

So, on this particular morning, one of the thoughts that helped me make a mindset shift was one of gratitude.  Gratitude is always sure to be a winner!

The thought that came to me was this:

Look at all the provisions the Universe has provided for you.  There is no reason why you can’t weather the storm!

The idea of provisions came from a Joel Osteen sermon I watched several years ago.  In that inspirational sermon, Pastor Osteen spoke about how God always gives us provisions to get us through the tough parts of life.

When I initially heard this sermon, I took this message to heart and thought about when I lost my mother when I was a young woman. My mom and I were very close—best friends, in fact—so it was a profound loss for me.  At the time, I was newly dating my now-husband, Jerry. I’ve often wondered how I would have managed the painful grief I’d faced during that time had I not had Jerry’s support to help me through it.

This made me smile because I don’t know how Jerry would feel about being called a provision, but I meant it in the best of ways.

So, that morning, as I walked, I thought of all the provisions I had in my life to help. Not only did I have a bounty of supportive friends and family, but other assets and resources as well.

I stood at my favorite lookout place over the lake and reflected on all of this.

The erosion along the shores of Lake Erie had been rather severe, and on that day, I noticed more of the bank had crumbled into the lake. I then spotted a lone tree floating in the water, still standing upright, thanks to its root system.

I felt a kindred connection with that tree.

I thought:

I’m like that tree. Standing tall and strong, I’m being held up by so many amazing supports and resources.

I was overcome with love and gratitude.

I remembered how blessed I was—and I knew, for sure then—that I could thrive, no matter the challenge.

Now let’s shift our focus to YOU.

If you are reading this and thinking, Well, fine Tracy. What if I don’t have the kind of provisions in my life that you are talking about here?

My friend, that’s just your victim brain throwing a temper tantrum. Go ahead and indulge, if you like, but then be willing to let it go, because it’s not serving you.

I have not met a human being yet who does not have some type of obtainable support or resources.

(And I should mention that I’ve worked with clients in the community mental health system and at the homeless shelter for many years.)

So, if you are going through a struggle right now, think about the provisions with which you’ve been blessed.

Are there friends, family members, or professionals who can provide support for you?

What resources can you draw from? What assets are available to you?

Be open to the thought that there are always things to be grateful for—without exception.

Gratitude is an easy way to make a mindset shift, and it is always available to you.

You just have to let it in.