Life Coaching Tip: It can be tempting to let your thoughts about things you can’t control get in your way. Do you give your power to the circumstances of life, even when this works against you? If so, this story is meant to empower you! It can be a helpful reminder that it’s never the circumstances—but your thoughts about the circumstances—that determine your experience.
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It’s true, I was mad at the weather.
I mean, really ticked off. Like I spent most of my walk grumbling to myself about how unfair it was that it was snowing in May.
I’d started out on my walk in a good mood, but soon a few snowflakes began floating down from the sky and speckled my eyeglasses.
It was about then that I passed a gentleman whom my husband and I affectionately call, “Happy Guy.”
His real name is Bruce, and we often see him on our walks. Bruce always has a big, bright grin on his face and something pleasant to say. His beautiful spirit warms my heart and reminds me of how I want to show up in the world.
But not on this day.
“Happy Guy” was not feeling it.
In fact, he was grumpy!
As Bruce approached me, he pointed to his outerwear. “Hat, gloves, heavy coat in May? This is bullshit!” he said.
I gave him an agreeable nod, and then I said something coach-ey like, “Remember, good weather is coming!”
Bruce just shook his head and scowled.
It was after this exchange that I started ruminating about the crappy weather, too.
I thought . . .
Why is it snowing in May?
Winter was cold and dreary enough.
We deserve the sunshine, blue skies, and warm air of springtime!
“Happy Guy” is right—this IS bullshit!
Now, in retrospect, I realize how bananas it is to be angry at the weather. But those were my thoughts of choice that morning.
And they really didn’t serve me well.
I finished my walk that day feeling grouchy and cheated out of nice weather.
After a few hours, I noticed that I was still feeling gloomy, and I became curious about my thoughts. I wondered what was making me feel so down.
And, once I realized what was going on, I honestly laughed out loud!
I was mad at the weather!
Yep, my human brain was doing its thing . . .
It’s interesting how we can let our thoughts about things we can’t control get in our way. We willingly give our power to the circumstance, even when it works against us.
But it’s never the circumstance. It’s only our thoughts about the circumstance that determines our emotional experience.
And when it’s about the weather, it should be no big deal. Afterall, the weather changes with the blink of an eye.
But if your thoughts about other circumstances are holding you back from moving forward and pursuing your dreams—then this is a problem.
Conditions will rarely be perfect. There will likely always be obstacles to wedge you in place.
Moving forward despite the circumstances requires you to manage your mindset in a way that better serves you. Nothing is going to change if you don’t get going and take intentional action.
The path to manifesting your dreams is rarely linear, and getting there requires a willingness to adapt and adjust your course whenever necessary.
Have you been using “current conditions” as an excuse to put your dreams on hold?
One of the things I’ve learned from growing up in Northeast Ohio is not to let the weather get in the way of my plans.
You determine your future, my friend, despite whatever “weather” you may be enduring.
And sometimes you must make your own sunshine!
PS – If you want help managing your mindset so you can move forward faster and with purpose, contact me and let’s talk about it.
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