Beliefs to Inspire Your Dance
If you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change. Wayne Dyer
Any time you are faced with challenging circumstances you have a choice to make. You can hold up the white flag and crawl under the covers in retreat or get out of bed, find a place on the floor to stand and start learning to dance with this unwelcome intruder.
Dancing with the intruder of adversity has not been easy but if I were honest, I’d have to say choosing to dance with adversity has opened up the door to personal peace, growth and positive change.
What helps make this choice to dance possible?
- Controlling what goes into your mind
You are what you are and where you are
because of what’s gone into your mind.
You can change what you are and where you are
by changing what goes into your mind (Zig Ziglar).
What goes into our mind ends up shaping our behavior and influencing how we end up feeling about the life we’re living. Our minds are very powerful and if unfiltered and untrained will wreck havoc in how we respond to life’s circumstances.
When we are no longer able to change a situation –
we are challenged to change ourselves (Viktor E. Frankl).
Here are 12 beliefs that inspire my one-legged dance. As you read this list, embrace the ones you resonate with, add your own and if for some reason you don’t agree with something, let it go.
As these beliefs and others like them take root in your mind, filter down into your heart and out into your hands and feet, your ability to dance with adversity will grow and I believe your life will be enriched.
12 Beliefs to Inspire Your Dance
Belief #1: Tests and challenges are gifts God uses to build our character.
Belief #2: Don’t try to end your trouble prematurely.
Belief #3: Sadness and a whole flood of emotion is normal when you’ve had a loss.
Belief #4: Asking “What’s next?” sometimes is more helpful than asking “Why me?”
Belief #5: If you look around, you’ll always find someone worse off than you.
Belief #6: Always believe things will get better.
Belief #7: Don’t lie to yourself about how bad things are.
Belief #8: Pain can be God’s mega-phone to get your attention.
Belief #9: Purpose is “findable” during a season of adversity.
Belief #10: Take off your watch while dancing with adversity.
Belief #11: Letting people help you can actually help them!
Belief #12: God can handle anything you throw at Him so pray hard while you dance.
Which of these beliefs do you need to hold on to and reflect upon today? What would you add to the list? Take a moment to write some of your guiding beliefs in the comment section as a way to encourage others.
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About Cam Taylor
Coach, author, speaker, father, friend, leader, life long learner.
You are stronger than you think. You will never know until you try….
I always say, “why not me?” or “Lay it on me,Lord!” one more trial, and testing, etc. strengthens my Faith.
Thanks for the inspiration, Cam!
Here’s one I’m needing to embrace: take time to enjoy the slow dance that allows you to breath deeply, savour God’s love and rejuvenate from the hectic pace that tends to swallow life.
Thanks Sybille for adding your insightful “belief” to the conversation. What you say is so true! You take care.
A lot of wisdom in what you’ve said! Thanks. I like the saying, ‘It’s not what happens to you, but your interpretation of what happens to you that matters.” When tragedy strikes or difficulties arise, we can either agree with the Enemy that it is proof of God’s punishment and rejection, or we can find the Father’s heart in the midst of the struggle and climb back up on the Potter’s wheel.
Don – I like that phrase “your interpretation of what happens…” It’s an ongoing challenge to test our beliefs against CAPITAL T Truth to make sure we’re building on a strong foundation.