September is the month I like to check in on everyone. Summer’s over, and the holiday season is still a ways off, so this seems like a good time to take a moment and reflect.
How are things going for you? Your children are probably excited and a bit anxious about the new school year. Friends, activities, teachers and schoolwork all factor into this equation. As a parent, you’re probably a bit relieved from the overactive summer schedule and trying to stay up-to-date with your responsibilities while fitting in some fun for yourself, as well. For those whose children are just starting kindergarten or hitting another milestone (i.e., middle school or high school), you’re probably feeling a bit melancholy about the new school year. Realizing that they really do, as they say, “grow up too fast;” and, if they’ve just left for college, well then, you have empty nest syndrome to look forward to.
September can be a trying month. But, it can also be a nice opportunity to reboot ourselves, our lives, our schedules, our plans, goals, healthy lifestyle and more. Consider this a pause of sorts, a time to focus more clearly on what YOU need. What is it you wanted to do when the year began, but you never got around to it? What would you like to do now if you had the time and resources available to achieve it? Don’t let obstacles and challenges stop you. I learned long ago that opportunity rarely knocks when you’re standing at the door ready to open it. It knocks, more often, when you’re distracted by everything else. Sometimes, you don’t see it. Other times, you see it, and you make the mistake of thinking it’ll wait patiently for you to open the door. It doesn’t; it has other doors to knock on. If you’re not interested, opportunity moves on. This month, if you hear the knock, do what you have to do to get to that door and open it with a smile on your face.
If you’re unsure of yourself, not confident in your abilities or simply don’t know what you want to do next, regardless of what it relates to, all is not lost. Despite what you may be thinking and feeling, this is actually a good time to sort it out. If you need to get more training, educate yourself more about the topic, make some connections, join a group that is doing what you want to do or whatever else you need to prepare yourself to overcome those doubts and uncertainty, now’s the time to do it. Most of us don’t just inherit the talent, skills, abilities and more to do all that we would like to accomplish. It begins with desire and enthusiasm for your objective, and then you continue to move forward. Don’t worry about your progress at first; just keep moving. Keep researching, learning, gaining experience, meeting the right people and doing what you need to do to put yourself in the best position to reach your goal. By moving forward, inch by inch, you advance closer and closer to where you want to be. If you’re extra fortunate, it may even bring you to a place you never thought about, that exceeds your expectations. It happens more than you might think.
Relationship concerns? Here’s good advice from Zig Ziglar, “Husbands and wives, have fun with each other. I’m convinced it makes all the difference in the world.”
If it’s a pause for relief you’re seeking at this moment, take a breather. If you’re experiencing a hard time, Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “To live is to suffer; to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Find this meaning and then, “take the weapon used against you and make it your shield.” (Governor Gretchen Whitmer)
Lastly, for those who are suffering the infamous “What if?” syndrome – plagued by what you should have done – when hindsight becomes 20/20, listen to Cheryl Strayed in “Ghost Ships.” “I’ll never know, and neither will you, of the life you don’t choose. We’ll only know that whatever that sister life was, it was important and beautiful and not ours. It was the ghost ship that didn’t carry us. There’s nothing to do but salute it from the shore.”
As you tackle your objective or concern, “Be careful not to compromise what you want most for what you want now.” (Zig Ziglar) That’s an easy trap to fall into. And, procrastinators be aware of Zig’s other advice, “If you’re going to have to swallow a frog, you don’t want to have to look at that sucker too long!”
Remember, these are suggestions, not guarantees. But, hopefully, there are some golden nuggets among these bits of wisdom to help you in a meaningful way.
Now, let’s go up on the roof with Carole and James.
Musical Selection: Carole King & James Taylor – UP ON THE ROOF (Live).
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