What is Holding You Back?

We've all said it, "If it weren't for x, I would do y." And I'm not talking about your high school algebra class.

So what is x and y? What do they mean to you? Is it a spur of the moment wish or have you been saying the same thing for a number of years? Is it a lifelong dream or just a change you wish to make? Perhaps it is all of the above.

If y makes you happy, why not start now? Take x out of the picture for a moment and just visualize how you would feel if you could start working on y right this moment. Does it make you happy, feel at peace, ease a burden, etc? What little thing can you do right now that will guide you towards reaching y?

Some people want to live out their dream careers. Others want a clean house. Some want to start their own businesses. The lists are as unending as there are people. Yet all those people are not doing what they want. To many, it seems as if the odds are stacked against them. I personally have gone through this, and I'm sure you have as well, although your ideas will probably be different then mine.

Does any of this sound like you? I want to be an artist/musician/writer, but I have to work at a job I hate to pay the bills. Or, I really want to move out on my own, but someone has to take care of Mom and Dad. I want a clean house, but I'm just too tired. I would exercise if I had more time. I'd journal, but I'm just not a good writer.

Is it just me, or do those sound like excuses? Excuses are a very limiting mindset, its your brains way of reacting to things it doesn't understand, is overwhelmed by, or just plain is resistant to the whole idea. It's fear that creates these excuses. They sound pretty dumb when you see them in black and white, now don't they? This sort of limiting mindset (any really, but lets focus) is self-perpetuating - which means you will remain stuck in the exact same spot indefinitely unless you do something about it.

I know its hard. I hate to break it to you, but there is no future time when all will be perfect and you will be able to do all that you want, unless you lay the framework now. You only exist in this time, not the past, not the future. If you have a hard time with that, think of your physical body being in the present, and shadows of your physical body are in the past and present. Start now. Seek out ways to incorporate what you want into your life. They are there, you just have to look for them.