Some quotes you just can’t argue with.
I could leave it at that and this would be a very short blog post, wouldn’t it?
Yep. Feeling a bit sassy today.
Expounding on the whole “making changes” theme:
- People in my life can influence me so that I see the need to change.
- People can inspire me by the changes they’ve made in their lives so that I want to do what they did and change, too.
- People can even confront me and tell me I should change. Demand that I change.
But only I can change my life. It’s as simple, and as hard, as that.
Realizing that I’m responsible for the change in my life — or the lack of any change — is a sure sign of growing up, wouldn’t you agree? You can’t blame someone else for who you are, who you’re becoming, or what you do or don’t do.
Now for me, because I’m on a faith journey with God, there’s also a spiritual element to this “only I can change my life” principle. Because sometimes … sometimes I tell God “I can’t” and He tells me “I know.” And His words are bathed in grace and love. And I’m reminded that some life changes — the best life changes — are miraculous.
In Your Words: What produces change in your life? What’s been one of the biggest changes in your life? Or even one of the smallest, but its had the most sweeping effect on you?
In Others' Words: Making Changes https://wp.me/p63waO-2zC #quotes #lifechange Click To Tweet 'Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.' https://wp.me/p63waO-2zC #quote #CarolBurnett Click To Tweet
Comments 9
Wow. So true. And yes, you are right, Beth: it’s very, very hard.
Thanks for the post.
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Odelia: Glad you were encouraged by the post.
Change is hard at times. And it can be a start-stop-and-start-over-over process. I think change is ultimately about not quitting.
That is a GREAT quote. I had not heard it before. For me love is the most important catalyst for change, like the old saying about honey accomplishing more than vinegar. This winter seeing a granddtr. encounter a family flaw that I’ve bumped into myself deepened my resolve to strengthen that area, and I’m asking the Lord’s help for stronger muscles for me and my family.
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Dee: What an interesting concept — love being the most important catalyst for change. Loving others. Loving ourselves.
Mulling … mulling …
I don’t know how to answer this; illness has certainly changed me, but in many ways for the worse.
Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that the changes have been self-chosen, in response to circumstance. There’s a hardness that really comes across wrong sometimes. Barbara’s bout with the flu left her feeling like I really didn’t care, that my answer to everything was, “Whoa, bummer. Hope you’re better soon.”
But that’s the height of empathy or me now. It just hurts too much, and it’s way more compassion than I give myself.
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Andrew:
It’s hard to be compassionate when you’re hurting too — and I know you were hurting when Barb was down with the flu (maybe she still is). You’d wrenched your knee, right?
And you are compassionate … you’re just walking a long, rough road, my friend. It’s never too late to try again. And yes, offer yourself a little more compassion, too.
Beth, this message is coming at precisely the right time, as I’m certain God knew when He inspired you to write it. Just this morning, in my devotional time, God showed me a couple of things that I need to alter in my everyday life. I’ve seen hints of these changes coming at me in the last couple of weeks, and apparently today is the cap-it-off day, since there have now been two pretty obvious connections to changing one’s life. Thank you for being one of God’s messengers to me! Hugs!
*digging deep, with God’s help, for gumption to actually make these changes*
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Andrea:
I always sit up and take notice when God repeats Himself. When I hear the same message — through the Word, through a blog post, through a song — whatever — I know I’m supposed to pay attention and also to act on it. Praying for you to find the gumption you need, my friend.
Thank you, my sweet friend. Your prayers mean a lot to me, as does your friendship, of course. Hugs!