“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself... Aloud.”
-Coco Chanel
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
What if I told you the greatest service one can offer is making up your own mind? Think about that for a moment...
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your service?
Many of us don’t think for ourselves. We are so use to going along we don’t even realize it. To quote Kat Sanders:
Most people rather be told what to believe, how to act and what to do. They don’t want to be responsible for their thoughts or actions. They want somewhere to place the blame, so even if they have independent thoughts, they would never say them out loud.
Think back to your childhood. Remember being told; “Because I said so!” Or more recently, your supervisor making the statement, “don’t kill the messenger,” after giving a directive that might not have been received well.
To avoid any anticipated confrontation, we often hold in our thoughts, our questions and just comply.
Iyanla Vanzant states in her book, Until Today:
Few things will destroy your self-worth more completely than doing something simply because someone else wants you to do it.
Vanzant discusses the difference between cooperation and coercion:
When you cooperate you are commingling your thoughts, choices, needs, and desires with others. You are standing fully in the truth of who you are and what you desire to experience. Cooperation is being along.
How has cooperation been an asset to your experience? Kindly come up with an answer before you continue.
When you are being coerced, you go along to avoid confrontation. You go along in fear of retaliation. You go along to keep the peace. You go along rather than take responsibility for your own choices or the fulfillment of your own needs.
What scenario of coercion have you been a victim of? Be honest with yourself... sit with this one for a moment...
It takes courage to be true to yourself. There is power in believing in ones self: (from Kat Sanders)
Belief is power.
Being true to yourself means thinking for yourself.
Knowing yourself means thinking for yourself.
Thinking for yourself means questioning everything.
Do your research, don’t make blind choices.
Right or wrong an informed choice is the only choice.
Today’s Challenge: from Iyanla Vanzant
Affirm: Today I am devoted to taking a risk and making some decisions about how my life will be.
Now, what are you willing to do be a better YOU? Your choice... You are worth it!
Don’t miss your opportunity. Be intentional. Encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#thinkforyourself, #reflect, #reach, #stretch, #bepositive, #honoryourself, #responsibility, #faceyourfears, #learnandgrow, #accountability, #selfawareness, #selfimprovement, #selfcompassion, #faith, #confidence, #believe, #ittakescourage, #focus, #shift, #trustyourself, #dothework, #shareyourgifts, #releaseyourpower, #knowyourworth, #leadbyexample, #justdoit, #lifecoach, #leadershipcoach, #leadershipdevelopment, #letsgo
References:
Vanzant, Iyanla; Until Today: Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind. Atria, New York, NY 2020.
Medium: 30 Days of Empowerment (by Kat Sanders)
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