I read this quote by Steve Jobs last week and it made me think…

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Steve Jobs 1955-2011, Co-Founder of Apple Computer

So… Dogma is living by the results of other people's thinking. In my opinion, this is one of the hardest things to overcome… to accept the fact that although we cannot change the past, that we can make decisions in the present-independent of our past, and impact our future.

Many of you know some of the trials I have endured in my life, starting at a very early age. For a long time, I owned the experiences that happened TO me as if that was what defined me… living by the results of someone else’s thinking. I will tell you that it was only when I realized that experiences-both good and bad- are just opportunities for learning and growth that I was able to make them a part of me, but not control the decisions I made as if I had no control.

I am not saying that I have figured it all out, or that I am still not affected, however I do feel better knowing that what I am doing, feeling and experiencing is governed by how I choose to feel, act and react in each moment.

Some people think that it is more comforting to blame current circumstances on someone/something else. My experience is that peace comes from taking responsibility for your emotions. Recognizing that even if you have no control over the experience, you have control over how you deal with it, and what you do to make the world a better place because of or in spite of it.

This life is a gift. As Steve Jobs said… Instinctively we know- so be courageous and listen to that inner voice that wants to lead you to the happiness you deserve.

I believe what we make of ourselves and allow others to become around us is our gift to the universe.

Just my thoughts on a Sunday afternoon…