Being Prepared Is Half the Battle

Whenever I need to make an important decision, I stop short, take in all the air I can and I listen to my heart until I feel like it is prepared.

I don’t just do this with my decisions. I also do it with those sudden changes that turn us all inside out, leaving us disoriented and out of place. To me, b eing prepared is a process that allows me to find emotional balance.

Focus on the end to reach the goal

Some decisions or life changes mark a turning point from the past, and others which will determine our present and our future. Normally, with sudden changes we cannot give ourselves that margin for preparation beforehand in order to face them in the best way possible. However, we can try to approach them from the most objective place possible and prepare ourselves for the acceptance stage.

Perhaps, also, that attempt to be objective towards something that is oppressing us inside and does not let us see clearly, is one of the most difficult goals to achieve, and yet, it is one of the most effective and rewarding.

We are fortunate if we spend some time discussing the options, thinking about the consequences and assuming  responsibilities.

You know you have the courage within

Clearly, to make it to where I am, many times I’ve had to do the things we are talking about and most times it was not easy. But nobody said it was going to be because, in fact, everything that is worth it in our lives has required us to face it  with great personal effort.

I learned that if I think I can, I can; I know more than I could even imagine; that I have the strength that I decide to have; there is no load my shoulders cannot bear and I can get to where I set my mind to.

It turns out that the most common feeling we have when facing change is fear. Fear takes hold of our minds and we must stand up to it. Fear stops us when we are close to the edge and then our courage takes force.

We all have courage, just as we have fear. We just have to dare to be more courageous than what the situation requires of us and when this happens we will be prepared. Half of the battle will already be ours.

The result is the end

With half of the battle in our hands through our preparation, the full victory depends on the result of the decision.

If it was a break from the past, you’ve won: preparing and breathing is part of overcoming and acceptance.

If it was a decision, it may go wrong, but don’t be discouraged or depressed. Not everything depends on you and your efforts.

On the other hand, if you’re wrong, it’s okay: to err is human and that is what you are. The only thing you can control is your attitude, your ability to accept and change.

You are aware of what happens to you and what can happen to you, and preparing yourself for it is the first step towards being able to say: I was able to, I did or I got over it. The result is often the least important part of the process.