Identifying and understanding where old messages hinder a person’s progress in life is important. Joe Rutland believes that it is possible to change those messages, even if it takes time.
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The old stories that I tell myself are so much crap. They seem to drown me in sorrow rather than hope, fear rather than faith, and discouragement rather than encouragement.
See, the stories that I get caught up in are ones that date back to ancient times … ancient as far as 30- and 40-year-old types of stories in my lifetime. They are made out of visual, verbal and emotional cues that have intertwined themselves around my soul and kept me from really living the kind of life that I want to live.
The life where I’m fully living and breathing what matters to me most. When I say that I am a healer of men, women and children, I don’t say it lightly. I consider it to be my truth, and I back it up. My life’s mission is this: “I heal emotionally-wounded people through spirituality, education and love.”
Yet the stories that get me hung up appear when I’m in the middle of focusing on something that is meaningful. Like, for instance, developing and creating the type of romantic life I would enjoy.
What stories crop up?
“Ah Joe, you’re not worth it. Who the hell would want to fall in love with you? Are you really thinking of going on that dating site and believe anyone is for you? You are so messed up, dude. Just stay in your cage, do what you normally do to take care of yourself sexually, and that’s where you need to be.”
Do you think that story is helpful or harmful? Wait, don’t answer. I know it is harmful and does not even lead me to the true essence of myself.
So what needs to happen in order for my life to be different? It is a great time to start off something new in life. But do I want a different life or the same one? Do I want to tell a different story or keep the same one on my soul’s treadmill and just keep on it over and over again?
God, what a pain in the ass staying on that old treadmill is.
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Human doings really do a great disservice to their lives by being human beings. Say what? Read it again. I, like you, get caught up in “doing” this or that, and sometimes make little time to be a “being” person. Telling a different story allows me to embrace the “being” part of myself … that part which desires creativity, joy, freedom, healing, wholeness, love and light. That “being-ness” helps me connect with my inner world, where the old stories don’t fit anymore. What does fit? New stories, new beginnings, new horizons and new challenges.
Is this an overnight change? No. It takes time. Yet when do you begin? When do I begin? Well, how about now.
Change the story!
Yep, change this story there … and that one … and that one, too. The stories that are just so harmful and don’t give you and me any life. My comfort zone around these stories is decades in the making. They never give me pleasure or happiness. They are comfortable friends. Comfort emotions, if you will. The ones that yell “It’s safe here!” over the braver voice that yells “Screw that! I want to live, love and have fun in life!”
The “Have fun!” voice also is attached to a new story, a new way of looking at life.
What I want more out of life today is definitely more than simply “getting by.” I know what “getting by” looks and feels like. It sucks. Frankly, it sucks the life force out of me. “Getting by” may be good for a stretch. I get that. Yet to make “getting by” as a lifestyle? Oh man, no way.
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Everyone wants to have a better life. Year after year, people see the “next big thing” and go for it like Pavlov’s dog. I get caught up in that mindset at times.
The story I tell does not even equal what infinite possibilities await me and my life. The stories that I rewrite are the ones that lead me toward freedom, peace, and love. The newer stories let me see myself as a successful writer and entrepreneur, traveling to numerous medical facilities around the world talking about the emotional well-being of the cleft and craniofacial community, aligns me with other experts in the field of creative writing and healing pathways, and lets me have a home base, too. My new story also embraces financial freedom, where the limits and shackles of just “getting by” are buried along with piles of bills and indebtedness.
These are mirrors from the past, mirrors that I can look at in my shadow world, say “Thank you for your lesson and, yes, I see you,” and move forward with my gold in both my hand and heart.
Tell me: What is your new story? What is the new story that you are telling yourself right now? Do you need help in telling a new story for your life? If so, then let me encourage you to take 15 minutes, sit down, take a pen and paper out, and write out … not type, write out … what you want your life to look like. Don’t get all reserved and let that “this will never work” mindset creep in.
No. Give yourself the freedom and liberty to write out whatever comes into your mind, heart and soul. Be creative. This is where the creative spirit and power of the entire universe intersect. You don’t think that you are worthy of a different story? I know I am.
If I want 2015 to become a greater year than 2014, then it is time to tell and live a different story. The more that I do this, the greater my inner and outer worlds will look. I deserve it and you do, too.
Living the life of our dreams is not impossible. It’s possible. You and I can do this together. All it takes is imagination, persistence, creativity, a smidge of faith, and a dose of self-love. Let’s do it.
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Photo: Pedro Ribeiro Simões/Flickr
Hi Joe, I read your article about re-writing a story. This is what I am doing too. Sometimes we need to be reminded to keep creating what we truly want. What I truly want is to be happy, to travel with someone I love sometimes, and to continue music lessons, to have great friends, a car, a beautiful home. I also like to create jewellery. For now I have a traditional work related to computers. On facebook I chose to have a magical Christmas, the unrealistic kind, why not, it.s more fun. Live in the moment and enjoy life, and… Read more »