As it turns out, I’ve already written about being brilliant. Unfortunately, I realized this after writing most of this post. Fortunately, this post is about the other kind of brilliant. Last time – shining, luminous, sparkle. This time – being smart, taking care of yourself.
Have you ever heard the phrase “You’re making more work for yourself”? Usually it’s said by someone observing another person resolve an issue, solve a problem. And usually it’s said in a patronizing manner. I don’t like making more work for myself. My method of operating is to be as efficient as I can with time, mess and materials. I even try to avoid any kind of backtracking while driving because it drives me nuts to not take the best/shortest route. However, we make more work for ourselves in a number of ways, both intentionally and unintentionally, from not thinking things through, being lazy, making mistakes or involving ourselves in things we don’t need to be involved in. We all get to decide how we operate, efficient or not, meticulously planned or not, sensible or not. This is all well and good but I’m still not to my point. I want to talk about “being brilliant” in another way.
Real life is a mine field. A battle field. An open road. While we don’t get to choose the “cruising speed” (as in, life just keeps coming, in an unyielding way), the “exits” or “stops” (the crap that happens, the unplanned events) or all the weirdos in the car (haha!), we do get to choose how we deal with it all. Really, it’s the only thing we can choose. Instead of making more work for ourselves, we can be brilliant about it. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
Accept that life and what happens in it is out of your control. Control is an illusion.
Decide what baggage you want to carry. Mistakes in the past? Forgive yourself and let them go. Lousy relationships? Walk away. Bad habits? Break them. If it’s not beneficial to you, it’s not worth carrying.
If there is baggage you can’t ignore/shake off/leave behind, carry it responsibly. If necessary, seek professional help or talk to trusted friends. Don’t let it wear you down and cripple you.
Surround yourself with quality people, ones who accept you at your best and your worst. In life you will be both of these.
Share yourself, your heart, soul, dreams, fears, with people who are worthy. Don’t waste time with those who aren’t/
If you are overwhelmed, step back, slow down and take things one at a time. Focus on the here and now. This day. This hour. This minute. Things aren’t as daunting this way.
When the load gets heavy and you are struggling, seek help. Talk to loved ones, a professional, someone. You are not alone.
And finally.
Don’t let the bad keep you from smiling, laughing, living. There are many times when you will want the dark to bury you. Don’t let it. You will miss an awful lot of good.
Tell me how you are brilliant.
For 2014 2015, we are bringing back the BBBY project, motivating and encouraging ourselves and others to be bold, brilliant, beautiful and decidedly ourselves. And we totally want you to join us! The #boldbrilliantbeautiful project is a support group for all of us seeking to be real. No judging, no questions, just support and words of encouragement. Find us on Instagram with the #boldbrilliantbeautiful hashtag and on the Bold. Brilliant. Beautiful. You. Facebook page. All are invited and welcome. :)
