Acting As If

Being the true country-girl that I am, it’s no surprise that I was bombing down the highway the other day – windows open – listening to the country station with Sara Evan’s “As If” song playing. I love the song – and the lyrics are so light and breezy.

The song made me think of the term “as if” and how, when we face some turbulence in life/work, we often get the advice to act positive and simply act “as if” things are just dandy. I’m the type that hasn’t necessarily agreed with the whole “as if” concept as I’m a big proponent of getting to the deeper root of things rather than sugar-coating them.

However, I’m learning, there are times in life when you do need to act “as if” and simply let go and live life for today. Perfect case in point, a 1/2 mile into my run the other day, I found myself seriously dragging and couldn’t bring myself to move my feet. I ended up sitting on the wall of the local library thinking: “Why do I feel so heavy and bogged down today?”, “Why can’t I get the energy to move like I normally do and get this run in?”

At that moment I decided to give myself a break and simply walk. Walking allowed me to take in the moments and scenery and I found myself on a street I never go down. Up ahead I saw a license plate that simply said: “IAMME” and on the same car there was a bumper sticker that said: “Life is meant to be FUN”. I thought to myself: “Is that ever the truth!”

What was so amazing about this was, while I was sitting on the wall, I had asked for a message or sign to give me some insight on some of the personal challenges that have been going on. And one minute later I got my message/sign. I interpreted the license plate and the bumper sticker to be my personal message that meant: Lighten up, enjoy life, accept, take in the moments, shine in the circumstances of today, – it’s all you’ve got!

The point of all of this is: There are times in our lives when we need to consciously make the choice to act “as if” and simply lighten up and live our lives – even when things aren’t exactly the way we want or hope they’d be.

So how about you? Are you shining in the light of your life today – or feeling a bit bogged down with darkness?

I know you’re a woman who is committed to her growth and being the best you can be by constantly striving to transform and be a better version of yourself. At the same time, do you ever give yourself a break and take inventory of how far you’ve come and how great things are today, in this very moment?

Learn more about Brenda Stanton at: http://www.brendastanton.com/