It’s Not What Happens To You, But How You Respond To It
By: Tony Fahkry
Tags: Personal Growth, Life Lessons, Self Improvement, Inspiration, Motivation

Direct The Sail

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” — Confucius

If you’ve ever been on a sailboat, you’ll understand the importance of the wind. Without wind the boat will not move, it will drift about with the current. The wind is essential for a great experience.

Sailors understand they cannot control the direction of the wind. If it is blowing right to left, you cannot make it blow the other way, but what you can do is direct the sail.

Jim Rohn, an American author and motivational speaker said: “The same wind blows on us all; the winds of disaster, opportunity and change. The same wind blows on us all. Therefore, it is not the blowing of the wind, but the setting of the sails that will determine our direction in life.”

It is not about the wind, because the same wind blows on us all. It is not about the problems that come or the obstacles we face because we all face problems albeit to varying degrees.

Peace, happiness, and success is about our attitude and how we respond to life. Winds will come because we are powerless over many things in life, but if we respond with passion, faith, and perseverance, we will be okay.

Photo by Katrina Wright on Unsplash

Learn How To Set The Sail

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” — Dolly Parton

Let’s say you are on a sailboat with one person who knew how to work the sail. Imagine they went out cold and the sail boat was headed for a rock. What would you do?

Figure out how to change the sail? Experience anger or a panic attack? Give up and jump out of the boat into the water? You might wish you knew how to work the sail.

In the same way, sometimes you will be headed towards a rock or a problem, frustration etc. What will you do? Panic? Give up? Why not learn how to set the sail?

Learn how you will react when directed towards a giant rock that could cause imminent pain and suffering. Assuredly these times will come. How will you react? What will your attitude be?

Take a few minutes and write what you will do when such times occur: When frustrations arise. When your boss says you are not doing good enough. When your partner tells you he or she does not think the relationship is going well. When a car cuts you off in traffic.

When there’s more bills to pay at the end of the month than there is money. What will your attitude be? Decide now. Decide you will adopt an attitude of courage, faith, and optimism.

Say it out loud if you must. It is a choice. Your attitude is your choice and you have power over it. Just like a sailor has power over the sail, your power is your attitude. Set it to work with the wind.

Photo by Denis Oliveira on Unsplash

Whatever It Takes

“When you catch a glimpse of your potential, that’s when passion is born.” — Zig Ziglar

A marathon runner trains intensely to run a marathon. They discipline their body and mind well before the race because they understand the importance of training.

To run a marathon without training is a recipe for disaster. In the same way, to go through life unprepared for the winds of change, problems, trials, etc. is a recipe for disaster.

We can train ourselves to prepare for such times by adopting a “whatever it takes” approach. We can feed ourselves with empowering material which nourishes our inner landscape and keep success principles before us.

We can spend time with those with a similar outlook and learn the principles that will help us soar with the wind in our personal, and professional life. We ought to learn them now because when tough times come, it is difficult to focus and learn new things.

You have incredible potential in every area of your life. Celebrate your successes and delight in possibilities. You have come so far already. Greet each morning with gratitude and great things to come your way. Your attitude can make or break you, so declare it will be one of gratitude, faith, trust, and optimism. You are infinite potential.

Call To Action

Do you want to lead a remarkable life? Are you committed to taking action despite your fears and doubts? Have you had enough of not achieving the success you seek? If so, download your FREE copy of my eBook NAVIGATE LIFE right now, and start your amazing journey of greatness today!