| "Three things cannot be long hidden; the sun, the | | | | wanted? If you begin to tell yourself the truth you |
| moon, and the truth." -Buddha | | | | will finally be able to do something about it. You can |
| Think of all of the excuses you've heard people tell | | | | now decide whether or not you like your life the |
| themselves to avoid facing reality. People don't | | | | way it is or if you are going to choose a different |
| exercise because they don't have the time. They | | | | course. |
| drink because they're stressed. Children are neglected | | | | Look, we all have crutches that make it easier to get |
| because the parents are too busy to take 5 minutes | | | | through life. But, it's when these crutches begin to |
| out of their days to give to them. And abused | | | | actually cripple us that we stay stuck in what can |
| women win the prize for making up every excuse in | | | | turn into miserable situations. And the longer we stay |
| the book about why they stay in abusive | | | | stuck the harder it is to change. |
| relationships. | | | | Don't make your excuses start to become your |
| When we deny what we truly want, i.e. a thinner | | | | reality. You've told yourself these lies for so long that |
| body, a better relationship with whomever, a better | | | | you actually start to believe them. The real reality is |
| job, less stress in our lives and eliminating or limiting | | | | we can live any way we want without the excuses. |
| negative habits we ultimately pay the penalty of not | | | | Life without the excuses: I'm fat because I don't |
| living a happier more balanced life. | | | | exercise and I eat what I want. I'm stressed because |
| The outcome: our bodies aren't the way we want, | | | | I let life and all of its complications upset me. I don't |
| our health suffers, our relationships are not what | | | | spend enough time nurturing my children because I |
| they could be, our financial situations are a struggle, | | | | simply don't feel like it. I am in debt because I'm |
| etc. all because we can't face reality and tell | | | | wasteful and don't cut back in the many ways that I |
| ourselves the truth. | | | | can. I drink because I like it regardless of how it |
| If you really want to get out of debt, be less | | | | makes me feel. I stay in abusive relationships |
| stressed, lose weight, if you want to stop smoking, | | | | because I don't know my self worth or value myself |
| stop fighting, be a more "present" parent or a better | | | | and the list goes on and on. |
| person in whatever area you feel needs the help, | | | | If you really want to lose weight make the time to |
| until you quit making excuses as to why you can't; | | | | work out. If you're stressed, learn stress |
| you will continue to have what you've got. | | | | management or meditate. If you are struggling |
| Admitting that there is an issue or a problem is | | | | financially; create a budget and adhere to it. If you |
| always the first step in changing anything. Facing | | | | don't spend enough time with your children, find 5 |
| reality and getting real with yourself will allow you to | | | | minutes and give them your undivided attention. If |
| have a new perspective on how all of your excuses | | | | you are in an abusive relationship, stop telling yourself |
| are keeping you stuck. And sadly, we all make | | | | its okay if someone treats you badly. |
| excuses about the things we most need to address. | | | | It's up to you to either live your life allowing the |
| But, unless you are willing to be totally honest with | | | | excuses to make what you do (which you know you |
| yourself you won't change a thing. | | | | shouldn't) bearable. Or, tell yourself the truth and |
| Wouldn't you love to live the life you've always | | | | know that the truth can set you free! |