THE STOP-START METHOD

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Somehow life seems to be a race. We seem to always be running to do something, whether it is to grow up, finish homework, finish school, finish a task or job, get married, buy a house, have children, get the children to school, retire, etc. And it seems that the running never ends. We spend all our lives running in all directions and for everything. We think that life is a freeway where we can move forward fast with no obstacles to the desired destination, but that is not always what is happening. Life is more like a back road in the countryside where we have to stop constantly to check and see if we are going in the right direction.

On the road of life, it is important to stop, reevaluate, and restart often so we do not get lost along the way. This continuous stop and start will maintain us on the right path and toward the right destination. The stop-start method allows us to realign ourselves as we go so that we are certain we are moving in the right direction. Life is not different! Following are some of the stops and starts that you may want to keep in mind…and may want to perform periodically:

  • Stop running and start living. Life is not a race. Slow down and start really living. Start enjoying the little, simple things in life like a walk, a conversation with a friend, a smile, a flower, sitting in a garden or park, grabbing hands, a sunny or rainy day (it doesn’t matter), a book, a warm beverage, the warmth of the sun in the face, etc. Simply start enjoying life to the fullest of your own ability. Everything, regardless of how small, is a possibility for fulfillment if you allow it.
  • Stop trusting others and start trusting yourself. It is fine to trust others, but before you do that, learn to trust yourself. Turn off the news, social media, and everything else that is spreading fear and misinformation. If you have to watch or use them, be selective and smart. Choose your sources and the time you dedicate to them wisely. Question the motives of everything, including what some of you have taken for truthful like from your government, society, institutions (including the religious ones), and even family and friends.
  • Stop spreading negativity and misinformation and start spreading positivity. When you write or say something negative in the way of a comment, opinion, etc., you are adding more lumber to the fire. The same happens when you send information that you do not know whether it is true or not. If you have to write or talk, spread positivism, love, compassion, empathy, a smile, or just simply silence. There are no wiser words than a smile or silence!
  • Stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution. Stop seeing problems and start seeing solutions that can help alleviate or solve many of our current problems. If not for the world, the country, the city or the community, at least, for you or your loved ones. We must start with ourselves and the people closest to us and then go outwards if we want to really make a change, a difference.
  • Stop excluding and start including. You are not better than anyone else regardless of your position, wealth, intelligence, knowledge, status, fame, etc. Stop thinking of yourself and yours and start thinking of everyone and everything else. Do not leave anyone behind. If someone is falling behind or is behind, lend them a hand. To do that, we must embrace diversity, other ways different than ours. Embrace differences. It is in these differences where the real flavor of life exists!
  • Stop pleasing others and start being true to yourself. We only have this life now, and it is a short life regardless of how old you live to be. So, live your life the way you want to live it and not the way others, or society, want you to live it. This is your one chance now. Be true to yourself and allow the true you to come out and express itself. Dance life like no one is watching!
  • Stop relying on the outside and start relying on the inside. We have been relying on the outside for everything that we need most of our lives. In fact, we go through life trying to fix the outside for something that needs to be fixed inside us. You are powerful and can do anything you want to do. You just need to see and believe in your own capabilities. Your health, wellness, peace and happiness are deep inside of you and cannot be found outside, no matter how hard you try.
  • Stop wanting more and start being thankful. When you spend your life wanting, accumulating, being needy, and feeling privileged or with the right to things, then you are setting yourself up to suffer and to be disappointed often. On the other hand, when you are thankful for even the most minuscule thing, life becomes just wonderful and a miracle.

Life is not continuous but a stop-and-start road. Do not live on autopilot! Stop, evaluate and reevaluate your life, options and priorities, and restart them. Life does not come with a predefined life plan. It does come with a template but we must not take it as is but adjust it as we go (free will) so we can stay focused and on target for what we want this experience to be like. Stop cursing, fearing, wasting, ignoring, disrespecting, taking things for granted, and being negative, selfish, and greedy; and start being open minded, open hearted, loving and a compassionate individual that respects and cares for everything and everyone equally. Don’t try to change the world, change yourself. The world will just follow!

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Author: Maurice Correa
Website: pathtoone.com
Blog: p2oblog.blogspot.com

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