I Make Myself

The alarm goes off.

I open my eyes and smile wide.

I sit up. I put my feet on the floor. I stand.

Say that out loud ~

“I don’t make excuses ~ I make myself.”

Say it like you have complete authority over your own life ~

“I DON’T MAKE EXCUSES ~ I MAKE MYSELF.”

I decide what happens next.

I walk into the kitchen. I pour a cup of coffee and open my notebook.

Two words are waiting at the top of the page ~

“I am.”

I put on my shoes. I leave my phone on the counter. I make a beeline for the front door and step out. The morning air hits my face, and I start walking.

The words fall out of my mouth as I step in time with my heartbeat ~

“I am responsible for everything that happens in my life.”

Left foot.

“I am responsible.”

Right foot.

“For everything that happens in my life.”

I put some emotion into it ~

“I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN MY LIFE.”

EVERYTHING?

Yes. Everything.

Not because I cause every storm or control every person. That stuff is not my stuff. I am responsible because this is MY LIFE. Whatever arrives, I choose what I do with it.

I do not blame myself. I CLAIM myself.

MY life.

MY questions ~

MY answers.

MY next move.

Taking responsibility puts everything in perspective. And you know what?

It feels good.

“I am the only one who tells me what to do. I have complete authority over myself.”

Say that again and put some LIFE into it ~

“I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO TELLS ME WHAT TO DO. I HAVE COMPLETE AUTHORITY OVER MYSELF.”

Does that mean I don’t listen to anybody?

Not exactly…

I listen to people when they talk. I really hear what they have to say. I welcome correction. I welcome help. I welcome truth spoken plainly.

I need to be connected to the people in my life.

I listen to the people I love. I keep my promises. I accept the consequences of my choices.

I can change my mind without betraying myself.

All of my choices are mine alone.

Other people’s fear? Their praise? Their disappointment? The expectations?

Other people can think whatever they want. That has nothing to do with me.

I decide what I do.

Complete authority over myself, and no authority over anybody else.

No desire to control what is not me.

I have enough on my plate just keeping an eye on myself.

Read that again ~

“I make no excuses. I have every advantage.”

You have everything you need. Right here, right now. Believe that ~

“I MAKE NO EXCUSES. I HAVE EVERY ADVANTAGE.”

Every advantage? Oh, yes ~

ALL OF THEM.

Stop searching for proof that you can’t and start using what’s in your hands now.

An active mind.

A singular voice.

Two strong hands.

Infinite unique experience.

So many friends and family surrounding us ~

The lessons we learn after every wrong turn ~

This one, deep breath.

This one, beautiful morning.

These two feet ~ moving forward.

ALL OF THAT IS MINE!

A door closes? I turn.

I make a mistake? I learn.

Somebody tells me “that’s impossible”? So what!

Help arrives? I say THANK YOU and accept it.

I take whatever Life hands me.

I am the material and the maker.

I am the material and the maker.

Rough edge?

Crooked line?

I do not need to be finished. I am not in a rush.

I don’t say the words once and wait for magic.

I say them.

I feel them.

I believe them.

I act them out ~

And then that is who I Am.

Nobody else can do that for me.

This is MY LIFE.

By the time I turn toward home, the sun is above the rooftops. My heart is strong, and my mind is clear.

I say all four affirmations and let them fall into rhythm with my feet ~

“I make no excuses. I have every advantage.”

“I am responsible for everything that happens in my life.”

“I am the only one who tells me what to do. I have complete authority over myself.”

“I don’t make excuses ~ I make myself.”

The notebook is open on the table. The same two words are waiting for me ~

I AM.

I grin and give the last one everything I’ve got ~

“I DON’T MAKE EXCUSES ~ I MAKE MYSELF.”