Being Willing....

Being willing........what does that mean to you?  Does it mean you would do anything anyone told you to do?  Certainly not!  But, in this crazy world of ours anxiety is on the rise and relationships are waning because no one is willing to compromise, work through an issue to resolve it, or take the time to really get to know another person.  And, it shows in our society: broken relationships, bullying, people living together instead of getting married, divorce at an all time high, gun violence, suicide on the rise, low self-esteem, and anxiety everywhere!!!

So, what does "being willing" mean?  For whatever it's worth, this is what it means to me...

Being willing to create a healthy environment for myself to grow and learn and explore - yes explore who I am and why I think, act and feel the way I do.

Being willing to "get healthy" emotionally, physically, mentally, financially and spiritually.

Being willing to accept ourselves and others - flaws and all - without guilt, blame, shame or regret.

Being willing to yield to God's call on our life...

Being willing to acknowledge what I am really good at and what I am not good at and be okay with that!

Being willing to change and try something new - especially when what I've been doing isn't working well!

Being willing to look for and acknowledge our talents, gifts and abilities and use them for good.

Being willing to communicate to another person whom I am in a relationship with: 

1)  At home with family - brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and parents.

2) At work - co-workers, bosses, managers, employees, volunteers, etc.

3) At church - fellow church members, visitors, those seeking to learn about God, pastors, leaders, etc.

4) At school - fellow school mates, teachers, principals, administrators, and janitors!

5) In love - learning to understand the other person and give them space to grow and make mistakes as well as being caring, giving, gracious and kind - on all levels!

Being willing to communicate the good, the bad and  the pretty (and the not so pretty) part of ourselves to create an environment of understanding, compromise and a safe place to be vulnerable.

Being willing to be vulnerable to accept the other person and ourselves just as we are!

Being willing to communicate openly, honestly and directly.

Being willing to let go of our own agenda and allow a relationship to grow in a healthy manner - not trying to "fix" another person or manipulate them into being what we want them to be.

Being willing to love with open arms and open hearts....and if (when) we get hurt in the process, to realize we gave our very best and it's okay that it did not work out!

Being willing on the highway - allow another car to get onto or off the freeway with plenty of room, following at a safe distance, putting down my phone and NOT texting, going the speed limit, driving safely and soberly.

Being willing to grow...

Being willing to learn...

Being willing to have courage to NOT beat ourselves up!

Being willing to say No or Yes honestly and mean it.

Being willing to be gentle with ourselves and others....

Being willing to let go of being "right" all the time.

Being willing is an enormous task!  It tears down all the walls and allows growth to occur.  Being willing allows a person to "blossom" as my mom used to say!

Being willing is a worthwhile endeavor and a lovely way to learn and apply healthy behaviors to our lives!!!

Being willing can make or break every attitude you have towards life, yourself and other people.

If you haven't been very willing, then start!  

Become willing and you will see a tremendous breakthrough in your life!!!