Hidden Enemy

Do you know the name of your worst enemy? Is it your neighbour, is it a drug addict, or is it a criminal gang member? Maybe, it's your boss who is constantly harassing you at work, or your colleagues who pick on you incessantly because of the way you look.

In reality though, we have one well-known adversary who is responsible for all our misfortunes, and, for thousands of people they don't even recognize this culprit. Although, in all cases, we know who it is, we don't want to admit it - ourselves.

When something goes wrong, whom do you blame? Do you blame your friends, spouse, partner, coworkers, or, the weather? In most cases, however, you are the one to blame.

You have the capacity to change what you are, what you get, or what you need. There is no one else who has the ultimate power to control your own destiny than you.

The vicious cycle of poverty can be blamed on the government, or your boss. But, are you not the one who comes home after a day's work only to flop down in front of the TV, or go out and waste time engaging in some frivolous activity?

It is easy to squander your time instead of developing a new skill. It's too easy to give in to the "poor me" syndrome and keep doing what you've always done rather than risk tackling obstacles in your way to a new life.

You don't have to look very hard at yourself to see what amazing opposition you can find to keep yourself in the same rut. But, it doesn't have to be that way.

As well, if you're having difficulties with peer relationships, with your spouse or partner, or your colleagues at work, ask yourself who's to blame? Aren't you just even a little bit responsible? After all, as banal as it sounds, it takes two to tango.

Take a look at yourself, your habits, your behaviour, your demeanour, and your attitude. Are you perfect? Is it really always someone else's behaviour causing the problem, or are you equally responsible?

The one thing we all have is the ability to control our own destiny. Sure, it's not always going to be easy. Sure, there are going to be challenges to overcome, or issues to resolve. But, the dividends far out way the effort. You learned to walk, didn't you? It took effort, it took perseverance, and it took action over and over again to accomplish. But, you did it. Did learning to walk cause you stress? You didn't even know what stress meant. Maybe, you learned to walk because nobody told you couldn't do it. Changing who you are, what you have, is the same thing. It will take effort, risk, and hard work.

And, don't let failure to achieve the first time you try something new or better cause you stress. The only thing failure should do is to provide you with valuable lessons so you don't make the same mistake again.

Be more, have more. Recognize the enemy within, and start to fight back. You are in control, nobody else. Don't let anything, or anybody, or naysayers, or friends, or family tell you it can't be done.

Whose in charge of your life anyway, you or somebody else?