You can choose a better way to live

One day at the beach, I saw a man walking close to the surf. In his hand, he was holding a long metal detector. Sitting on our blanket under a large umbrella, my oldest daughter pointed to the man and questioned, “Mom, what is that man doing?”

Beyond us, the bluegray water stretched far into the horizon. The eastern sky was clear and was a gorgeous sapphire blue. I explained to her that the man was searching for valuable items and treasures such as coins, silver or gold jewelry and relics.

Always inquisitive, my daughter then asked, “But mom, won’t that detector also pick up things he doesn’t want?” Turning to her, I answered, “I believe the metal detector has a special feature that leaves unwanted items in the sand.”

A glint of sun caught my daughter’s eye as we chatted a bit. And she nodded, ‘yes.’

Her comment lingered in my mind long after we left the beach. Then, it prompted a thought. Why can’t we do the same thing with our minds—let them be like a metal detector, and pick up only valuable, worthwhile, and useful thoughts.

But it’s easy to lose our way with the seemingly endless entanglements that are, at times, more than we can bear. What do you find yourself focusing on the most? Is your mind whirling with negative thoughts?

An unjust situation or challenge may have gotten you off track. But are you going to let a temporary, difficult time, a past mistake or how someone has unfairly treated you ruin your entire future? For if you allow doubts, fears and worries to overshadow your future, you won’t go as far as you could go in life.

Maybe you can’t control your circumstances at this moment. Yet you can control your thoughts. Living full of regrets or being down on yourself won’t do you any good. So do not use past negative conditions as justification to cause you to give up on yourself, on your heart’s dreams, or your plans for the future. Your current situation does not render you helpless. And it doesn’t determine the outcome. Hence, don’t use your time and energy to focus on the negative or continue to study the problem. Stop dwelling on the mistakes and the difficulties that have transpired. Pray. Forgive those who hurt you. Take the high road. Make plans. Be creative. Surround yourself with positive influences. And place the hurts, worries, and burdens in God’s capable hands. There is a peace and a freedom that comes when you “let go” and “let God.”

In the Bible, Paul wrote to the Philippians and advised them to choose to think about the good things of God:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

So, beginning in your own thoughts, right now let go of past hurts, setbacks, and rejections to make room for the new, wonderful things that God wants to do for you. Your future is too bright to let anything contaminate your life. No matter what has transpired, the power to choose a better way to live is available to you now.

• Perhaps, you’ve had years of disappointments. But you have also gained priceless wisdom and knowledge. Choose a better way to live. Focus on how you can help others. Share your gifts and be the best that you can be each day. For one thing can lead to another, and soon, your heart’s aspirations can all came together perfectly. “God can give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed…” (Psalm 20:4).

• Maybe you think you’ve missed an opportunity for advancement. Your chance is not over. Choose a better way to live. Trust in God. Smile and realize that the possibilities for your future are plentiful. God can give you two new opportunities for the one missed. “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion…” (Isaiah 61:7).

• Yet, possibly, you were misled and mistreated, and left with your confidence practically destroyed. Choose a better way to live. Nothing that has happened in the past is too much for God to turn around in your favor. Pick yourself up and begin anew. You are a child of God, beautiful, worthy and deserving of every good thing in life. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37).

Don’t give up your dreams. God has something he wants you to do. And remember, God can’t use you in the way he wants to utilize you when you are feeling bad about yourself.

Thus, forget the mistakes; rather, bring to mind the miracles. Put behind you the bad times; and think of the good occasions that have occurred. Erase from your mind the hurts; and replace them by recalling the joys. “Put aside all anxious thoughts and be at peace.” (Francis De Sales).

A while ago, I received a remarkable letter from a gentleman who explained that his brother was in the depths of despair. Many tried, but no one seemed to be able to help him, as the brother was off course and bent on destroying himself. “I enjoy reading your articles and one of them seemed to be what my brother needed, so I mailed it to him,” the gentleman wrote.

“My brother called me two days later, exclaiming how that article hit him ‘right in the nose.’ So I told him your articles appear every week in our paper, and I’d be happy to mail him copies. He agreed, and now he seems to be coming back to his old self. When you think of the good, you draw out the good. And I think your articles have brought my brother back to the world of the living! Thank you and God bless you!”

As with this dear brother, God can heal the most broken circumstances. So start thinking thoughts that reflect the life you envision for yourself. When you wake up in the morning, take 30 seconds to say, “My life is a wonderful gift,” “Thank you, God, for all of my blessings,” “I’m getting better and better,” and “Something fantastic is going to happen.” Then, throughout the day look for the good and the beauty that surrounds you.

Your future is what your thoughts make it to be. Therefore, think great thoughts. Dream big dreams. Believe in yourself and in your extraordinary gifts. Unexpected blessings and rewards are coming your way… and you’ll live the life of peace, joy and purpose that God has in mind for you. Email Catherine GalassoVigorito at cgv@ anewyouworldwide. com. To order a copy of her latest book, “The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordinary Life,” visit www.anewyouworldwide. com or bookstores nationwide.