New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)

Make the most of yourself and your beautiful purpose

- CATHERINE GALASSOVIG­ORITO Email Catherine Galasso-Vigorito at cgv@anewyouwor­ldwide.com. To order a copy of her new book, “The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordin­ary Life,” visit www.anewyouwor­ldwide.com or bookstores nationwide. Like me on Face

One afternoon, a young man and his 94-year-old grandfathe­r were sitting alongside one another on a park bench in front of their church.

As the grandfathe­r, with his easygoing humor, was sharing stories from his life with his grandson, they both noticed a squirrel in a nearby tree.

The squirrel leaped and aimed for a limb. But he slipped and fell to the cold ground.

Without hesitation, the squirrel got back up, jumped, missed and landed on a branch several feet lower.

Yet, immediatel­y, the squirrel steadied itself and got ready to jump once again. It sprung up and finally made it to the top of the tree.

“I’ve seen many squirrels strive and miss the mark,” the grandfathe­r offered. “But I have never seen one squirrel get hurt trying,” he said with a grin, as his warm breath moved about in the cold air.

Then, he leaned toward his grandson and added, “I guess they must think it’s better to take a risk than to spend their whole life where they don’t want to be.”

Have your dreams grown dim and distant? Are you disillusio­ned and receding because you’ve been challenged with one difficulty after another?

Many people have allowed what they’ve been though in the past to hold them back from a joyful and meaningful future.

When situations are unfair, the hurts undeserved and the setbacks many, it’s easy to fall into the trap of despair and discourage­ment. Then,you may just throw up your hands and say, “Forget it. This is as good as it’s going to get. I’ve fallen too low. I can’t possibly get ahead or fulfill my dreams.”

But although the way ahead may seem uncertain, God is still in control and He is on your side. God has not finished His work in your life. He has not done all He wants to do for you. He’s not given you all He desires to provide. So put your trust and hope in Him, for He will renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31) and repay you for the years you may have lost. (Joel 2:25)

Maybe things didn’t work out the first time. Yet God can reestablis­h your broken dreams and give you a second chance. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” Psalm 103:8

Perhaps you think your window of opportunit­y is closed. But it’s not the end. It is not over. Your best days are still to come. “The Lord blessed the latter years of Job’s life more than the earlier years.” Job 42:12

Possibly you experience­d an injustice. However, God can heal and restore. He will turn situations around in a just and fair way. “No good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11

Don’t go through life dwelling on setbacks and disappoint­ments or those negative inner thoughts can become ingrained in your thinking. A defeated mindset can keep you from fulfilling God’s incredible plan for your life.

A while ago, I was at home on a conference call with my book publisher regarding my new book “The Open Window” and our little white puppy, Chloe, was barking furiously. I walked into the living room and saw her staring into the fireplace. My mind raced and I thought to myself, “Maybe there’s a flying squirrel or a mouse caught in there!”

As Chloe continued barking, I hesitantly gazed into the glasscover­ed fireplace, afraid of what I might see. But I didn’t see anything.

Chloe was still barking, so I waited a few more minutes and looked again. The fireplace was empty. There was nothing in there. And I soon discovered that

Chloe was barking at her own reflection.

That’s what we do sometimes. We find fault with ourselves, focus on our so-called shortcomin­gs and allow negative thoughts and words to talk us out of our God-inspired dreams. Yet, in reality, as there was nothing in the fireplace, there’s little there with which to find fault. Thus, stop mulling over your so-called inadequaci­es, or who hurt you, or the setbacks you had to endure in the past. Leave the unfair circumstan­ces in God’s Hands and move forward.

One night before dinner, I saw my daughter grab her camera and take a picture of her report card. She had brought it home from school earlier that day. A bit perplexed, I asked, “Why are you taking a picture of your report card, honey?”

Keenly, my extraordin­ary daughter replied, “I want to remember how I got all As!”

That’s what we need to do. In our mind’s eye, let’s remember all of the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. And as we do, He will pour out greater joys, greater blessings and greater opportunit­ies into our futures.

So, today, let us have a new, optimist attitude. Dare, dream, aspire, and let’s reach for our goals. We must draw strength from our faith and refuse to quit and settle for less than living our best lives. Let us reflect on gratitude, thinking about what brings us joy and centering our attention on everything that’s good and right and positive.

And when we wake up every morning, let’s sing the song, “How great is our God.” Then, let us go out each day and make the most of ourselves and the beautiful purpose for which we were created.

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A New You

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