We are all born into different circumstances with different strengths, attributes and skills, let’s call them ‘Cards of Life’. Just like being at a dealers table, the cards we are handed are beyond our control.
The main thing to remember is that you have the ability to choose how you play those cards of life, to achieve what you want.
Based upon how you use your initial cards, you will be dealt new cards as you go along. They can be anything from good fortune to dilemmas, obstacles or opportunities. You can embrace and decide what to do with those cards too.
“This mantra is about choice. Your ability to choose what you do with your life going forward regardless of the circumstances. Make this mantra part of your mentality if you want to achieve and succeed in something, if you don’t, then you will be at the mercy of other people and circumstances handing you the cards. Do not fear the dealer, just know that whatever you receive, you can use it for good.”
“Knowing that you have the ability to choose, is empowering and enriching for your soul. As history and present times have shown, if you believe you have no choices, your soul and spirit weakens. Therefore try to ensure you are making the choices with regards to your life.
“Health wise, it goes without saying that you need to be aware of the different physical attributes and conditions you have been given. Remember these physical cards also change throughout life, such as fitness, illness or energy levels. Based on this awareness, you can choose to devise a health plan that is specific to you attaining your best health possible."
“This mantra is about choice. Your ability to choose what you do with your life going forward regardless of the circumstances. Make this mantra part of your mentality if you want to achieve and succeed in something, if you don’t, then you will be at the mercy of other people and circumstances handing you the cards. Do not fear the dealer, just know that whatever you receive, you can use it for good.”
This is something I learned in my mid-twenties, when I realised there was a pattern in some of my romantic relationships up to that point. Before I met my wife during a period of being single, I looked back at my previous relationships and saw a common theme as to why they didn’t work out - It was because of me. The way I saw and went about things as a result of my personal background impacted my decisions. From this epiphany I looked at other aspects of my life that were not how I wanted them to be, such as my finances and health. I realised I was the common denominator in all of those things. To get where I wanted to be I couldn't blame someone else. I had committed to working out why things had gone the way they had, and working out how to do better in the future.
As an adult I am responsible for where I find myself in all aspects of my life. It may be hard to accept it, but if you take a deep look at yourself, you may also see some patterns that have led to you being in recurring situations. The good news is that once you acknowledge them you can break this cycle.
The one thing that is 100% common in my relationships, experiences and situations is me
I don't control all the cards I am dealt in my life, but I can choose how I play them in the present and future
“The key to this mantra is recognising and taking responsibility or response-ability for situations you find yourself in. The mantra highlights the power you have when being responsible for your attitude, especially in recurring situations."
“Taking ownership of your circumstances can be tough, especially if the situation comes to you indirectly, but once you do it, it will definitely strengthen your soul. This is because owning something gives you power over it, which enables you to take the actions required to change that situation for a better outcome."
“This mantra definitely applies to your health, because you control how you maintain your health levels. For example, if you find yourself struggling with weight gain or lack of energy, look to internal factors that may be dictating your approach to exercise. Honestly acknowledge what your current health status is. Then you can plan and take action to improve it."
“Similarly to the Health Highlander’s advice, the mantra can apply to your wealth. If you're someone who continually finds themselves in debt, short of money or backed against a wall financially, then you need to investigate why you continually find yourself in this position. To do this you can take actions such as reviewing your account statements to understand your spending habits, and identify what you can cut out or change. You can also review and consider what you were taught about money, debt and spending by your elders and teachers and consider how it is affecting your approach to finances now. Once you have identified the reasons why you frequently find yourself in this position, you will then need to plan and work out a way forward. It is very possible to stop yourself repeating the cycle and get into a positive financial position for the future. Some ways to do this are discussed in the fail to plan, plan to fail mantra."