How to Give Yourself a Second Chance

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It’s not so much that we’re afraid of change
or so in love with the old ways, but it’s
That place in between we fear…
It’s like being between trapezes. 
It’s Linus when his blanket is in the dryer.
There is nothing to hold on to. ~ Marillyn Ferguson

Tragedy happens. A relationship ends. A child dies. A drunk driver kills. A job is lost. A new business closes. It hurts. Life is difficult.

Why not quit? Why try again? Because you can. No matter how difficult life becomes, always remember it’s never too late to try again. You can choose differently. You have that option.

Tips for a second chance:

Shift your perception. When you experience loss or failure it’s natural and good, to grieve.  Take the time you need to be sad, cry, feel your pain. When you’re finished grieving it’s time to shift your perception and make a plan to begin again. Every ending leads to a new beginning.

Start small. If you are overwhelmed, start with one small step, today. Dr. Martin Luther King advised, "Take the first step in faith." If you lost a job, update your resume. If you've ended a relationship, let go of the pain, if you have bad health, see a doctor.

Change the things you can. What is the first thing that comes to mind? Yes, that’s exactly where you need to begin.  How can you do things differently? Change your routine. Change your eating habits. Join a support group. Hire a coach. Make that phone call.

Become who you are. Start with a clean slate. Let go of anything that is no longer working in your life. Live your values. Do life your way. Stop seeking approval from others.

Focus. With your goal in mind, write down your three most important tasks every day. Put  all of your focus on these three things. When you are finished, do it again.

Embrace opportunity. Believe in possibilities. Keep an open mind. Practice saying “yes.” There has never been a better time to be alive.

Journal. Express your strong feelings, change your thinking, develop clarity, and come to new conclusions. 

Find a role model. Find others who have been through difficult times and have came out ahead. Model their behavior. Listen to podcasts, read books, find stories of others who have gone on to succeed.

Forgive yourself and others. Nobody is perfect. All things come to an end. Don’t compare your circumstances to others. Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t beat others up. Use your energy to move on to new opportunities and better things.

Have a positive attitude. Read The Diary of Anne Frank or Mans Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. We can't control life. We can't prevent bad things from happening. Our power comes from how we react to what happens.  

You are worthy. Believe you are worthy and powerful. Listen to your heart. Open yourself to guidance, trust, and unconditional love, and acceptance.

New doors open in times of loss, crisis, and tragedy. In moments of darkness, remember that not only will the sun shine again, it will shine even brighter than before.

There's a crack in everything. That's how the  light gets in.
~Leonard Cohen

Are you willing to give yourself a second chance?