NEW CASTLE —
An old proverb is great medicine for anyone who is unhappy with perceiving failed goals. It’s “Do not look where you fell but where you slipped.”
In the real success stories of life, it’s about knowing where to keep your attention that creates the win. If you stay focused on the goal, and the habits that most meet the goal, when you slip, you will tend not to dwell on it.
Even when you “slip up,” whether in a large or small way, knowing the habits and patterns that led you off track is your rich knowledge of experience. This knowing can lead to your long-term success. In this perspective, awareness matters. It’s the “knowing” that counts.
Knowing where you tend to slip and knowing where you hold strong, knowing what you prefer, and knowing what you are willing to give up and what you are not willing to give up accumulates as personal wisdom to help you to achieve your goal.
There is also the “knowing” of what you need to meet your goals. This leads to preparation as another key to success. Preparation requires thoughtfulness.
Contemplating the tools, circumstances, environments and people that will help you to set out to meet your vision is paramount to seeing it come to pass. You are worth the prep time.
Sometimes it is the “not knowing” that becomes the hindrance. When you are attempting something new, you may not know the slippery slopes to achieve your goal. Don’t let it stop you. It is your opportunity to learn more about yourself. Be willing to grow.
Unconscious desire is what can lead you from your true desire. It is a kind of toxic not knowing that can kill your goals. Impulsiveness is one example. You will need to admit this trait in order to conquer the barriers that may plague your success. Impulsiveness is different than spontaneity.
While spontaneous action is the natural progression of what you feel is good, impulsiveness comes from choosing without considering the outcome and whether it meets your goal. This recklessness can lead to sabotage and much frustration.
Sometimes the barriers are only fears based on past experiences or attempts. Have you taken into account how you have grown and changed?
With each attempt to meet your goals, you have the good and the bad of the experiences that have gone before. This is wisdom gained. With self honesty, you can admit your weaknesses and celebrate your strengths before you begin again.
Enthusiasm is a strong sense of excitement or feeling a passion toward your goal. When you begin having this strong sense of excitement is best when you move from the heart and not the head. Sometimes we think we will accomplish something. Thoughts are often not enough to carry you through to meet your goal. Feel your desire to succeed.
The best advice that I would give anyone about making changes is don’t give up. Then wisdom is knowing that there is no failure except in no longer trying. It is the knowing that you will never give up, even if you do have to start again. Determination is the will to know that you can continue onwards toward meeting your goals.
It was Thomas Edison who said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
That is optimism. When we each can determine to see our failures as having very little to do with our goals, the best in each of us can be achieved. Here’s to success
Hearty Vegetable Lasagna
- 1 (16 ounce) package lasagna (preferably, whole wheat)
- 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 3/4 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (26 ounce) jars pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
- 2 eggs, or egg substitute equivalent
- 1/2 cup low fat grated Parmesan
Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Rinse with cold water, and drain. In a large saucepan, cook and stir mushrooms, green peppers, onion and garlic in oil. Stir in pasta sauce and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
Mix together ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and eggs.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce into the bottom of greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half each, lasagna noodles, ricotta mix, sauce and parmesan cheese. Top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
