Do You Live Your Life Backwards?

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:
they try to have more things, or more money,
in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse.
You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do,
in order to have what you want.

~ Margaret Young ~

How true this truly is! We are always striving for more yet never truly satisfied. How often do you strive for “things” or money but at the end of the day, they’re just things. If we don’t start within ourselves and genuinely happy, then it seems no amount of money would change that. Is that right?

I was flipping channels the other night as I wanted to unwind from my day. I see Robert Herjavec (of Dragon’s Den Fame) on an interview and he said the most compelling words. Something like: ‘Your sense of worth is not the stuff you have, it’s the people you have.’ I thought for a long time I had to become rich in order to believe in myself. For my own well-being I had to become rich. I realized if you weren’t happy before you’re not going to be happy with a million dollars or a hundred million or five hundred million.’

Wow. These words hit me and are so very, very true. We must strive for internal happiness and if having regrets, negative feelings or ill-feelings of a situation or memory, it must be dealt with. Why? Because that feeling and memory will always be with you.

What’s the point of striving for only monetary things if thinking that buying this “happiness” would make everything go away? At the end of the day, alone and looking in the mirror, if you’re not happy then the image looking back at you will still be miserable and the feeling that something missing. As you read this blog you may think “no way, money would definitely make me happy and solve everything, she’s crazy because it would make everything go away”. You truly have to look within and ask yourself, would it really? Sure, it may help situations of affordability but look at Robert’s words and he knows from personal experience!

I may not be “rich” or a millionaire monetary-wise but I can’t complain. I am “rich” and blessed with so many things that I value in life and have my priorities. Family, friends, colleagues, networking group, investments, health and a great career that I absolutely love. What matters to me, may not matter to you which is what is great about this world we live in. Sure, I live in visions of wanting to create wealth like anyone else but I also have a personal “Belize” and reason why. Financial freedom for my future but also because I want to give back. My true hearts desire is to be a philanthropist.

Anyway, I want to leave you with a few thoughts and just remember:

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.”
So look deep within and do your best to change your attitude and take out any negativity in your life. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals and develop new patterns. Write down in a journal positive words you can use to replace things like “can’t” “problem” etc. For example, instead of saying “problem” I embrace it and say “challenge” because in my mind, I love the challenge and it’s something to overcome
For more on Robert, pick up his book. I did and it was a fantastic, inspiring and humbling read! Few tips he offered:

1. Get a handle on cash flow.
2. Find a belief and a purpose.
3. Don’t fear the phone, ask for the deal.
4. Don’t complain.
5. Give your kids a sense of worth.


I truly wish you much success in your journey of being who you really are, doing what you need to do, in order to have what you want!!

Thanks for viewing! As always, have a great day and remember to “Empower yourself and inspire change in others”