Focus on the Ability to Respond - Be Self Actualizing

Focusing on the potential in ourselves and in every situation can totally change how one may respond in any given situation. James Allen, a nineteenth century philosopher and author of nineteen books, one being As a Man Thinketh, wrote "Circumstances don't make a man, they reveal him."

In the twentieth century, Dr. Abraham Maslow was a pioneer in transformational psychology and defined 'self-actualizing' individuals as "people who seek the frontiers of creativity and strive to reach higher levels of consciousness and wisdom. "

A 23 year old woman was critically injured in a hit and run accident. Paralyzed from mid-chest to her toes, married she now has two young children (both born after the accident), drives, manages her home, drives, gardens. Extremely social, when this young woman attends a party she lights up the room. No one notices the wheel chair or her frail body - all they see is her.

William Shakespeare -

"The choices we make, dictate the life that we lead."

Life keeps throwing us different circumstances big and small. Sometimes, little things seem really big and if we constantly react as if something is happening to us or around us as if we have little or no control then we a revealing our inability to respond. If on the other hand, we behave in a manner that is responsive and thoughtful, appreciating that we have the potential to handle any circumstances that come our way - then we become fully actualized.