Wake up to your potential

Wake up to your potential

I woke up this morning with a strange thought in my head: As a child, I had never really seen a future for myself. To say that was quite startling is an understatement!

Where my friends had definite ideas about what they wanted to do with their respective futures, or had seen themselves getting married, travelling the world, having children or well set in their career options, I had always drawn a blank. I couldn’t even have imagined going to university or what career options there were for myself. It was like I could only ever see what was right in front of me at that time… nothing more.

I found it really difficult to see beyond my twenty-first birthday – and the fact that I would be 26 in the year 2000 was, like wow, something out-there! Further than those vague notions, there was nothing. I had no clue, not even an inkling as to what I wanted to be, do or have beyond that specific day.

When asked to think about my future in Guidance classes, I drew a blank. It was like a black sheet in front of me. No colours, no light, nothing. Not even a guess. I simply couldn’t see my own nose let alone anything further on in time!

Now I am over 40 and I have loads of things I can see myself as being; a wonderfully inspiring coach; falling in love; living in peace. The list is endless.

As an adult I have realised I have seen so many things, the good the bad and the ugly. If you re-read that sentence, you will notice the ratio of negative to positive is 2:1. However with my adult vision, I am sure there is something I can do about that!

So, after my startling realisation this morning, I sat down to meditate, reflect and get some understanding on what this all meant to me…

Life is a blank canvas.

It is up to me to use my own imagination, my potential, to fill this beautiful blank canvas with whatever pictures, colours, feelings and emotions that I want. I get to paint the pictures of my life, my way. That excites me.

For me, it remains always a choice as to what I put on my canvas.

If I am angry, dark clouds cover the canvas. Any-one who looks on this picture gets drawn into the darkness, yuck!

However, if I choose to draw myself as a series of beautiful sunrises, with warm and bright captivating colours, any-one who looks on this masterpiece gets filled with the magnificence of a rising sun, of potential and endless possibilities.

My choices affect those around me as well. It is up to me to change my world and so change the world for others.

Let me assure you, I am no artist, but I can imagine. What I imagine, I can act on, and what I act on becomes my lived truth. Can you imagine the wonders if all the people on this planet chose to see life as amazing sunrises despite what was happening in their day to day lives? What if we could all feel free to imagine our best selves, paint those onto our canvas and let the world see that aspect of us?

Roald Dahl says “A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

Let me now choose to paint the picture of love, peace, success and eternity of abundance.

To my younger-self, I can now whole-heartedly say: “I understand why you couldn’t see past your own nose. You hadn’t yet realised life was a blank canvas. The choice to fill the spaces, to be who you are, was and always will be yours!”

Now, let us as one whole being, paint the world full of beautiful sunrises. I have all the clues I need, I know where I am going and I am changing that ratio of negative to positive to 1:2.

From here on out, I am still letting my potential, all my good thoughts proudly shine out – are you with me?

Explore your potential further with Cheryl-lya. Click here to book your free 20 minute virtual cuppa.

Cheryl-lya is a Soul Adventurer, helping women around the globe plan, launch and grow successful and sustainable businesses. She runs workshops alongside one-to-one coaching. To contact her: call UK mobile 07527 303 911, or visit her website soulscompass.net and schedule a free introductory session. Say ‘hello’ or share your joys via email: cheryllyas@btinternet.com 

Leave a comment

Join Our Mailing List

I share tips on project management, consulting and creative solutions.

Get these in your inbox.

logo image only