A quote that I heard many years ago popped into my head unexpectedly today. "Never complain. Never explain."

I Googled it, and found it attributed to both Henry Ford and Katherine Hepburn. Interesting, but off the point.

I started wondering why this particular quote came to me. I really don't complain much anymore, so that didn't seem like much of a challenge.

When I heard this quote in the past, I remember thinking that "never explain" sounded pretty arrogant. Like "I don't care what anyone thinks about what I do or say." I guess my perspective has really changed...because I don't find that arrogant at all anymore. Rather, I find it admirable.

Why should I care what anyone else thinks about me or what I do?

Hmmm...

So, I have decided to embark on an experiment. I've written "NEVER EXPLAIN" on an index card, which I'm carrying with me. I intend to become aware of every time I explain myself when it's not strictly necessary. (I will explain to my contractor how I want the cabinets placed, but not why - unless he asks.)

I am seeing several things that may come from this.
First, I will save a lot of time by not justifying every decision I make.
Second, I will trust in my own motives and reasoning more, and rely less on outside validation.
Third, I will assume that others will ask if they want clarification. If they don't, I won't read anything into it.

I think there may be other things to learn from this as well, and that they will come as I continue this experiment.

I also think that I may be surprised at how many times I actually do give unnecessary explanations. (I intend to count them.)

We'll see where this leads...

Key elements to happiness - for me.

Acceptance

Offering no resistance to what is. What happens is just what happens. It doesn't have to affect me in any particular way. I choose my reaction to any circumstance. If i choose to accept it, and say, 'OK, what do I do next?', it changes everything.

Staying Present

Focusing on what is right in front of me keeps me doing what I can and out of worrying about what I can't. I can't foresee the consequences of my actions anyway, so why try? I can only live here and now. So let's get to it!

Trust

Knowing that all is well, even when I can't see how. Having the faith of my lifelong lesson - 'things always work out'. Sometimes it takes a long time to see why and how it happens, and having the strong belief that all is well helps remove the resistance. That has always been the story of my life. All the events and circumstances - and my reactions to them have made me who I am now. Why should I want to change any of that?

Staying Busy

Doing what I can - from where I am. Just moving forward, using my abilities to their fullest, and trusting my choices. Staying away from over-thinking all the possible consequences. Just doing the best I can, and following my intuition. Doing what feels right in the moment, aligning my doing with my being.

I keep coming back to this:
'Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. It will be enough.' - Arthur Ashe

Thought: I create the framework of my life, and the Universe creates the content.

I find that when I remain who I want to BE, whatever the circumstances, and accept what is, knowing that nothing can truly harm me without my collaboration - - then all truly is well!

This is my success formula!

For me, it doesn't feel so much like finding my passion as it does finding ME. Once I allowed myself to see and accept me - my strengths, my gifts, what I do well AND what I don't - and let go of trying to change a few things to make me more ....... whatever.

That's when I found it! I AM what I AM. Today I stop trying to add to that. And I start using it.

I already AM.

BIG is the new small.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
- - Arthur Ashe

I don't need a reason.
I don't need reason.

It's OK if my "to-do" is simply "Ask"....

The true measure of my growth is that I am "handling" my life and all its challenges better than I did in the past.

The only thing I am an expert at is my own life.