Nobody likes a cheater. So why do we let ourselves be cheated? We have all been persuaded, deceived, or influenced by a lie. However, we don't have to be outright lied to in order to be lured into believing we would be better off if ____ (fill in the blank). We don't even have to believe we would be better off, we just have to believe that whatever we are choosing to do or believe will benefit us or those we love in some way.I can't even count how many women I have come across who are burned out, stressed, over-tired, and ready to throw in the towel, but for whatever reason, they continue to over-commit to keep the status quo going in their family or work. So how do we know what is permissible? Some people can give nearly all their possessions away and be perfectly content, others can't live without having tangible beauty around them. Some need to exercise to keep their sanity, while others can go without and still feel OK. There is no single right answer.
What we need to ask ourselves is, what am I doing or thinking that is cheating me from creating the joy I desire for my life? I faced this head on when I realized I was too attached to running. Of course exercise is good for me, and of course it is healthy, but in the end, my obsession with it was keeping me from connecting with the people I loved. What I thought I needed and couldn't live without, was really simply all about me. It was a self-absorbed way for me to get a fix. In letting go of what I thought I should do or what I had to do, I realized I could run for fun. I started to see how running wasn't my identity, it was just a way of moving. What is keeping you from living out your deep values, morals and beliefs? What is cheating you out of love, compassion, joy, abundance, or content? Nothing can cheat you of these things if you take responsibility for your actions. Examine your walk. Does it line up with your values, morals, and beliefs? Are you making clear choices based on these rather than the should's, ought to's, or guilty persuasions?
