Starting Over

Making a Difference One Life at a Time

So, you’ve made some poor choices in the past and now you’re ready to start over. Starting over is a noble decision but not always an easy one. Are you really ready to start over?  Look at the following questions. If you can answer yes to these questions, then you are on your way to a fresh start. If you answer no to one or more of these questions, then perhaps you need to ask yourself if you truly want to start over.

1. Are you able to recognize your mistakes?

2. Have you assumed responsibility for your actions?

3. Are you apologetic (sorry) for the poor choice or choices you have made?

If you’ve answered yes, then let’s get started! Here are a few steps to starting over:

ü  Forgive. (Forgiveness doesn’t mean what was done was ok. It means we refuse to let it control our lives).  Forgive yourself and ask others you may have hurt for forgiveness. Forgiving yourself isn’t always easy, especially when you’ve hurt people you love but forgiveness is the key in moving forward.

ü  Let go of the shame. You made a poor choice and you are sorry. There are consequences for actions but with the support of friends and family, you can make it.

ü  Stand on your decision to start over. Your friends and even your family may not believe your transformation. Some may try to convince you to go back to your old ways, but stand on your decision to change. The more right choices you make, the more your friends and family will begin to notice the change and support your new choices.

ü  Find people to support you. If your friends and family are not helping you move forward, then you may need to find friends and family members that will support you and help you to succeed.   “If you want to soar with eagles you can’t hang around with turkeys!”

ü  Make a decision every morning that you will make good choices that will promote a healthy lifestyle, marriage, career and family.

Make this Declaration: 

I (state your name) will make good choices in order to have a healthy lifestyle. I will choose to surround myself with people that will support me and help me succeed. I, in return, will support others that are choosing to make good choices as well. I leave the past behind and I am moving forward, not in perfection but with great expectation.