You Possess the Keys to your own Shackles...

I watched an episode of House with the roomies last night about a war veteran that had lost the greater portion of his right limb in battle. All he could remember was the pain he experienced just before his right hand was blown off. And so for 36 years, all he allowed himself to experience was the same wretched pain in that right limb. House took him hostage one evening, made him stick his limbs into a box where a mirror was strategically placed to reflect the undamaged left limb. This gave someone looking into the box the impression that there lay two healthy limbs. House forced him to watch the illusion of his own "two" clenched hands. Then he forced him to unclench them slowly. And suddenly, the pain from his right limb disappeared. This proved that the distress he had placed on himself was all psycological. The moment he believed he had witnessed his 2 hands release from the clenched position was when he felt relief for the first time in 36 years.

And in the same way, I ask myself where this reflective box exists in my life. How do I reach the mindset that my goals are attainable, challenges are never too difficult, and that new beginnings and happiness exist? More importantly, what helps me overcome the mental blocks and obstacles I've created for myself?

Why, the answer is simple: Hope, faith, perserverance, optimism, patience, and love.