Witness Your Life

-Devlyn Steele 

The Question: Why Me?

The Answer: Why not you? 

"Why me" can be a very good question to ask. Most often though, when we ask "why me," we are not looking for real answers.  Instead of looking for solutions or seeking ways to improve our situation, we are complaining, making ourselves out to be the victim.  This habit forces us into a very narrow view of our lives that prevents us from being able to see the entire picture. This is like going to see a movie and keeping your eyes focused on only the corner of the screen. You can't possibly see what is really going on.   

When you ask "why me" you allow yourself to be forced into the corner of the screen, the "why me" corner. There is a much bigger picture to look at than just that corner. It is easy to understand how we allow ourselves to get stuck in the corner.  In many ways it is a natural reaction. That is all that "why me" is, a reaction. Instead of reacting to life, slow down, and take a look at the entire picture.  

Instead of allowing yourself to be pushed into the corner, pull back and witness your life. See the entire picture.

What choices and actions did I take that may have contributed to my current situation?

What lessons can I learn?

What choices and actions can I take from here that will lead me to a better place? 

While it is true that we are not always responsible for our circumstances and we do not always have control over them, we are in control of the choices we make going forward. When we make the decision to witness our life, we decide to slow down and see what the entire picture has to offer. We decide to learn from the events in our lives and choose a wise response, rather than live the reactionary life of a victim. 

Life will always be be filled with highs and lows, some of which you have a hand in creating, and some of which you do not. Regardless of your circumstances, you will always have choices. In order to understand the choices available to you and to live a life of consistent learning, you have to see the entire picture.  You have to witness your life. Don't allow yourself to get stuck in the corner, where all you can do is complain about what is happening to you. As I Ching put it, "The event is not important, but the response to the event is everything." 

This is the difference between living a reactionary life and living a life where you choose the response. This is the difference between being stuck in the corner, with a narrow view of your life, and pulling back to witness it all. After all, your life is your movie.  Don't you want to see the entire picture?