I read this quote the other day, and while I’ve seen similar ones before, this one caught my eye:
You are the author of your story. If you’re stuck on the same page, remember that at any moment, you have the power to write a new chapter.
But, what exactly does that statement mean to me? “I’m the author of my own life story, and I have the power to write a new chapter”? What if I’m 15, and it seems like everyone else it trying to write my story, tell me what to do, and control my life? What if things happen to me that I have no control over? What if my parents get divorced, or my best friend moves away, or my partner cheats on me, or I don’t get the scholarship, or I end up benched the whole season or . . . you fill in the blank?
You might be feeling stuck, like that new chapter is just out of reach. You might not feel like you have the power to make a change. But you do! You are capable of so much! When you decide that yes, you ARE the author of your story, and YES, you’re going to write a new chapter, guess what? You can! Here’s some tips:
- You are responsible for you. You may not be able to change what happened to you, but you can change how you respond. It’s impossible to change someone else, you can only change you. And as you change and take charge of your life, it will impact those around you.
- Think positive. The way you think has a huge impact on how you live. If you focus on the good things that you do have, like your strengths & skills, then you’ll naturally start to use them more. Don’t listen to your inner critic, you are good enough!
- Practice thankfulness. Look for the good things that do happen to you, or even the “good side of a bad thing”. Maybe you ended up on the bench, but you made some good friends and probably learned some good lessons. Thankfulness changes your whole perspective!
- Earn trust. As a teen, you may feel like the adults in your life are keeping you from that new chapter you want. Be on the lookout for opportunities to show that you can be trusted. When they trust and respect you, they’ll give you that freedom you crave!
- Take risks. Sometimes, that new chapter looks scary. Maybe you’ve had a goal or dream for a long time, but just never quite had the guts to do it. Go for it! Whether it’s trying out for the drama club or making a new friend, you can do it.
- Be patient. If you mess up, you didn’t fail—you just learned one way something didn’t work. You have the power to make a new choice and start another chapter at any moment. And remember, some dreams and goals take time to achieve. Break them down into steps and focus on one step at a time.
- Change the characters. If you have people in your life that are not treating you well, you don’t have to include them in your story. The people in your story need to add value to you.
Your past does not control your future. Some of the most influential people had to overcome incredible odds to get to where they are today. You, too, can overcome the odds. Write your story and make it fabulous!
What new chapter are you going to work on today?