“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” — Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King wrote, in a 1956 sermon in Montgomery, Alabama, that “love is the most durable power in the world.”  He believed in “always avoiding violence.”  “If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.”    He advocated for “using only the weapon of love.”

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with hateful and angry comments; criticism and judgment.  They are being spread in all forms of media and personal conversations.  What is legacy we are leaving our children? 

If we want peace, we need to be peaceful.  If we want love, we need to be loving.  If we want change, we need to be the change. 

As Mahtma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”  

“Don’t die with your music still inside.  Listen to your intuitive inner voice and find what passion stirs your soul.”  —  Wayne Dyer

What is YOUR music?  Do you have an intuitive inner voice and passion that stirs your soul? What were you meant to do or dreamed of doing?  What are you passionate about?  What comes natural to you?  Why are you not following your inner voice?  Have you taken time to listen to that inner voice?

Are excuses holding you back?  Many of those excuses come from years of hearing them from others and telling yourself those same excuses.  Why are you believing them as fact and letting them control your life?  Ask yourself if those excuses are even true?  Did you pick up some beliefs over the years and are letting them hold you back?  You need to take responsibility for achieving your dreams. 

What excuses are you using? 

Are you blaming others?  Why are you giving others your power?  Where is that getting you?  It is a waste of your energy and your dreams. 

It is too difficult.  You have no idea if this excuse is even true.  Look for opportunities in your path and move.  If you go into it looking for the obstacles, you will find obstacles and overlook the opportunities.

I can’t afford it?  Have you tried?  Look for options.  Do what you can and keep your eyes open.  Do not let others tell you that it is too difficult and you cannot afford it.  Do they really know the truth?  

No one will help me.  Have you asked for help?  Actively look for those interested in helping. 

I am not smart enough.  Who tells you  that?  You?  Then stop it; it is an excuse not a fact.  It takes different types of intelligence for different passions.  When you are doing something you are passionate about, it just comes naturally for you.  

I am afraid and need a safety net.  Then set up the safety net but start moving forward.  Don’t use this as an excuse to not move at all.  The common saying is “one step at a time.”

I am too busy and don’t have the energy.  It is amazing how we can find the energy when we start doing something we love.  Make the time.  Stop spending so much time on ruminating about things that are not productive, untrue, and are holding you back.  Get out of the past and the future; this is where depression and anxiety lie.  Get into the present and MOVE!

Where did your beliefs and excuses come from…your past?  Are they even true today or have you just convinced yourself they are true?  Why are you keeping them?  What is their value?  Are these beliefs just holding you back?  What would your life look like if you let them go?  Can you change?  Of course you can change!  You can always change yourself, it is others you cannot change.  This leaves you with the big question: Are you willing?

Become conscious every moment about the excuses you are telling yourself.  Learn to let them go and find your passion in this moment. This will lead you to your music!

Kathi Ackerman, MSW, LGSW, LADC