The beginning of the year is a time of reflection for many of us. We look back and think of what went well and what we could change in, add to, or ban from our lives. Sometimes we may come to the conclusion that an adjustment is necessary. I remembered this post I shared about 10 years ago and thought it would make a good first post of the year. Always remember: new beginnings can be made every day!

Within my important breakthrough year, I printed the 18 excuses from Wayne Dyer’s book Excuses BeGone we mostly use instead of just going for what we feel inside. In turn, I hung 6 of them in my kitchen that spoke most to me. I went for each of them and made enormous steps in growing myself.

We all are born with a free spirit within. A little child doesn’t know about limiting beliefs to fit into society. It looks at the world without any judgment but with the joy of discovering so much. It simply perceives and stands in awe in front of everything it discovers. May it be snow, an ant, a cat, rain, a dandelion,… That child just goes for what it feels in its young heart. But over time it might be taught many things it “has to learn in life to fit into the system”. I don’t talk about being respectful cherishing nature, being helpful, and being compassionate. I talk about “life is a constant struggle and you need to fight for your right and your luck” or to suppress your nature and “be the way I tell you to be”. There can be these messages like “you are not worth this”, “you are unable”,” this is too difficult for you”, or “you will never make it”. It might be taught about moral beliefs although we all have a sense of morality. We all feel what’s right or wrong. But we can be influenced by the ethical beliefs of others which can result in hatred against other people, cultures, and religions. It can result in even hating ourselves, our bodies, our opinions, and our being. The child might be taught that there is only one way this life can be managed, lived, and brought to “perfection”.

Over time, the child might be convinced about everything it was told all life. But it might feel differently about many things. That’s the war that blusters inside. That’s the process when we grow up and have to decide what belongs to us and what doesn’t. The grown-up child mostly believes what they were taught but does not trust their feelings, inner truth, conviction, calling, and path. They might even be afraid to follow this call because it could be against “the rules”. The child starts using excuses to free itself from the inner pressure and to confirm that it has to stick with the belief system it was raised with. It doesn’t even realize that it lives a life against its nature. It thinks that this nagging voice has to be overcome since it only blocks living a “normal” life. But that will never work. It cannot deny its nature, and the inner fight will become harder and harder.

It is not always easy to step over our comfort zone, but it is possible. Once we overcame only one of the false beliefs about ourselves, humanity, or life and its naturally given rules, we realize it all was just a big misunderstanding. In the beginning, I was scared when I started to apply my newly won insights in life. But when things unfolded in unexpected and beautiful ways, I made another step out of my prison and another step, and another one… I noticed that my fear was only an illusion. It was never true, but I only believed it was. I lived a truth against myself, against my purpose, against life! But living means loving what we do and doing what we love.

Here are the 18 excuses in Wayne Dyer’s book Excuses BeGone. I highly recommend it to all of you. You may find yourself in some, many, or even all of them! Check if there is one excuse that spontaneously speaks to you. Print it and pin it to your mirror in the bathroom, your computer, your car’s dashboard, just where you can see it during the day. Repeat the affirmation as often as possible and see what happens.

1. It will be difficult – I have the ability to accomplish any task I set my mind to with ease and comfort.

2. It’s going to be risky – Being myself involves no risks. It is my ultimate truth, and I live it fearlessly.

3. It will take a long time – I have infinite patience when it comes to fulfilling my destiny.

4. There will be family drama – I would rather be loathed for who I am than loved for who I am not.

5. I don’t deserve it – I am a Divine creation, a piece of God. Therefore, I cannot be undeserving.

6. It’s not my nature – My essential nature is perfect and faultless. It is to this nature that I return.

7. I can’t afford it – I am connected to an unlimited source of abundance.

8. No one will help me – The right circumstances and the right people are already here and will show up on time.

9. It has never happened before – I am willing to attract all that I desire, beginning here and now.

10. I’m not strong enough – I have access to unlimited assistance. My strength comes from my connection to my Source of being.

11. I’m not smart enough – I am a creation of the Divine mind; all is perfect, and I am a genius in my own right.

12. I’m too old (or not old enough) – I am an infinite being. The age of my body has no bearing on what I do or who I am.

13. The rules won’t let me – I live my life according to Divine rules.

14. It’s too big – I think only about what I can do now. By thinking small, I accomplish great things.

15. I don’t have the energy – I feel passionate about my life, and this passion fills me with excitement and energy.

16. It’s not my personal family history – I live in the present moment by being grateful for all of my life experiences as a child.

17. I’m too busy – As I unclutter my life, I free myself to answer the callings of my soul.

18. I’m too scared – I can accomplish anything I put my mind to because I know that I am never alone.

In Love and Light!