Archive | July, 2015

Sucker Punch

26 Jul

Sometimes we get an unexpected surprise that knocks us off our feet. A “sucker punch” shakes us and suddenly everything is different. It can happen with a job – you go to work one day, and out of the blue you’re fired, let go, or laid off. Maybe there were unforeseen changes in the corporate structure, maybe your boss just decided to down size, or a thousand other reasons, and suddenly you’re out of a job. Or it can happen in our personal lives – we might see the person we’ve been involved with out with someone else in an intimate situation, and suddenly our world turns on its axis. It can happen anywhere, at any time. It’s always unexpected, and usually upsetting. We can’t predict the future, and even at times in our lives when we think things are going fine, everything can change in an instant.

These events tend to take our breath away. Since we don’t see them coming, there is no way to prepare for them. We can be caught in disbelief, we can be lost trying to figure out what just happened, and it takes time to process the change. When we’re shaken, it’s hard to think, hard to figure things out, and hard to look ahead. We need some time to let the change sink in, and how much time that takes depends on us, and the circumstances. Once we realize this is for real, and get over the shock, we have to reorder our lives, and re-position our direction. It’s not easy to adjust to sudden change, but in time, we’ll begin to start figuring things out again.

Changes in our lives are normal. Abrupt changes in our lives are difficult but we can handle them. Instead of a gradual turn on our path, facing a complete stop is hard. It’s not a permanent stop but it takes time to readjust, and get our footing again before we can go forward. When we’re ready, if we take it one step at a time, we’ll find our way in a new direction, and be able to move on. Our confidence will return, our heads will clear, the shock will wear off, and we’ll be ready to start again.

Today if you’ve been stunned or shocked by a sudden change in your life, hold on. Stand still for a while and catch your breath. There is nothing you can’t handle. Even if this hurts badly, you will get through it. Although the clouds may be dark now, there is sunshine ahead. You will laugh again. You just need some time to find a different direction. Take the time you need. When you’re ready your new path will be waiting for you. Look forward. There are wonderful and exciting times just ahead.

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It’s Already There

25 Jul

We’ve all read or heard stories about people who were facing extraordinary situations where they had to do amazing things to escape danger, or survive. We hear about heroism that has no limit, strength that defies the odds, and unbelievable endurance. Somehow in these extreme instances, those involved found within them the ability to overcome each situation and not only survive, but conquer. Sometimes we wonder how they were able to do it. Where did they find the courage? How did they manage it?

We may think we could never face situations like these. We may believe we don’t have what it takes, we aren’t strong enough, or we aren’t brave enough. But actually, when extreme situations arise, we can all find within ourselves attributes we may never have known we possessed. We will find a way to survive despite the obstacles, and we can pull from deep within us the willingness to keep going. It’s already there inside us. We just have to reach down, and get it.

At some point in all of our lives, we will be in situations where we will have to do more than we think we can. We will have to push harder than we believe is possible, and we will have to endure serious complications. Everyone will get the chance to prove their mettle. If we haven’t faced it yet, it is sure to come. And when whatever it is comes to us, even though at first we may feel we cannot possibly endure it, we will. We are far stronger than we realize, and we can do far more than we think we can. Everything we need for everything we face in this life is already inside us. We don’t have to study up, we don’t have to try to create it, and we don’t have to worry. We can handle whatever will come. We already have all we need.

Today if you’re facing a hard situation, something you don’t think you can handle, you can do it. You can manage it, no matter what it is, even if it’s really hard. You have all you need to get through it inside you. Rely on that. Trust in it, and take things one step at a time. You’ll overcome whatever this is, and you’ll be stronger when it’s over. Keep walking. You will succeed. This trial will end, and you’ll go forward with more confidence and clarity. Dig deep. What you need is already there. You can do this.

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Into the Unknown

24 Jul

What if someone offered you anything you wanted if you would do something for them?  The catch was they wouldn’t tell you what you had to do until after you agreed to doing it.  Would you take that leap?  Would you risk it to get to the prize?  It’s impossible to know what lies ahead in our lives.  We try to set things up so we feel safe, but sometimes we’re faced with a situation where we have to go forward into the unknown.  It’s disconcerting not to know where a journey is taking us, or what will happen when we get there.  It might be a great surprise that will bring us joy, or it might go the other way.   The routines of our lives give us the illusion of security, but really nothing is guaranteed.  Although it may be unsettling to do something completely new and strange, it can enhance our experiences.  If we only do the same things every day we don’t get the chance to stretch.  And stretching teaches us about life.

Sometimes we have the opportunity to take on dramatic changes in our lives.  Perhaps we are offered a new job that’s a step up, but is in a new location far different from where we’ve ever been before.  Maybe it’s an opportunity to travel to a strange and distant place where customs are vastly different from our personal experiences.  Or perhaps it’s the chance to be involved with others whose beliefs and lifestyles are extraordinarily different than our own.  Experiences like these may be foreign to us, and may cause us some discomfort as we go through them.  But if we allow ourselves the opportunity to venture into the unknown, we may learn things about ourselves and others that will be valuable.

One time I was asked to volunteer for an event at the local arena.  I didn’t know what was scheduled for that night, but I agreed to help out.  When I showed up, I discovered the event was extremely foreign to me, and the attendees were unlike anyone I was accustomed to interacting with.  I was assigned to work the concession stand for the evening with several others.  It was  interesting, and unusual to work with people who were so different than me.  Afterward I reflected on the experience.  I was way out of my comfort zone, and yet it had been rewarding.  I learned a lot about myself and those I interacted with.

Today if you’re offered the opportunity to do something you’ve never done before, something that may be somewhat unsettling, think about it before you say no.  There is a lot to be gained by stretching our experiences into areas that are unusual for us.  Try something new.  It will enhance your understanding of life, and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll learn about yourself.  This life is an adventure.  Today, stretch it a little.   Step into the unknown and take a look from the other side.  Your perspective will be enriched in ways you cannot imagine.

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The Sky is Falling

23 Jul

When we’re making plans for something we need to do or somewhere we need to go, we try to plan effectively so everything will go well.  But sometimes complications occur that are out of our control.  Sometimes it’s a small manageable glitch, but other times it seems like everything goes wrong.  The sky falls, and it’s a complete disaster.  It’s like our lives have turned into the Bermuda Triangle – everything has gone crazy, and nothing is working.   When we’re in the midst of these situations, it is very trying and difficult.  It can seem that the stars have aligned against us, and there are supernatural forces at work.  Of course, none of that is true.  We’re just going through a difficult situation that, for reasons we can’t explain, just keeps getting worse.  In the midst of the mess, it’s hard to keep going, and it’s hard to remain positive.  But sometimes we have no choice, and no matter how bad it gets, we have to trudge through it.

It’s important to reach out when we’re tormented, and feel beset.  We can ask for help.  Those who care about us want us to be safe, and happy.  They will assist us if we ask.  Sometimes we think we can handle things on our own, or we are embarrassed by the situation, and asking for help is difficult.  But if we try to face everything on our own, and it’s overwhelming, it will be much harder to solve than if we get help from others.  We’re only human, and everyone has been in situations like this.  We can get the help we need, we can get advice, and we can get assistance to navigate whatever we’re going through until we can manage it more effectively.  After things settle down we can learn from the experience and move forward.  Later when someone else is going through something similar we can return the favor and help them.  Our compassion for their situation will be enhanced by the experiences we’ve already faced.

It’s hard to cope when a lot of things go wrong at the same time.  We may find ourselves asking, “Why me?”  It can feel like we’ve been singled out for trouble.  But everyone gets the opportunity to experience these kinds of situations from time to time.  It’s never easy.  It’s never fun.  And it’s rarely expected, but we can navigate it.  It takes courage and patience, but we can handle it.  There really is nothing we will face in this life that we can’t manage.  Nobody wants to go through times like these, but when they come, we can manage them.  We are capable of handling whatever comes to us.  There is nothing that will defeat us.

Today if you are overcome with a situation that has become intense, and complicated, don’t hesitate to ask for help.  Turn to someone you trust.  Those who care about you will help and you’ll be able to get through the situation more comfortably.  You will conquer this, and you will be successful.  When the trial is over, remember how much it meant to have support when you needed it.  And then, do the same for those around you.  Remember, we’re not going through this life alone.  We’re all in this together.  Reach out when you need help, and be there when others need you.

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In For A Penny

22 Jul

Throughout our lives things come up, and we are asked to help out or assist in some way.  When possible we may agree, and offer our service.  Sometimes the tasks are easy and quick, and we are happy to help.  But other times, complications come up that make it harder for us to stick with our commitment.  For instance, say you have a friend who needs help moving furniture.  You agree to assist but when the day set apart for the move arrives, a huge storm rolls in, and it’s pouring rain.  Your friend tells you the move must happen that day, and you dread the chore.  It’s going to be much harder to do in the storm, and you would rather let someone else do it.  These situations come up routinely.  What at first can seem like a simple task sometimes turns into something more.  And when that happens, we have to decide if we’re in, or we’re out.  Even if we gave our word that we’d be there, we may be tempted to back out.

There is an old saying, “In for a penny, in for a pound.”  If we commit to something, we need to be committed all the way.  If we’ve said we would help when the task was easy, we need to stay if the task gets hard.  Commitment is easy for some of us, and harder for others.  But when we say we’ll be there, we need to be there.  We’re either in all the way, or we’re out.  There really is no middle ground.  So before we commit to anything, it would be wise to weigh all the possibilities to ensure we can follow through no matter what.

We’ve all had experiences with people letting us down.  Sometimes they say they’ll be there, but then don’t show up.  It’s disappointing when it happens, and definitely affects the relationship in a negative way.  There is great value in being dependable, and sticking with our decisions.  Of course, there will certainly be times when we say we’ll help thinking it’ll be easy, and then things happen making it more difficult.  What we do then defines our commitment.  Are we in no matter what?  Or do we back out when things go wrong?  It is noble, and right to stay the course.  Remember, who we are, isn’t what we say.  Who we are is what we do.

Today if you’ve made a commitment, and the situation has gotten difficult and complicated, stick with it.  Stay the course.  Be there.  Your friends and family will learn to rely on you, and trust you to follow through.  They’ll know that no matter what you’ll keep your word.  The trust of those we care about is invaluable.  It’s priceless.  Earn it.  Follow through.  Staying true will bring you satisfaction and confidence.  You will never regret making that choice.

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