Archive | August, 2015

Chameleon

11 Aug

We are all influenced by those around us. Sometimes we can be easily influenced by those we really like or admire. If we’re around someone frequently, we may find ourselves repeating certain phrases they often say, or copying their movements, which is a natural response to our involvement with them, and their influence over us. There is nothing wrong with this, so long as the carryover doesn’t keep us from being who we really are, or who we want to be. But there are times, when this influence can affect us negatively. There are all kinds of people in the world, and they will all teach us something. We can be like chameleons, absorbing the colors, the words and patterns around us, and making them our own.

If we have a friend or acquaintance that we admire, someone we enjoy spending time with, and their language patterns are different than ours, we may find over time that we begin mimicking the same patterns. If these are patterns that are derogatory such as excessive swearing or using expletives that are abrasive, we may find the addition to them in our vocabulary works against us. Human beings are adaptable by nature. If we hear something enough, it’s predictable that we’ll repeat it. If we repeat it enough, it may become routine in our everyday speech. If that change is lower than our desired standards, we may find it detrimental.

The same is true if we associate with someone who is extraordinarily kind, and uses words of compassion, and patience toward others. When we hear their tender phrases, we are impressed, and may choose to adopt those phrases into our lives. If we do, we may become more compassionate and patient by our association with them. It’s wonderful to meet people who are able to raise others up by their noble influence. If we have someone like that in our sphere it’s a benefit to learn as much as possible from them, and emulate their words and deeds. If we surround ourselves with people like that, we will be richly blessed.

Today, remember that the people you associate with are teaching you. Pay attention to what you’re hearing, and what you’re learning from them. Choose to spend time with those who will lead you to be the best you can be. We can learn nobility and valiance by emulating those who possess those traits. Today, find those friends, and learn all you can from them. You have so much to offer, and gaining good gifts will help you share more effectively.

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Signs

10 Aug

There are a lot of signs in our lives.  They inform us, caution us, and give us direction.  There are traffic signs, road signs, sale signs, address signs, and many others.  They are helpful, and we see them everywhere.  Exterior signs are useful, but what about the signs in our personal lives?  They pop up from time to time to help us find our way, or correct our course.  For instance, if we don’t exercise and our health starts to suffer, it may be a sign that we need to start.  If we eat too much and our clothes start to get tight, it may be a sign that we need to stop.  If we argue a lot with those around us, it may be a sign that we aren’t listening effectively.  There are a limitless number of personal signs in our lives that teach us, warn us, or make us more aware.

Paying attention to signs is important.  There is a reason they are there, and they are helpful.  But sometimes we get busy, and ignore our personal signs.  If someone we love keeps trying to reach us but we don’t respond, and later realize they needed us and we weren’t there, we may wish we had listened.  If our car makes a strange noise but we’ve got a lot to do so we push it off, and then suddenly it stops altogether, we may wish we had paid attention.  Perhaps we wake up with a headache but are in such a rush we don’t take a moment to see how we’re really feeling.  Then we head out to a busy day, only to be derailed by illness in a very uncomfortable situation, and wish we had waited before we left.  Signs are important, and paying attention to them is equally important.

We can do anything we want with our lives.  We can ignore good advice, we can eat and drink too much, neglect exercise, work constantly, isolate ourselves or anything else we want to do.  Even when we know some things may hurt us in the long run, we might choose to do them anyway.  And when we fail to notice our personal signs, we can find ourselves in uncomfortable situations.  Life gives us a lot of discomfort we can’t control.  It seems wise to try to control the discomfort we give ourselves.  So it’s important to pay attention when we feel reminded to do something, or when there is a sign that we aren’t going down the best path.  When those promptings come, we need to stop and re-evaluate.  Signs are there to help us, to remind us, and to show us the way.  It’s important to see them, listen to them, and consider their significance.

Today if you feel like you’re getting a little nudge to change something in your life, pay attention to it.  Take a look at the issue and determine if you need to change.  Listen to your feelings and inspiration.  Today decide to not just do what you want, but to listen.  You deserve the best of everything.  Do what you can today to achieve it.

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Push and Pull

9 Aug

When we have an idea we want others to buy into, or when we have something we want to do and we need the help of others, it’s important that we are able to convince them to join us. If it’s something we’re passionate about, or something we are sure is right, we may be forceful in explaining why they must join us. We may try to push them into agreeing, or in some way try to make them come along. Even if we have the best idea ever conceived, trying to force others to join us usually doesn’t work. Everyone has their own ideas to offer, and most of us aren’t receptive to someone telling us we have to do things their way. If we try to push people into coming to our side, we may push them away instead.

So how can we get the support we need? If pushing and force won’t work, what will? Imagine trying to push a bulky object up a hill. When we are behind something pushing it, we can’t see what’s ahead on the path. There may be obstacles that need to be avoided in order to succeed, but we’re in the back pushing with all our might, and we can’t see them. When we run into them they impede our progress, making the task even harder than it was. On the other hand, if we are in front of the object, pulling it up the hill, we can see every complication as it comes along, and avoid pitfalls. It’s the same with people. Most of us do not respond well to being pushed. It’s irritating to be told we have to do something we haven’t agreed to. But we can be pulled into an idea if we are informed, and given time to understand why we should join in.

Pulling people in is much more effective than pushing them. Taking the time to explain what the plan is, what is needed to make it happen, and what is being requested helps others understand why they are needed. We can explain why it’s important to us, and then ask – not force – but ask for their help. Most of us would respond more positively treated this way. If we want cooperation, being positive will more likely bring the results we are seeking.

Today if you have something important you want to accomplish, and you need the help of others, pull them in by explaining what your plans are, and ask them to join you. Ask without expectation that they will agree. Ask, understanding they may accept or decline. If you are open and friendly, your demeanor will bring them in. You will be successful in getting the help you need. You have everything you need to succeed already. You can do anything.

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Inspire Me

8 Aug

One time I went to a job interview for a job I really thought I wanted. When I got there, the CEO of the company met with me and talked to me about his organization. When he finished, he looked me in the eye, and said, “Inspire me.” I was dumbfounded. Inspire him? I didn’t even know him. I had no idea what he was expecting so I began talking about what I thought I could bring to the company, and tried to be as confident as possible. When I was done, he smiled, and said, “Thank you for coming in,” and that was it. I left feeling completely confused and lost. I had not been prepared for the interview as it was, and knew I hadn’t gotten the job. And I was right.

Inspiration is an intangible, undefinable entity. It means different things to different people. What inspires me may leave you yawning and looking at the clock. What inspires you may confound me. It’s very personal and individual. There are all kinds of inspiration. Sometimes it comes to us as a prompting – an idea that rolls around in our heads suggesting something we should do. When we pay attention to it, it may lead us where we want to go. We may feel inspired to do small things, like call a friend, or look for something we’ve lost in a specific place. And sometimes when we listen and follow through we find that the friend we called needed someone to talk to just then, or the missing item was exactly where we were inspired to look. We’ve all experienced moments where inspiration has guided us. It’s a special feeling we get, perhaps a feeling of confident understanding when there is nothing to support it.

There may have been times in your life when, for no reason you can identify, you felt you had to do something. Upon doing the task, you discovered it gave you something you were seeking, or took you somewhere you needed to go. Personal inspiration comes from deep inside us. Some people think it comes from a higher power. Some people think it comes from repressed memory or thought. It doesn’t matter where it comes from. The important thing is to listen when we feel it. There is a reason the suggestion has come to us. If we listen to it, and act on it, there may be something positive waiting for us.

Today if you feel inspired to do something you hadn’t planned, do it. Take a chance. There’s a reason you’re feeling directed this way. Find out what the reason is. You are intelligent, and you may be wise. If you follow the quiet promptings you get, you may find satisfaction and surprise. This life is a wonderful experiment. Do everything you feel inspired to do. Live to the fullest. When you look back you won’t have any regrets.

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Full Value

7 Aug

Most of us try to do our best most of the time.  When we’re asked a question, we try to give the best answer we can.  When we need to present something, we try to prepare.  But no matter how well we do, sometimes there are those who will question us, some who may doubt us, and even some who won’t believe anything we say.  When we are being truthful and forthright, we deserve every consideration.  But sometimes we aren’t given that.  Sometimes our comments are discounted, and not given full value.  There are a lot of reasons for this, and each situation is different.  When it happens to us it’s disappointing at best, and infuriating at worst.  Either way, it hurts.

When we are doing our best and someone discounts us, it hurts. There are all kinds of people in the world, and everyone has their own ideas about how things work.  Differences come from a lot of influences.  Perhaps we grew up with certain ideas, maybe there are cultural pressures, or impressions may be altered by previous life experiences.  None of us has a completely blank slate.  There is all kinds of information on which we draw when we come to conclusions in every situation.  We can be pulled in one direction or another for myriad reasons.  Sometimes those reasons help us see things more clearly, and sometimes they mask the truth.  It’s up to us to figure out which is which.

When we are being discounted, when our comments are ignored, when our ideas are unheard, or our suggestions are pushed aside, we may feel unappreciated.  It’s important to remember that even if our input is not being valued, it’s not because it’s not valuable input.  It doesn’t mean we don’t have something to offer.  Our place is to make the offer, to give our best, and do our part.  If nothing we do garners the attention we are seeking, we may need to turn our course, and go another way.  There are a thousand ways to be part of any scenario.  We may have to find another approach to join in.  Our ideas are just as valuable as anyone else’s.  Each one of us is worthwhile, and has something to offer.  If that’s not being recognized, we may need to find another way to express ourselves.  We may need to knock on a different door.

Today if you feel invisible, if you are not being heard and feel discounted, remember you are valuable, and so is your input.  Your contribution is important.  If you aren’t getting through, try another way in.  If you look for it, you will find a way to be recognized.  You have a lot to offer, and people need to hear you.  Keep trying.  You are worth more than you realize.  The world is a better place because you’re here.

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