Archive | October, 2015

Digging Deep

21 Oct

When we go through situations in our lives that are difficult, and are really struggling to get through them, we sometimes think we can’t do it. We might think it’s just too hard, and we can’t manage. If there’s a way, we may try to run from the problem and avoid it. But oftentimes, there is only one way out, and that’s straight through it. We have to face where we are and find a way to navigate forward. At those times, we have to dig deep inside ourselves, pull all the strength and courage we have, and muster all our confidence to push through. Those situations are never easy and we may suffer while we’re navigating them. But while we’re pushing ahead, while we’re trying everything we can to move forward, we are learning more about ourselves and gaining strength even as we expend it. The harder the situation is, the stronger we get as we navigate it. It’s difficult to see the blessing when we’re struggling, but it will be apparent when we turn the page.

There are things that come into our lives that shake us, situations that seem insurmountable at first, and they can make us question our ability to survive. But each challenge, no matter how difficult, brings with it the opportunity to grow and learn more about who we are, and what we’re made of. If life was always easy, and nothing ever went wrong, we would never learn the skills we need to become fully aware and capable. The blessings that come to us when we are struggling are generally equal to the intensity of the struggle. If the situation is moderately difficult, we’ll learn a little. But if it’s very hard, and if it tries us deeply, we will grow and learn more about ourselves than we may have thought possible. We can always do more than we think we can, and we’re far stronger than we often recognize. It’s during times of great duress that we find our true strength and valiance. When everything is seemingly against us and we endure, we find out who we really are.

Knowing what we can do and how much we can overcome brings us confidence. When we’re in a situation that is frightening, and threatening, and our hearts are pounding because we’re unsure, we can still go forward. We can face the situation, and push through it to the end. When we do, we feel invincible when it’s over, knowing we faced the hardships, and despite them, got through. The confidence that comes on the other side of the trial is priceless, and teaches us more about ourselves. As we go through life and face one problem after another, navigate one seemingly impossible task at a time, and discover we can conquer them, we learn there is nothing we can’t face. There is nothing that will stop us. There is nothing that will overcome us. And that knowledge will guide us through anything that comes our way.

Today if you’re facing a situation that seems impossibly difficult, be confident. You can conquer whatever you’re facing. You will find your way through, and in the end, you’ll defeat every obstacle. You are strong and capable of facing anything that comes to you. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Keep moving forward.

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Taking Our Turn

20 Oct

In every group situation, in order to get things accomplished, there must be some sort of order, and leadership. If there was no plan and no leader, chances are nothing would get done. Leading requires responsibility and thought, and when opportunities to lead come up, if we want to, we can keep a low profile and not get involved. We can keep our heads down and study our shoes, but we can learn a lot more if we step up and take a turn in leadership. When geese migrate south for the winter, their “V” formation always has one bird at the very front leading the way. The primary responsibility of that position is to reduce air drag for the flock so they can fly as far as possible before needing to rest. The leader flies in the first position until they are tired, at which time they fall back into formation with the other birds. Immediately, another bird flies up to take the lead. This exchange happens many times throughout the flight, each one taking a turn at the front. Like geese, when we take on a leadership role, our responsibility is to reduce the stress of the project by showing the way for success. If we take our turn at the front, and do our part, we will enable goals to be accomplished, and we’ll learn a lot in the process.

When leading others, the first step is to understand the objective. Where is the group going? What are we trying to accomplish? Once we know that, we can make plans for successfully completing the task. We don’t have to do all the work ourselves, but may involve everyone on the team by delegating tasks to them. If everyone completes one small part of the project, no matter how great the job is, it will be accomplished. Being a leader doesn’t mean being the boss, and we can’t force anyone to do anything. But we can encourage them, and show the way. If we trust others to get things done, they will respond more positively than if we try to manage them. There is a saying that you can’t push a string. And you can’t. If you try, it will just bend and go nowhere. But you can pull a string and it will go wherever you take it. If we pull others along with the goal in mind, they will follow our lead.

Setting the example for leadership, whether the task is great or small, will help others learn to become leaders as well. If we lead with kindness, support, and patience, when we’re on the other side of the team as a participant, chances are we’ll get the same treatment in return from those in charge. If we are respectful and fair, we can be excellent leaders no matter what our current skills are. When we’re taking our turn at the front, and we need to reduce drag and show the way, if we include everyone in the plan and treat them well, we’ll accomplish the task, and be the example we want to be. We have everything we need to be great leaders. We just have to step up and take our turn.

Today if you have the opportunity to be a leader, take it. You can step up and be the one to show the way. Be kind and patient, and trust others with what needs to be done. They will respond positively and before you know it, the job will be accomplished. You have greatness in you, and the potential to be a great leader. Pull from that knowledge, and show the world what you can do. Take your turn, step up to the front, and be the best you can be. The experience will teach you more than you can imagine.

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Nonsense

19 Oct

Confusion is difficult to navigate. If we’re confused about a task we’re doing we could ask for help or look up information that will show us the way. If we’re confused about directions we can consult a map or use a navigation tool. But if we’re confused in a personal relationship, it can be hard to figure out what the problem is, and what to do. Most people are honest and forthright, and in relationships, most of us try to be upfront and not deceptive. But there are some people who have an agenda directed at their own desires, and will do whatever is needed to make it happen. Nobody really wants to be involved with people like that, either in a friendship or something closer.  But unfortunately in the beginning sometimes there is no way to know all the facts. Things may start out okay, and then we realize something is amiss.  Maybe what they say doesn’t match what they do, or they don’t follow through on their promises, and hurting us brings excuses but no changes. There’s a lot of nonsense – meaning it doesn’t make sense. When we get caught up in relationships with people like that it’s very confusing. And that confusion can be hard to untangle.

We often have inspiration, intuition, or a gut feeling when things aren’t quite right. It’s good to trust others. It’s good to believe what they tell us, and trust that they’ll follow through on their word. But if they don’t, and it happens repeatedly, it’s important for us to take a step back and look at the situation objectively. We need to look at the facts without reserve or filters. We need to set our feelings aside and look at what is really happening. If we pay attention to the reality of the situation, and let go of all the excuses and explanations, we can clear our minds and find truth. The truth is always available to us when we’re ready to see it. And the truth is what will bring us peace in the end.

When we get confused and things aren’t making sense, we can lose our footing, get tangled up, and keep going around in circles trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense. If we keep hoping things will improve and they don’t, we may get deeply hurt. And if we let ourselves be hurt again and again, we may forget how valuable we are, and that we deserve every blessing. Every day is precious and spending it on a situation that hurts us isn’t in our best interest. We are valuable and should be treated with care. If we’re in a situation where that isn’t happening, we need to re-evaluate our decisions going forward.

Today if you’re confused over a situation in your life, step back and look at things objectively. Look at what’s happening as an outsider, and be open to seeing the whole picture. You’ll find the truth and then can decide how to go forward. You are a precious gift to the world. There is nobody else like you. You deserve to be treated well, and with care. Remember how important you are. And then make decisions going forward that will bring you happiness.

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At Odds

18 Oct

When we decide we want to do something, or change something in our lives, the decision often comes with the need to modify our behavior in some way. Making the decision to change may be easier than implementing the necessary adjustments to our behavior to make the change a reality. For instance if we want to get fit but don’t take the time to exercise, or want to be more educated but don’t want to study, we work against ourselves. We are at odds with what we want to do. If we ignore what is needed to implement the change, and instead simply complain about not being successful, we will fail. It’s good to define our goals, but without action to make them happen, we aren’t going anywhere.

Routines give us a sense of order. We know what to expect, we know how we’re going to spend our time, and we feel comfortable in the sameness they offer. When we decide we want to change, it often means we also have to change our routine. We have to vary things and re-order them to accommodate the new challenge. Things may be bumpy for a while as we adjust to the new schedule. We will have to plan instead of just go through the motions, and pay attention so we adhere to the new model. The transition may be uncomfortable but if we keep the goal in mind we’ll get through more easily. After we’ve kept to the new agenda for a while, it will replace our previous routine and we’ll go forward with more confidence.

Change requires effort. Adjusting our routine is important but it’s just one step. We must also adhere to the actions needed to facilitate the change we’re seeking. Once we’ve decided what we want to do we must devote the required time and activity to the goal to achieve it. A half attempt will result in a half success, which really isn’t success at all. If we want something, we are perfectly capable of getting it. But we have to take the time and effort needed to get it done. We can live an easy life and do the same things every day. Or we can determine to get the most out of our time, push ourselves, and dedicate our lives to excellence and success. A life lived fully, and without reserve, brings more happiness and joy than a life lived complacently. The choice is ours, and we need to be sure the choice we make is the one we want the most.

Today if you’ve been trying to make a change and haven’t been successful, review your routine and make a plan to include whatever is needed for you to move forward. You can make any change you want, and you can do it effectively. Plan your actions to find success. Achieving your goals will bring you great satisfaction and confidence. Take charge and do what is needed to get there. You can do this. Push forward and you’ll reach the finish line.

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Trains

16 Oct

Have you ever been in hurry to get somewhere and been stopped by a train?  Maybe you were stressed, running late, and then suddenly there was a train blocking your progress.  A train.  And not a short one either, but a train pulling 50 cars on it.  You couldn’t make it go faster, and you couldn’t cut in front of it, so you had to wait.  Maybe you sat there fuming, frustrated, and maddened that you had to sit when you had so much to get done.  But trains happen, and when they do, we have to wait.  When we’re in a hurry and are trying to catch up, having our progress stopped is discouraging, and can really knock the wind out of our sails.  It might be a train, but often it’s because of a decision someone else has made that prevents us from going forward.  When our hands are tied, and we have to wait, we could get upset or we could use the time more wisely.  We could take the extra time to think.

Thinking about what we’re doing is an excellent idea.  Some decisions pop into our heads with little thought or consideration.  Generally they are decisions without a significant consequence and mean little to our overall progression.  But for the decisions that impact our lives, our livelihoods, our families, or our futures, we need to think carefully before we act.  If we’ve made an important decision, and begin to implement it only to be stopped for reasons we can’t control, it’s a good time to re-evaluate what we’ve decided, and review our choices going forward.  Sometimes a second look brings clarification and a revised plan.  Sometimes the break changes our focus altogether.  The important thing is to use the time we’re stuck to ponder our way forward.  Instead of getting angry when we have to wait, we can look at it as a time out to reflect on our chosen path.

There are countless variables in every decision we make.  There is timing to be considered, the feelings of others, our personal comfort, and the destination we are seeking.  We sometimes make excellent decisions but they come at the wrong time in our lives and we have to rethink them.  Or we make what we believe is the best decision but once we begin going forward discover a lot of complications we hadn’t planned on.  Life is unpredictable, and no matter what we choose, there is a lot we can’t control.  We can’t control the choices of others, we can’t control unexpected developments, and usually, we can’t control trains.  Whether it’s a real train or a symbolic one, when they come into our lives, we have to wait.  We can make the wait count by using it to confirm our choices, and review our approach.  If we take the time and use it wisely, we may be surprised by what we find.

Today if you’re stuck and waiting because of something you can’t control, think about the path you’ve chosen and evaluate the decision again.  Is there a way to make it go more smoothly?  Is there something you can do that you didn’t see before?  Think about your next move and make it as productive as possible.  You’ve already determined what you want, and you are capable of making it happen.  Think clearly about your next step and when the time is right, take it.  You know where you’re going, and success is just around the corner.

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