Archive | December, 2015

Clean Living

11 Dec

When we’ve been working outside, gardening or cleaning up, we usually get dirty, and sometimes get completely covered with sweat and grime. As we work hard it accumulates layer by layer until we feel completely filthy. When we’re finished, it feels great to step into a hot shower and wash it all away. Scrubbing off all the effort, and getting back down to our skin feels wonderful, and when we step back out we feel refreshed and rejuvenated. The days of our lives can be like that too. As we go through our various tasks, the jobs we need to get done, the errands we need to accomplish and all the things that keep us busy, we accumulate a layer of this and a layer of that. It’s not always dirt. Sometimes it’s attitude, sometimes it’s regret, and sometimes it’s happiness and contentment. But whatever we’re doing and wherever we’re going sticks to us in some way. At the end of the day, all our experiences, for good or bad, are part of us. The goal then should be to live our lives in ways that the good ones outnumber the bad. There is no psychological shower we can take to wash off bad experiences. There isn’t any magic soap that will take away regret or disappointment, and we carry it all with us from that point forward. But we can learn to live a clean life and gain as many positive experiences as possible.

Living a clean life means making good choices. We can choose to be moral, faithful, and law abiding. We can decide to be kind, helpful, charitable, and forgiving. Every time we choose something noble, we also choose to be happier going forward. If we choose to be faithful, we feel the support of knowing we’re doing what’s right. If we’re law abiding, we don’t have to worry about getting into trouble. If our demeanor and behavior is one of kindness, charity and forgiveness, we will feel peace. For every good choice, there is usually a good result. Conversely, for every bad choice there is often an equally bad result. If we choose badly we might not reap the result immediately, but it will inevitably come. We can determine what we accumulate each day by the choices we make.

Living a clean life means being true to ourselves and what we want most to become. It means choosing the paths that will take us where we want to go. It takes effort to think before we choose. If we jump before we think and make snap decisions, some of them will work out, and some won’t. But thinking for just a moment before we act will help us make the best decisions and when we do we’ll be happier. We can all live a clean life, we just have to decide. We have it in our power. What do we want to be wearing at the end of the day? We can be covered with disappointment, regret, and anger, or we can wear contentment, happiness, and peace.

Today if you’ve been unhappy with the decisions you’ve been making, and feel heavy carrying them around, you can change things. Think about how you want your life to be and how you want to feel. Then make decisions that will bring every blessing to you. You have more power than you think you do. Use it to design your life and at the end of the day, you’ll feel light and happy knowing you’re exactly where you want to be.

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Glory

10 Dec

Sometimes when we think about ourselves we may underrate our true value because of something we don’t feel we measure up to.  Perhaps we don’t look like super models or that guy on the fitness commercials, maybe we aren’t influential speakers, or perhaps we don’t think we’re smart enough.  Sometimes we demean ourselves because we haven’t yet achieved the level of success we aspire to, or don’t make the money we think we should.  There are limitless things we can measure ourselves against, and often when we do, we feel we aren’t good enough.  But that’s a dangerous and detrimental game to play.  The truth is, we are all exactly who we need to be at this point in time.  We can’t be anything other right now than what we are.  We can make changes if we want to, and if they’re important to us.  However, right now we are enough just as we are.

Personal glory is an attribute we all share.  Glory is defined as magnificence, renown or honor.  We all have things we do well, traits that are exemplary, and distinctive and unique features to our personalities that are beneficial and valuable.  All of those are magnificent and honorable.  And every day we have the chance to share them with the world.  Even the most meek and timid among us has a lot to offer.  We don’t have to be millionaires or kings to have an impact.  We need only be who we are, and share ourselves with those around us.  When we do our very best, or when we choose what is right and noble and true, we express our personal glory.  If we let it shine every day, those around us will be magnified and embellished, and will treasure their interactions with us.

We can express our glory in many ways.  When we extend our friendship and our hands to help, when we forgive, and when we offer a little more and have compassion, we glorify those around us.  When we make noble choices, when we honor others, and when we praise them for their good works, we share glory with them.  It’s something we all have, but we don’t always acknowledge it.  If we really shared how much we have to offer every single day, we would change the world.  We can be excellent examples, we can choose to make wise choices, and we can enrich our experiences by recognizing and expressing our personal glory every day.  It’s a valuable blessing, and sharing it is our privilege and choice.

Today, remember your personal glory.  Open up and share your gifts with those around you.  Show them your valiance, your commitment, and your care.  We need each other and we need you.  You are exactly how you should be today.  You don’t need to be anything more right now.  Be confident.  You have so much to share, and the world is better because you’re here.

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Wolves

9 Dec

As we go through our lives, we meet lots of people.  Some become friends, some just acquaintances, and some we meet once and never see again.  We see people in passing, and interact with them in lots of different situations.  Most of us think we are good judges of character but sometimes it’s not easy to know what people really are.  There is the old saying of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” meaning sometimes someone looks one way, when in actuality they are completely different.  We meet people like that from time to time.  There is always a reason they are hiding behind what we see, and often those reasons are destructive.  It’s hard to see behind a disguise.  Sheep seem so friendly and docile that even if a little dark fur is sticking out under the white curls we might not notice it until the damage has been done.

It’s good to be trusting of others.  It opens doors for us and helps us feel comfortable in our interactions.  But when we have a trusting nature, we can also be manipulated by those whose intentions are not noble.  We might befriend someone we think we can trust, only to discover they aren’t trustworthy at all.  If that happens, we may blame ourselves for falling for a lie, but it’s not our fault when someone else makes bad decisions.  We aren’t fools because we trusted them.  Until we know that someone is wearing a disguise it’s appropriate to give them the benefit of the doubt.  When that is abused, and we discover we’ve been duped, we may be hurt, but we’ll learn more and can make wiser decisions going forward.

If we get tangled up with a wolf and get hurt, we may decide not to trust anyone anymore.  But that never works.  Most people are honest and deserve our trust and respect.  If we judge everyone based on the few who choose badly, we only end up hurting ourselves.  We can’t live in a vacuum, and we need others in our lives.  No matter what’s happened, we’ll find a way to recover, and use the information we’ve learned going forward.  We can be brave enough to allow others to get close to us despite the experience.  We are in control and we can make excellent decisions and judgments.  There are a lot of genuine sheep in our lives.  There are people who care about us and want what’s best for us.  We can’t disregard our good relationships with them because there are a few wolves waiting in the wings.

Today if you’ve discovered you’ve been manipulated or in some way treated dishonestly, and you’re hurt, learn from what you’ve experienced.  You know more now than you did, and you can go forward with confidence.  You can still trust those around you, and allow them to get close to you.  There are a lot of good sheep in your world.  Don’t let one wolf turn you against those who love and care for you.

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Suddenly

8 Dec

When we’re trying hard to accomplish something very difficult, or trying to change something in our lives that’s hard, it can seem like the road is never ending.  We push, and we inch forward, and then we have a setback, and it seems despite all we’ve done, we’re back at the beginning again.  Change takes time and when we’re trying hard to accomplish it, we can get frustrated and feel stuck.  But if we keep going forward, even when it feels like we’re going nowhere, eventually something happens that breaks us through.  Something finally goes right, and we feel recharged and hopeful again.  It’s like suddenly everything changes and we realize we can do this.  When we get a break, even a small one, we realize we can keep going and when it happens, in that moment everything is different.  If we were discouraged, we feel buoyed up.  If we felt defeated, we feel we can prevail.  It’s amazing when it happens.  Suddenly everything has changed and we’re renewed.

Although we know we can accomplish anything we choose to do, if it’s something big, something far reaching or we’re trying hard to change, it can be daunting and overwhelming at times.  We know what we want to do, and we know how to get there, but the road is long, and filled with detours and complications.  We can get discouraged and sometimes we might even consider giving up.  We might think we should just let it go and move on to something easier.  But accomplishing something difficult isn’t impossible – it’s just difficult.  We are capable of facing difficulties, and we’ve proven that over time.  We can face them, we can process them, we can manage them, and we can overcome them.  If we keep that in mind, if we remember the successes we’ve already had, we can press forward and day by day we will get closer to where we want to go.

That light at the end of the tunnel will come.  That break we’ve needed will finally arrive.  And when it does, everything will change.  Even the smallest gain, or the tiniest encouragement, can change everything.   Perhaps one person notices our efforts and compliments us, or maybe there is one small adjustment that allows us to move up.  Whatever it is, when the positive moment comes, suddenly we can see the road ahead and we know we can traverse it.  We are resilient and capable.  There isn’t anything we can’t do.  We have all the courage and stamina we need to make any change we want to.  And when the blessing finally comes to us, when we achieve the objective and grab the gold ring, it will be worth everything we did to get there.

Today if you’ve been pushing and trying so hard to make a change and it seems like you’ve been constantly going uphill against the wind, hang on.  The break you need is just around the next bend.  It’s right at the doors.  Take another step forward, and hold on for another day.  All the blessings you are seeking are there for you, and will be worth everything you’re facing now.  There is sunshine and light just ahead.  You can do everything you need to get to it.  You are amazing and you have everything you need to succeed.  Just keep going.

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Pulling the Knife Out

5 Dec

We will all probably experience the exquisite pain of betrayal at least once in our lives. Someone we care about, or someone we thought cared about us does something that betrays our trust, our friendship, or our love. It’s a horrible feeling when it happens, and we are often caught unaware and breathless when we discover the truth. We feel like we’ve been stabbed in the back. There is no way to see it coming as someone sneaks up from behind, and plunges the dagger. Few things are as painful as betrayal. Secretly plotting against anyone or covertly doing things that will destroy others is disgraceful and despicable, and cannot be justified. Of course, those responsible have reasons they believe are sufficient for causing such pain, but there is no truth in that. Betrayal is cruel, mean, and destructive, and the pain it causes can be crippling.

If this happens, we may feel devastated and shocked. It can knock the wind out of us and leave us wondering who we can trust, and what to do going forward. It’s hard to move anywhere with a knife in our backs, so first we must remove it. Since we’re talking about an emotional wound, we don’t have to wait to yank it out. We can do it immediately by facing those who have betrayed us, and clearly and succinctly telling them we will not tolerate it. When we take that first step and stand up for what is right, we feel more power and control than if we suffer quietly. What they’ve done only diminishes them and we can maintain our high personal standards despite their actions. Speaking up at once, and pro-actively addressing the situation often leaves those involved speechless and stunned by our self-control. And that’s a win.

We can’t control what anyone does but ourselves. People can make bad choices, they can do horrible things, they can hurt others, and sometimes we’ll be the target. Even when we’re devastated, even if we feel destroyed, even if the pain is severe, we can still choose well. We can rise above the destruction, take a deep breath, and remember who we are and who we want to be. We can be noble, even if those around us are shameful. When we choose the path best for us, and behave in ways that communicate how incredible we really are, we always win. Those who take the low road, who hurt and use and betray, will never have the respect or honor that comes to those who choose well. It hurts to be betrayed. It hurts a lot. But by choosing what is right, we will heal, and in time, we’ll be happy again.

Today if you’ve been stung by the bitter pain of betrayal, remember who you are. This does not diminish you. You can manage this with grace and determination by making excellent choices. You are strong and you can handle anything that comes to you. There are so many great experiences just ahead. Keep your eyes focused on those. Learn what you can from this and then let it go. Remember you are a gift to the world. We’re all better because you’re here.

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