Archive | November, 2016

Tough Up

8 Nov

There are lot of things to learn in life. Some of them come easily and we enjoy the journey as we progress along. Others are more difficult and we struggle as we try to move forward. It’s true that often anything worth learning will get more difficult before it gets easier. There may be more details than we anticipated, and sometimes we may get stumped trying to figure out the way forward. But if we want to learn and are motivated to accomplish any task we can find our way. It may take longer than we thought when we started, it may be more complicated than we anticipated, and at some point, it might even feel like it’s impossible. But there really isn’t anything we can’t do if we want to badly enough. We can figure out what needs to be done, we can work any problems that arise until we solve them, and we can succeed. The question will be how much we really want the goal. When things go awry and we get lost we’ll have to decide if going forward is worth the cost. If it is, nothing can stop us but if we’re unsure we may give up. It’s impossible to learn anything by giving up. If we want to grow and develop new skills, we must press forward.

Everyone has a different level of tolerance when it comes to complications. Some people are tenacious and never let go until they reach their goals. Others persevere until things get very difficult or confusing and will then decide to opt out. And there are some who will choose a goal and the very first complication will change their minds. There are complications in everything. If we quit the first time they arise we will never learn anything new or accomplish much. We will stay as we are until we tough up enough to be willing to face difficulty and find our way through it. We have enough courage to face whatever comes to us and we can dedicate as much effort as we choose to any goal we want. We can learn anything, do anything, and gain all the experiences we want if we are determined to get them.

We all have more determination and courage than we think we do. When our lives get suddenly complicated or difficult they rise and we draw on them to navigate our way through. We may forget how much we are capable of if we only go through the motions in our lives. There is so much we can learn and do that is outside our regular scope. We can have lives filled with new experiences and if we are determined to achieve them we will be enriched and strengthened. Everything we overcome and conquer gives us more confidence making the next challenge easier. Our lives belong to us and we can design them any way we wish. They can be filled with new experiences, challenges and opportunities for growth. We can do anything. We are capable of being tough enough to face any situation that comes and we can succeed.

Today if you want to try something new or stretch your life in a new direction but are concerned about the challenge, be strong. There isn’t anything you can’t overcome. You have all the wisdom and courage you need to conquer anything. Press forward. Live your dreams. Everything is waiting for you.

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Prove It

7 Nov

Sometimes when we’re involved with others and they want to be sure of our commitment they may ask us to prove our allegiance. They may want us to do something to prove we’ll stay the course. If we’ve wavered in our commitments in the past an additional reassurance may be requested. Whether we like it or not, others watch us and notice what we do, and what we say. If we are honest in all our dealings and have proven over time that we will keep our word, such requests aren’t necessary. If we are true to our word, keep our commitments, and are always honest and fair, we’ll be trusted. However, if we manipulate the truth to suit our needs, change our minds as things develop, or fail to show it will be harder for others to believe us when we agree to anything. History has a way of following us around and if that history is unreliable, it may be hard to shake. We are what we do and it’s impossible to prevent others from seeing our true selves.

Living well takes effort. It’s so easy to lie and manipulate the truth when what’s real doesn’t suit us or negatively impacts us. We can pretend things are different than they are, that we’ve done things differently than we have, and that we didn’t mean to do something that caused discomfort. It takes very little energy to change a story when the truth is inconvenient. But everything we do becomes part of our personal legacy. Those around us see everything – even the things we don’t think they see. They notice when we lie about the check at the restaurant, or say we called when we didn’t, or pretend we didn’t hear them when we’re really ignoring them. Dishonesty always uncovers itself in the end. Even if we get away with it for a time, it will catch up to us and be exposed. And those around us will learn they can’t trust us, even if we give our word.

If we want to have the trust of those around us we must choose to be honest in everything we do. There is no sliding scale for honesty, it doesn’t depend on situations, and it’s not arbitrary. Honesty is simply living truthfully no matter what. If we make a mistake, we must own it. If we drop the ball on a commitment, we must do what is needed to repair the situation. We can be open and honest about our shortcomings whatever they are and then do what is needed to correct them. Nobody is perfect and we all falter from time to time. If we are honest about our lives and choose in every instance to be forthcoming and clear about the truth, those around us will trust us and open doors for us. Thomas Jefferson said, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” As we seek for wisdom, we must first seek to be honest. If we do, we will never have to prove ourselves to others. Our actions will be all the proof we need.

Today if you’ve been changing the truth to make things easier, choose to live in complete honesty. You can make excellent choices and correct anything you need to going forward. Be the best you can be and let others trust you and know who you really are. Be the light of truth and set the example to those around you. The trust you earn will be worth more than you can imagine.

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Somewhere Else

4 Nov

This life is a fluid experience. Everything is always changing and the only thing we can count on is that what we’re experiencing today will be different tomorrow. We are in a constant state of flux and no matter where we are now, we’re on our way to somewhere else. We are always learning and growing, and even if we don’t want to, we’re changing. It’s the nature of life. Time continues on and we move forward. Nothing can stop our continual movement until we reach the end of our days. Whether we’re headed where we want to go, learning what we need to learn, or in command of our direction is often up to us. We are in control of our lives and can direct them any way we like. There will always be complications, others may enter and confound our plans, and unexpected developments may derail us for a time. But if we are determined and focused we can get back to the road we want to travel and continue on. There isn’t anywhere we can’t go and nothing we can’t do.

Some people like everything to stay the same. They want their routines to be solid, their lives to be predictable and prefer not to change anything. They want to wear the same type of clothing, eat the same kinds of foods, visit the places they know, and limit their contact to people in their personal circle. While we may opt for a small life, limited in scope and opportunity, we can’t prevent change. Even if we’re determined to stay exactly where we are, the forces of life are moving us somewhere else. There is no way to freeze time. Each moment brings something new into our lives. Everything is fluid and every moment we’re moving forward. Where we’re headed depends on the choices we make.

We have many kinds of experiences every day. Some are good, some are even wonderful, some are common and predictable, and sometimes our lives may take a terrifying turn. We have no control over what comes to us and as each day unfolds we must find a way to cope and adjust to whatever changes it brings. Every development brings with it the opportunity for growth and learning. There is something to be gained from every experience. If we ignore the chance to learn we lose the opportunity to increase our understanding of life and deepen our awareness of where we are. We will change every single day in some way. How we process those changes is often up to us. We may get closer to the person we want to be or we may step a little further away from our goals. No matter what we choose, we are on our way to somewhere else. We can choose to direct our path to the destination we most want to reach. We can learn and grow as each day passes, and continue on the road we most want to travel. This life is a wonderful gift. The opportunity to choose and learn and grow are the greatest blessings of all.

Today if you feel you’re going in a direction that is taking you away from the where you want to be, turn your course. You know where you want to go and you know how to get there. You are in charge of your direction. Nothing will stop you from succeeding.

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Time Out

3 Nov

When we’re children and get a little out of control, maybe get too rambunctious or have trouble getting along in a situation, sometimes we may be placed in time out. We may go somewhere away from others that is quiet where we can sit and think for a while until we feel more in control again. Time out can be a useful tool when things start to get too emotional or hectic and it’s helpful not only when we’re children but also when we’re adults. Many of us have very busy lives with lots to do. We have a lot of responsibility and taking time out may not occur to us even when we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes all we focus on is pushing forward and getting to the next task. We learn to deal with stress and juggle complications as they arrive. Although we may accomplish much the quality of our lives may not be as good as we would like. But we can be successful in getting our tasks completed and still take time for ourselves. We can set a few minutes aside, step away from our pressing concerns, and reset.

In this day and age of technology where we can constantly stream news from around the world it’s easy to get caught up in situations we can’t control. Information overload is an ongoing issue when so much information is so readily available. Although it’s possible to continually be exposed to what’s going on everywhere, there is often little we can do to change or assist in many situations. Everything we see, read, or hear stays with us as we move forward. If it causes sorrow, stress, or anger or impacts us negatively we must determine its value. If there is nothing we can do about what is happening, the information, while perhaps interesting and informative, serves little purpose. We may decide how much influence we want things that negatively impact us into our lives. We can take a time out from all the information available and instead choose to focus on what we can do here and now to make our lives better and impact the world for good.

Just because we can do something doesn’t necessarily mean we should do it. We have countless opportunities available to us every single day. There are things we want to do, things we must do, things we put off doing and limitless versions of each. Our lives are ours to direct and we may make any decisions we like. If we agree to do everything we are asked and strive to do everything we want, we may get overloaded. But we can take a time out. If we’re overextended, we can adjust our plans. If we’re exhausted, we can take a break. If we’re overwhelmed, we can re-evaluate and change going forward. We can step away from all the activity for a while, review objectively what’s happening, and make a workable and comfortable plan for the future. We deserve to be happy and in control of our lives. Taking a time out regularly to refocus will help us achieve that.

Today if you’re busy and pressed and feel things have gotten out of control, take a time out. Step away from the situation for a moment. You know how to make things work more easily for you. You have everything you need to succeed. Think about what you most want to accomplish and arrange things so you are comfortable and in control. You’ll be happier as you go forward and you’ll succeed

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