Archive | December, 2016

Out of Control

19 Dec

Life can be unexpected and we may sometimes find ourselves in situations that are uncomfortable for us. There may be moments when because of situation or circumstance, someone may try to take control of our lives in ways that are difficult to deal with. If somebody else is more forceful than we are and decisions must be made, they may take command and if we don’t speak up we may end up facing things we don’t want to do. And sometimes we don’t have control over something simply because we are outsiders and decisions were made that affect our lives that we had no way to prevent. We all want to control what we do and where we go and often that’s the case, and if we find ourselves having to do something we didn’t choose it can be difficult to navigate. We are in charge of our lives and we may choose what we do. If we don’t want to participate in a decision, we don’t have to. It may be difficult to decline and refuse if someone close to us is adamant that we join in, but if we don’t want to be a part of the plan we can say no. We know what’s best for us and can make any decision we need to ensure that’s what we get.

Some people want to control a lot in life. In group settings, they like to decide what the group will do, where they will go, and what will happen. They often feel they know more than others and their opinions are the best that can be offered. However, we have control over our lives and may take them anywhere we want to go. But our lives are the only lives we have authority over. It is inappropriate and inconsiderate to believe we know what’s best for others. We may have good suggestions and may certainly offer them, but they are suggestions and not orders. We don’t have the right to tell others how to live their lives. If someone wants control over our decisions, we may politely thank them for their ideas and explain that we will decide what is best for us. We are the only ones who know everything about what we’re doing and where we want to go. We know how to choose the best path forward and although the advice of those we care about may be valued, our decisions belong to us.

In our intimate and close relationships, our loved ones may try to control the paths we’ll take. If we don’t comply they may resort to emotional blackmail and coercion to get their way. No matter what anyone else wants us to do or how much pressure they exert we can still choose what’s best for us. We have the great privilege and responsibility of managing our lives and taking them where we most want to go and we don’t have to do anything we don’t want to do. We drive our own personal trains and we know what tracks we want to travel. We can choose well and reach any destination we desire.

Today if someone has been trying to get you to follow their lead and you are uncomfortable, you may say no. You are capable of choosing the very best paths for your life and you know what you want and need. Be confident in choosing for yourself and forging your own way. You have everything you need to succeed and be happy. You know where you want to go and you will get there.

Tags: , ,

Super Moon

15 Dec

As we go through our lives and attend to all our responsibilities we are focused on the things that need to get done and where we want to be. Life can be busy and complicated, it can get messy and troublesome, and we may get lost seeing only what’s just ahead and miss other things going by. There are moments for all of us that are so captivating we are entirely consumed by them – our baby’s first step, the first kiss with a new love, a beautiful snowflake, a rainbow after a big storm, a reunion with a long, lost relative, and other poignant and captivating experiences. But many times, as we’re accomplishing our tasks we don’t notice some of the beautiful, enchanting or rewarding things passing us by. We keep our heads down and our eyes focused on the goal ahead and never hear the ice cream truck or see the red balloon floating up in the sky. It’s good to be focused and moving forward but there are many blessings all around us. If we look up, and see what else is going on our lives will be enriched and blessed. We only get one chance to live each day. Seeing everything we can, and noticing every nuance possible will bring us great joy and fulfillment.

Sometimes we have good intentions to do something, see something, or go somewhere but our schedules get in the way and we don’t make it. Super moons don’t happen all the time. They only occur when a full moon makes its closest approach to the earth. When that happens, the moon appears larger and brighter than normal and it’s amazing to behold. When one is predicted, we may read or hear about it and decide we want to see it, but then miss it because we were busy and forgot. We got carried away with all the things we were doing and didn’t take time to see it. Our chance to experience it has passed. Of course, it’ll come around again but if we continue doing things as we’ve been doing them, chances are we may miss it again.

It’s important to do all the many tasks we need to accomplish. Others rely on us and we must take care of ourselves. But as we’re storming through our days and checking off our lists, there are magical things all around us just waiting to be noticed. If we can slow down just a little and look up, be in the moment and cherish each breath, and pay more attention to the world around us we will be happier and our lives will be richer. We can stop and remember the very first time we tasted chocolate, or see how it feels to swing as high as possible, or how much fun it is to run into the ocean. If we do, our daily experiences will be enhanced. There are limitless things to do and see in life. We can reach out to them and broaden our horizons and our capacity for happiness will increase. We can get the most out of each day. We can see more, notice more, and remember how wonderful it is to be alive.

Today if you’ve been focused on your tasks and what needs to be done, look up and see what’s going on around you. Notice everything and broaden your scope. There’s something that will make you smile and bring you joy. Pay attention and let it fill your heart going forward. Your life is precious and wonderful. See everything and live it as fully as possible.

Tags: , ,

Tumbling

14 Dec

When problems surround us and we’re overwhelmed, it can feel like we’re tumbling in the surf being rolled over and over again by the pounding waves. The undercurrent captures us and pulls us deeper into the struggle and we tire trying to keep our heads above water. Every moment is an endurance test and there are times when it’s hard to find air to breathe. We fight against the power threatening to crush us and we reach for something, anything to grab onto that will give us sufficient stability to continue on. When our world is in turmoil we may feel we’re careening toward catastrophe and it’s hard to make sense of what’s in front of us. Our vision is clouded by the swirling thoughts of where we are and how we’ll find our way through. Although it’s hard to see an end to the struggle, if we hang on and trust our abilities to navigate whatever has taken hold of us, we will prevail. Even the strongest waves must ebb and in time we will find our way to solid ground again. Life is filled with challenge and trials. They rarely come when we’re ready for them but no matter how deep the water is, we can find our way to the surface and get to the shore.

The old adage of Murphy’s Law that if anything can go wrong it will, sometimes seems to be the rule of the day. There may be times where it seems no matter what we do we can’t win. It’s like we’ve somehow gotten out of sync with the universe. Our friends argue with us, our family is frustrated with us, our jobs are driving us nuts, our cars break down, our faucets leak and we can’t find our keys. One thing at a time is easy to face but sometimes everything seems to go wrong at once. The universe really hasn’t turned against us but we may feel inundated with trouble and exhausted trying to handle it all. When that happens, it may be hard to get through each moment trying to figure out what to do next. But we’ve been through enough trials already to know we’ll survive. We have everything we need to overcome whatever problems arise and if we are patient and take our time we’ll find all the answers we need.

Life is all about change and learning to adapt. It’s a constant process of learning to let go and move forward. When we have a lot of challenges and feel overwhelmed it can be hard to find respite and peace. Every problem that comes brings something we must learn and overcome in order to proceed. Every time we solve a complication we have more information and increased understanding that will help us going forward. Even when we feel we can’t manage, we do. Even we feel we’re overcome, we prevail. There really isn’t anything too difficult for us to manage. Nobody wants to go through heavy problems but we have all the courage we need to do so. Confidence will give us the boost we need to move forward and when we trust in our abilities to cope we will have all the confidence we need.

Today if you’re facing a big problem and feel swallowed up by the tide, grab onto the things you already know and begin forward. You have all the wisdom you need to overcome. You are capable and strong. Press forward and have faith. You will prevail. There isn’t anything you can’t do.

Tags: , ,

Falling Rocks

13 Dec

There are a lot of unexpected things that happen to us as we go through our days. Sometimes they are fun and delightful, and sometimes they are a headache that snags up our time and complicates everything. Many times, surprises come without notice and we may be caught off guard, but sometimes there is a warning that something is coming and we should be careful. We may listen to the warning or ignore it and see what happens. In mountainous terrains, there are often warning signs that say, “Falling Rocks” on the sides of the road. There may be steep cliffs and sometimes they have heavy screens over them in an effort to keep rocks from falling on passing cars. The warning sign is not a prediction that rocks will fall as we drive through but a warning that they may. It’s a prompt to make us aware and remind us to keep a watchful eye for what could happen. At the end of the journey if we have navigated through without incident we may forget all about the warning and continue on. But without it in place, as we travel through a possibly perilous area, we would be unaware of the danger. Awareness of any possible problem can give us a heads-up and help us to make wiser choices. If we know that something may go wrong, we may more effectively prepare and be ready.

In our lives, we sometimes get warnings of what might happen to us going forward. Maybe someone advises us to be careful when dealing with someone else, or we hear of a problem in a location where we’re going. There may be times when we feel a silent warning as we prepare to do something and perhaps a prompt that we should do it a little differently. We may feel inspired to take a different road or talk to someone before proceeding. Although we sometimes have no reason to follow a warning, taking a moment to think about it may be wise. There is generally a reason why we’ve received the information and if we consider it valuable instead of just blowing it off we may make better decisions. Being prepared for what may happen will enhance our confidence as we navigate the road ahead.

We can’t live a full and meaningful life if we are afraid. We must be bold going forward and willing to take some risks. Although we may feel some hesitation, if we’ve done everything we can to prepare for the road ahead, we can go forward with confidence that no matter what comes we’ll handle it. Fear is something we all experience from time to time. Some of us have more of it than others, and although it’s wise to pay attention when we feel it, we can courageously plan our steps forward and bravely take them. There really isn’t any situation we’ll face that we won’t be able to figure out. If things go wrong, we’ll redirect our course. If the rocks fall, we can dodge them.

Today if you feel some trepidation about your plans, do what is needed to ensure your path and move forward with confidence. Pay attention to any warnings you receive and choose the best road. You have everything you need to succeed. Nothing will stand in your way. Go forward with confidence and success will follow.

Tags: , ,

Growing Up

12 Dec

“We’re all told at some point in time that we can no longer play the children’s game…” Moneyball

When we’re children we act like children and as childhood flashes by we go through a lot of changes. Childhood is the time for us to begin our lives and start to learn and understand how things work, decide what kind of people we want to be, and what we want to do. For most of us moving into adulthood is a normal progression we grow into each day. But for some it’s more difficult and we may get stuck holding onto childish behaviors. We may not be able to control ourselves or make good choices, we may be subject to tantrums and hysterics, or get stuck acting out immaturely. It’s impossible to be successful adults if we’re behaving like children. For most of us the transition into adulthood is natural and we learn the lessons needed as time passes to become fully integrated and capable. However, if we refuse to grow up, and get stuck wishing for the innocence and carefree years of the past, we will face many difficulties. We cannot be children and adults at the same time. If we want to be truly happy we must embrace our lives as they are, let go of the children’s game and move forward.

Children cannot understand or compete in the adult world. They don’t have the experience or understanding to comprehend how things work or what needs to be done. They lack the self-control required to face disappointments easily and process undesired changes. They have everything they need to be children, and we never expect them to possess adult attributes. However, once we’ve grown up it’s our responsibility to learn what we need to interact effectively with the other adults in our lives. We must let go of the trappings of childhood and embrace growth. We can all become successful adults willing and able to work with others and understand our circumstances. If we need help adjusting it is our responsibility to get it. Only then can we be successful and move forward.

Fantasy is fun but if we are confused about what is real and what is fantasy we may get lost. It’s perplexing for others to be around adults who hang onto childish things and act in childish ways. Life isn’t always easy and it can be hard to face difficulties and try to unravel complex issues. We may not want to face what is before us but hiding behind childish behavior will not solve them for us. We have everything we need to become fully successful. We are brave and strong and capable of facing anything that comes to us. We can grow and mature and become our best selves.

Today if you’ve been struggling and wishing you were a child again, trust yourself to expand. Life is always moving forward. There is no way to return to the past. Be where you are and gain all the knowledge and experience you need to be successful. You can do anything and do it well. Today is a great blessing. Move ahead with confidence.

Tags: , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →