Archive | February, 2017

Impact

21 Feb

The world is a huge place and there are billions of people living in it and going about their lives making choices for good or bad. As we hear about the many places far away, we may feel very small and wonder if we have any influence at all on the world around us. It can be hard to feel we matter when we consider the big picture. While it’s true the world is huge and countless things are happening all the time, it’s also true that our lives, no matter how small we believe they are, matter. We have an impact on those around us and as we make decisions we influence the world. We may not cause a tidal wave of change, but even small stones tossed into a pond create ripples that change the surface. Every person we interact with is changed in some way because we are here and every situation we engage in is modified because of our choices. There is no way to be invisible as we go through our lives. Every single person is important. We all have gifts to offer and each gift changes the world in some way. Believing we are insignificant is an illusion. We all count and matter in ways we may not comprehend. There is a reason we are here. Remembering our importance and how valuable we are will increase our confidence and help us understand our place in life. Our presence is important and everything we do changes something in some way.

If we live in a big city with millions of people it may be more difficult to see how special we are. When there are many voices it may be hard to believe ours can be heard. But every voice is important and even whispers will be heard by those listening. Someone will always hear us no matter where we are. It’s impossible to be here and not have an impact on those around us. Everything we do changes something else. Everything we say opens new ideas. We are integral to the evolution of the world around us. Understanding that influence and using it wisely will bring us great satisfaction and happiness.

Sometimes we may feel we don’t count, that nobody sees us, and that no matter what we do we’ll never change anything. We may think our contribution is so small it will go unnoticed and that our presence means little. But it isn’t possible to live a life with complete autonomy separate from those around us. We weave in and out of other lives and everything we do changes something. We can make our impact positive and loving, and we can choose the highest path going forward. If we do our best, we can change the world for good. Every choice we make will have an effect. We can decide to make the best choices to bring about positive change and leave the world better than it was before we came.

Today if you feel your life is small and insignificant, remember everything you do will affect those around you. You have the power to change the world. You can be the stone in the pond that causes ripples of goodness to flow forward. Choose well, be your best, and never underestimate the power you have to impact the world around you. You have so much to offer and we’re all better because you’re here.

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Dropped Calls

20 Feb

In this day of cell phone technology, many of us carry phones constantly and are always on call. Sometimes that’s helpful and other times it complicates our lives. Technology isn’t perfect and there are times when we get calls and while we’re talking the connection is lost. When the call is dropped, we can try to call back which often works, but if we can’t reach the other person we may be left with half a conversation and half the facts we need. If the issue at hand is important and there are time restrictions, we may be forced to move forward without all the information. Sometimes in our lives we’re faced with similar situations. We might be in a position where we have only part of the story or must move forward with half the facts. We can try to fill in the blanks or navigate around the missing pieces and if there is no way to get the information we need we may face complications. Sometimes we know what’s missing and other times we don’t know what we don’t know. It’s difficult to navigate any situation without all the facts and if that’s the case, finding our way may be difficult. There are always options available to us no matter where we are and we can take the time to review them and choose the best way forward.

Some people hold their cards close to their chests and don’t like to reveal any more information than they absolutely must. It may be because they are unsure of what they know, or they may feel their information is proprietary to them only, or they may hold some things back as a way of insuring their position. If we must rely on them for the information we need to move forward and they hold back, we may be stalled or even stopped in our tracks. We can’t make anyone tell us anything they don’t want to share. If we need something and can’t get it from others we will have to find another way. We could do our own personal research to find the answers we need or consider previous similar situations we’ve been in and succeeded. There are all kinds of possibilities in every scenario and we can find the answers.

Moving forward depends on a lot of factors. We have to decide where we want to go and how fast we want to get there. We must depend on the facts we can get that will help us navigate the road we’ve chosen, and find all the information we can to ensure we know where we’re headed and what it will take to get there. If we get a dropped call while getting directions and don’t know which way to turn we can rely on our intuition and all the experiences we’ve had before to help us discern the right way forward. Dropped calls happen and when they do we can still find our way. It’s great to have someone else lead us forward but if that isn’t possible we can find the way ourselves. We know what we want to do and have everything we need to be successful.

Today if you’ve been stuck because of a dropped call and aren’t sure which way to turn, remember all the times you’ve been successful finding your way in the past. Rely on the information you have and choose the best answers going forward. You are capable and wise and you will find your way. The road may be long but you have everything you need to succeed.

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Call the Dance

16 Feb

There is an old saying that says if we call the dance, we must pay the piper. It means we are responsible for the results of all our decisions, even when they don’t turn out the way we hope they will. There will be consequences to every choice we make and no matter what they are, they belong to us. If we’ve been dishonest, childish, foolish, or unwise, whatever results from our actions is our responsibility. Of course, if we make good decisions and act well we will also gain the reactions to those choices. There is no way to skip out on our accountability and nobody gets to dance for free. We may try to ignore our part in our decisions, we may dodge the ramifications or try to hide, and we may even deny we’ve done something. But as in cards, once we’ve played our hand it cannot be changed. We can’t always predict the results of our choices and sometimes things will go awry even if we’ve tried our best. But if we are noble and honest we will manage what comes. We can call any kind of dance we want. We can choose wisely or foolishly, we can help or hurt, but whatever we choose the piper will require payment.

Selfishness never leads to happiness. If we selfishly make choices that only consider our wants or needs with no regard to how they will affect the lives of those around us we may get what we’re seeking but the price may be high. If we pretend to be something we aren’t or lie or cheat, we may fool those around us for a time. But truth is powerful and in the end, it will rise and if we’ve been dishonest our deception will become clear. Those who have trusted us and believed in us will see the truth of what we’ve done and who we really are. If we’ve hurt them badly they may turn away from us and we may lose our connections to them. It’s always wise to make the best decisions we possibly can and when we do, even if we falter, those involved will understand our objectives were noble even if our results didn’t work out.

There are times we might believe we can escape accountability by keeping our actions secret. Secrets only work when nobody figures them out. The problem is there is no secret so perfect or locked up that it won’t be revealed. Time has a way of opening the doors to truth. We might be able to hide for a while but nobody can hide forever. It’s better to make our choices out in the open. We can be honest about our motivations and choose boldly. If we decide to make a bad decision, we may make it and face the consequences. If we decide to embrace wisdom, our road will often be easier. If we choose well, when the piper comes for payment we’ll be ready. There isn’t anything we can’t do well. We deserve to be happy. Living honestly and making good choices will bring us happiness and peace.

Today if you’ve made a bad decision and must now face the consequences, face them bravely and openly. You can resolve any problem you must face and correct your course. Choose wisely going forward and live honestly. You’ll be happier knowing you’re on the right road and you’ll become the person you want most to be.

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When it Hurts

14 Feb

We make millions of decisions as we go through our lives. Some of them are easy and we process them quickly and move on. We want to make good choices and choose the best possible options available so we can be happy with the results that follow. That’s sometimes quick and easy but there are other times when our decisions are more difficult. It’s hard to make the best decision when that choice will take away something we want or move us in a direction we don’t want to go. We may be in a situation where the best path forward in the long run hurts us right now. The best things in our lives are worth working for and sometimes in order to get to a goal we must endure uncomfortable situations along the way. It takes courage to choose well and even more courage when those choices hurt. Sometimes in order to accomplish our dreams we must sacrifice something along the way. We can weigh out each choice, see the road ahead and choose the best option going forward. If it’s a hard decision and creates discomfort we can walk through it, learn all we can and use that knowledge to navigate the way ahead. We know what we want most and we can do what it takes to get it.

Life isn’t always a bed of roses. Sometimes it may seem that everything works against us and no matter what we do we can’t make any headway. In those complicated times when things get difficult and we’re inundated with issues and problems, we may consider giving up on the goal altogether. It’s hard to keep trying when everywhere we turn there’s another wall in our way. But nothing is impossible and if we’re facing obstacles it only means we need to find another road forward. There are countless ways to any goal we set. If one road doesn’t get us there, we can choose another. If that one ends in a detour we can turn again. We can modify our course as many times as it takes to get to the destination and as long as we don’t quit, we don’t fail.

There is no way to know all the complications we may face when we begin a journey. We can make excellent plans for how we’ll proceed, do all the research we can to make sure our plans will work, and still things may go wrong. If we really want to reach the goal we can prepare for any eventuality no matter how complex, and determine that we will persevere and continue forward. If we are determined we will more effectively navigate any disappointments or problems we encounter and even if we must back up for a time, will be able to continue moving ahead. There really isn’t anything we can’t do if we are determined. We can keep stepping forward in the face of trouble and if we refuse to quit we will win. Temporary setbacks are only opportunities to re-focus. We can do anything. There isn’t anything we can’t face and overcome.

Today if you must make a decision to move forward that is uncomfortable and difficult, keep your eyes on the goal ahead. There is nothing too complex for you to overcome and you will find the answers you need. Success is there waiting for you. Choose well and you will reach it.

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Star of the Show

13 Feb

When we’re watching movies, there are often a lot of people on the screen and many things going on. There is a lot of sensory stimulation with the music, the script, and scene movement. If it’s an action movie it can be hard to catch everything that’s happening. But no matter what’s going on or how many different characters there are, our attention is focused on the star of the show. There is always one main character who carries the story. Our lives aren’t movies but there are lots of things going on all the time and many people coming and going every minute, and we are the star of the show. We are the most important person even when we’re focused on others and what we’re going through is captivating. We can be selfless and help those around us and address all the scenarios and situations that come, but in the end if we aren’t taking care of ourselves we won’t be as effective as we could be. The first person who needs our attention is us. If we don’t meet our personal needs, we won’t be able to care for anyone else. Most of us will not get “star treatment” from others as we go through our lives, but we can give it to ourselves and make sure we have everything we need to be healthy and strong. We are the stars of our own lives, and we deserve to take the best care of ourselves we possibly can. If we do, we will have all the strength and wisdom we need to help others and be an asset to the world around us.

When we fly on planes and go through the safety drill before the flight, the flight attendants always explain that if oxygen is needed, we must put our masks on first and then help those around us. We must make sure we are able to help by taking care of our needs first. That’s true in our personal lives as well. No matter what we’re going through or what trials we’re facing, we need to figuratively make sure our masks are securely fastened and we’re getting the oxygen we need before we attempt to assist those around us. We must be first on our list to ensure we have everything we need before we extend ourselves.

It is noble and valiant to serve others. It’s good to sacrifice our time to help when we’re asked and be available to those who need us. Living a life focused solely on our own personal needs and wants and discounting those around us will not bring us long term satisfaction or happiness. There is much gratification to be gained by extending ourselves and being helpful. But helping others requires personal strength and courage. We must build up our own personal energy before we can share it. We can be kind and helpful and still take the time we need to care for ourselves. We are the most important person in our lives and when we remember to give ourselves everything we need first, we will have enough to serve others.

Today if you’ve been neglecting what you need to be strong and happy, take some time for yourself. You deserve the very best of everything and you can get it. Remember how important you are. We all need you in our lives and want what’s best for you. Give that to yourself today and you’ll find happiness and peace and have the strength you need.

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