Archive | October, 2017

Who We Are

5 Oct

When people ask who we are we may give them descriptions of our lives. We are siblings, children, parents, grandparents, friends, co-workers, professionals, laborers and dozens of others. All of these representations help people understand us and our place in life but they don’t really define who we are. They are merely what circumstances we were born into or where we are in our lives. Who we are goes far deeper than any outward descriptor. It’s what defines us morally, ethically, spiritually, and individually, and is reflected by the actions we take. Our true selves are defined by the choices we make and the values we express. It has little to do with what others expect and more to do with what we expect from ourselves. We set our own personal standards and how we define what is noble and good is reflected in the people we become. We can bring goodness and light to the world or we can bring trouble and conflict. We can be anything we choose and everything we do will show the world what those decisions are. There are endless opportunities in life to make an impact. What that impact looks like is our decision. We can bring joy or sorrow. It’s all up to us.

Most people try to do well and be kind to those around them. We see incredible acts of goodness when trouble strikes as people step up to assist and carry those around them. We hear of heroic acts that save lives and incredible sacrifice that brings comfort. When others give selflessly to those around them it embellishes us and gives us hope for the future. Those willing to give bring great blessings to us all. Our connections to the human race are strong and more valuable than we may realize until things go wrong. We can choose to be noble and kind. We can be a light when there is nothing but darkness and the hand that reaches up when things go wrong.

Personal nobility is a choice we make. It’s easy to coast through life doing the minimum needed to get by. We can keep our eyes only on ourselves and our personal needs and refuse to get involved in anything outside our private world. If we do, we may feel safer in our routines and secure knowing what to expect. But if we take the chance to reach out and help others, and risk our personal comfort to extend ourselves in service, our lives will be enriched and we will become more connected to those around us. We can be anything we choose. Choosing to be noble and kind, selfless and loving, and helpful and charitable, will bring us incredible blessings and enrich our lives beyond our imagining. We have so much to offer. We can be the very best versions of ourselves and bless the world.

Today if you’ve been keeping to yourself, think about sharing your life with others. Look up. There are opportunities to help and serve all around you. Reach out and expand your focus. There is greatness and nobility inside you. Build on it and let it grow. You have so much to offer. Be the best you can be and you’ll change the world.

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Speeding Along

4 Oct

When we have a lot of things to do and we’re busy rushing from one point to the next, our days can pass by in a blur.  We may have dozens of tasks waiting for our attention and in an effort to get to them all we may rush forward trying to get as much done as possible.  Going faster will often help us get more things done but it’s possible to rush so quickly through our days that we forget our focus and what it is we’re actually trying to accomplish.  If there is pressure from others to hurry along we may find ourselves running from one place to another unaware of exactly what we’re doing.  We may end up engaging our auto pilot and just keep rushing forward.  Our days go by quickly even if we pay attention and if we’re distracted we may find days, even weeks have passed and we don’t remember how we spent the time.  Time is a commodity we can never replace.  It passes whether we pay attention or not, and once it’s gone can never be recaptured.  Getting so caught up in running forward may prevent us from having our fullest experiences while we’re here.  We can be successful in completing many tasks and still take the time we need to be aware and engaged, and enjoy each moment as it passes.  We are in control of every decision.  We can manage our time effectively and slow down enough to live our lives each moment.  This life is a precious gift.  Honoring it and being in control of our time will bring us great contentment and success.

We live in a “hurry up” world.  Never before have we been expected to accomplish more than we are today.  We are constantly bombarded with suggestions that we can go further faster, we can accomplish more with less, and we can do many things effectively at once.  While it’s often true that we may move faster, it doesn’t always follow that doing so will bring us success.  It doesn’t matter what others expect or what timeframe they follow.  We are in control of our decisions and we can plan our lives in ways that bring us both success and happiness.

As we travel along there are many clues and cues available to us with each step we take.  Sometimes the very answer we’re seeking is right in front of us but if we rush by too quickly we may miss it.  It’s impossible to think clearly about our objectives if our first priority is the speed with which we reach them.  Our days will pass no matter how we spend them.  We can do things in ways that work best for us, take the time we need to see everything clearly, and accomplish any task before us.  There isn’t anything we can’t do and do well.  We can achieve any success we desire and we can do it in our own timeframe.

Today if you’ve been pushed to rush faster and get to the goal more quickly, think about what you’re trying to accomplish and find the road that works best for you.  You know yourself better than anyone else and you know what you need to succeed.  Listen for inspiration and make the best choice going forward.  You are amazing and capable and nothing is out of reach.  Plan your time and move ahead with confidence.  Every destination is available to you.  Find success your way and happiness will follow.

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Let Me

3 Oct

Life is unpredictable and our situations can change in an instant. One minute we may be traveling along confidently and then suddenly something may happen and everything is completely overturned. We cannot predict what will come and we never really know what lies ahead. If we’re forced into a new reality without warning that has upset our stability and foundation, we may be unsure or concerned about how to proceed. If our lives have been upended and we can’t find our footing, the simple offer of help from someone else can feel like a lifeline going forward. When someone steps in and says, “Let me,” we may feel enormous relief. The offer from someone else to help, to lift, and to assist can be priceless when we are overcome. Nobody can do everything all the time and we all face moments when we need help. The gift of service from those around us can make even the darkest moments lighter. We’re all in this together. In times of crisis, in moments of doubt, and situations of uncertainty, the gift of someone willing to walk with us, to hold us up, and help us face whatever is before us, is the most treasured gift we could receive. Letting others in when we are overcome, and allowing them to help us move forward will enable us to withstand any storm or trial. There isn’t anything we can’t do but we all need help from time to time. That help will allow us to move forward with confidence and enable us to aide others once our trial has passed. Life is all about learning and each experience teaches us valuable lessons. We can move through every challenge with others standing beside us and find success together.

We are all connected far more deeply than we may realize. The depth of our connection is often visible when disaster strikes and people are suffering. There are countless stories of selfless heroism in the face of danger. When we see others in challenging situations who need help, we can stand firm and say, “Let me.” Offering our strength when others are weak will enlarge us and make us equal to the task. We have so much to offer and sharing it with those around us sustains them through the trial and enriches us.

When we serve others, our lives are enhanced and refined. The act of giving often returns more to us than anticipated. The blessings of service are limitless and our compassion for those around us will increase when we serve. Trouble comes to us all. Offering our help and receiving help from others builds our connections and makes our world stronger.

Today if someone near you is struggling, offer your help and assistance. Do what you can to encourage and support. Strengthen your connections to others through service. If you’re facing a trial and feel overwhelmed, allow others to lift you and help you through. You are never alone and all the help you need is there for you. Be strong, be brave, and go forward with confidence. There isn’t thing we can’t do together.

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