Archive | December, 2017

Stepping Away

15 Dec

There are many people and influences in our lives.  They come and go every day and as we interact they influence us in some way.  Sometimes that influence is subtle and barely noticeable, and other times we are intensely impacted by what we hear and see.  If the influence is strong we may find ourselves being drawn to a different point of view and perspective, and stepping away from what is important to us.  There is nothing wrong with learning about others and trying out different ideas but if those experiences pull us away from our core values and the things that matter most to us, we may find ourselves in situations that take us far from where we really want to be.  We may begin to change in ways that align us more directly with someone else’s view and take us away from our own.  The world has its own ideas about what is right and wrong, what is good and bad, and how we should behave.  We are the only ones who can decide what is best for us.  Being careful of influence and remembering what is most important will help us stay true to the path that will bring us complete happiness.  We don’t need to assimilate to find our way forward.  We can do what is best for us to achieve the lives we want the most.  Real happiness comes when we are true to ourselves and who we really are.  There is nothing more satisfying than living an authentic life.  We know what we want and nothing is powerful enough to keep us from it.

Cultures change over time.  What was forbidden and discouraged in times past may now be acceptable and routine.  Although times change and the concept of what is acceptable modifies as we move forward, we are in control of the decisions we make.  If we go along with every passing idea, as the winds of change blow over us we will have nothing to hold onto.  Holding fast to our beliefs, even if they are very different from those around us, will bring us clear direction going forward and confidence as we travel.

We can change our minds about anything at any time.  All the roads ahead are open to us and we may choose any way forward we like.  If we are making our own decisions, no matter what happens, we will be in control.  If we allow the influence of others to unduly control our choices, we may end up on roads to destinations we never wanted to achieve.  Nobody can read the future and the end of the road is not visible at the beginning.  We have everything we need to make excellent choices and if we set the influence of others aside, and determine what is best for our unique plan going forward, those choices will take us where we want to go.

Today if you’ve allowed the influence of the world around you to color your decisions and find you are in the wrong place, redirect your way forward and correct your course.  There is no destination out of reach.  Look ahead and wisely determine your next step.  You will find great success and happiness as you move forward and every door will open for you.

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Doors

14 Dec

There are endless opportunities in life and we are restricted only by our own decisions. We can think of our lives as an endless hallway of doors. Every door we walk through opens a new road ahead that takes us somewhere we’ve never been and teaches us something to take forward. How many doors we open is up to us. If we want a life filled with new experiences we may fearlessly open as many as possible. Conversely, if we want a predictable life that is comfortable in its sameness, we may stick with only a few. We can design our lives any way we choose and the choices we make will color our experiences. When there is something new we want to try, we may be nervous about starting out. We may fear we won’t be up to the task and will fail. We can’t tell the future but one thing is certain, if we don’t take the chance, we will never experience the outcome. There really is nothing to be lost by extending our boundaries and opening the doors before us. We are strong enough to endure any complication and resilient enough to take any criticism. All the roads are open to us and we may travel as many as we desire. There is no rush and we may take all the time we need to decide. Life is filled with opportunity. How many we choose is completely up to us, but the depth of understanding we gain by stretching beyond where we are is extremely valuable. We learn more about ourselves as we try new things. We understand our place in life as we extend our reach. Living fearlessly and boldly will bring us great blessings. There really isn’t anything we can’t do. We can open all the doors we desire and see where they will take us.

Tradition may be a powerful restrictor. When our personal traditions are very strong it may be more difficult to reach beyond them. If those close to us value the patterns held in place over time, there may be strong pushback if we decide we want something different. Traditions are wonderful and help us treasure important facets of our relationships but they may keep the doors around us closed. There is no door we cannot open and no road we cannot travel. We can hold fast to the ways and customs we value, and still create the lives we want the most.

It takes courage to reach beyond where we are and try something new. We don’t really know what’s behind a new door or where it will lead. Although there is no way at the beginning to see everything at the end of any road, we have everything necessary to move forward toward any destination we desire. All the courage we need is already inside us and we are smart enough, and strong enough to take on any challenge. The whole world is available to us. We can do anything. We can start something new, and success will follow.

Today if you’ve been thinking about trying something new but haven’t been sure, take the chance. There really isn’t anything you can’t do. Open all the doors you desire and step onto a new road. Fill your life with every experience you dream about. It’s all there for you. Take the first step today and see what lies ahead. The possibilities are endless.

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Hope

12 Dec

We have a lot of different relationships and connections in our lives. They may be casual acquaintances we speak to once in a while and see only in passing, or very close and intimate. We value our close relationships and they may have deep impact on our lives. When we love someone and they make decisions that bring them unhappiness or negatively affect our relationship with them, we may hope they will change. We might talk to them about the situation and sincerely ask them to listen to our concerns. Sometimes they will and things improve, but other times we may hope in vain. It’s crushing to be in love with someone who says they love us in return but will not commit. It’s devastating to watch someone close addicted to substances that are hurting them but cannot stop. And it may be overwhelming to see someone we love make the same bad mistakes again and again, and suffer miserably. Although we may hope and pray for the changes needed to stop the suffering, the decisions of others belong to them alone. There is no way to control their choices even if they are destructive. We must evaluate the situation and determine what is best going forward. Sometimes we may stay in the relationship continuing to hope things will improve. Other times it may be important for us to go another way. We can never change anyone but ourselves. If we are in a relationship that is hurting us because of choices being made out of our control, we may choose another way forward.

We are responsible for our own happiness and there may be times when we must end a relationship in order to stay on the road that’s best for us. There is no way to carry anyone’s life but our own, and we may need to alter our course as we continue forward. They say hope springs eternal and in some ways, it does. We can always continue to hope someone will change and find success, but hope is not reality. It is only desire. Reality is what we’re living now. How we manage it will determine how happy we are. We can be loving and supportive without being part of a destructive game. We can allow others to make whatever choices they choose, and continue forward our own way.

We may be pressured to stay in a dysfunctional situation with the hope that if we do, it will improve. That might happen, but change is something that must come from within. If those we are hoping for do not want it, everything will remain the same. Staying in a damaging situation that does not change will hold us in place and prevent us from finding our own success. We can’t change anyone else no matter how much we desire or hope for it. Keeping our eyes focused clearly on what is real and what we want will bring us happiness and satisfaction.

Today if you’ve been hoping someone close to you would change to be happier or healthier, remember the change you seek cannot come from you. Be loving and kind, and supportive and caring, and continue forward. Your life is the only one you can control. Continue moving toward your goals and find success. Everything is there for you and you will reach it.

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Seasons

11 Dec

We go through many different challenges and changes as we navigate our lives. The years come and go, and with them come new experiences that bring us trials or joys depending on where we are and what’s happening around us. In the natural calendar year there are four defined seasons, each with its own expression and blessing. But in our lives the seasons are unnumbered and unlimited. No matter what we’re going through now will change to something else. If we’re in a season of disappointment and regret it will not last forever. Even if we feel devastated and overcome, the days will pass, and soon we will be somewhere else. Life is fluid and ever changing and no season lasts forever. We determine some of what will come by the actions we take, but many things are out of our control and we all face times we could never predict or imagine. The blessing is in the opportunity to experience something new. There are countless things to learn each day, and the chance for growth is ever present. Being aware and awake, and facing every moment fully brings us the greatest blessing. Whether we’re facing hard times or days filled with joy, there is much to be learned and each lesson takes us closer to the person we most want to be. Nobody lives in perfect peace and happiness all the time. Embracing the difficult and happy moments will help us find balance and joy in our lives. We have so much to offer and can grow through every experience we face. Life is a wonderful teacher. We can capture every moment and find great joy as we learn and move forward.

When we’re young we often dream of lives filled with promise and prosperity. Nobody ever wishes for a life full of trial and trouble. We can’t control everything around us but we can control the choices we make. If we choose roads that bring disharmony and contention, we will never find happiness. If we make decisions without thinking, hurt others to move ourselves forward, or manipulate situations to get something we want, our reward will not be the peaceful, happy lives we seek. Every choice we make brings a result. We can re-evaluate our decisions, and if needed, modify them to bring the destinations we desire.

There are few situations in our lives that cannot be changed. If we aren’t happy where we are, we can change what we’re doing and move closer to the destinations we desire. Nobody is frozen in time and there isn’t anything we can’t modify. We may need to change our connections to those around us, move to a different location, or simply stop doing something that is holding us in place. Whatever is needed is within our control. We own our lives and can create them any way we desire. Every season changes and if we want to be somewhere else, we can get there.

Today if you aren’t where you want to be, turn your course and change direction. Your life is yours and you deserve to be happy. Decide where you want to go and take the first step to get there. You can make your dreams come true. Nothing is impossible. Take control and do what is needed to find true happiness. It’s right there for you and you will reach it.

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Done

8 Dec

When we’re working hard toward a goal we may be busy with a lot of details and complications.  If things are moving along toward the finish line it’s easier to keep going than if the situation is continually complicated and difficult.  When the answers are there and everything is going right we feel buoyed up and positive.  But there will be times when no matter what we do we can’t move forward and after several frustrating misses we may decide we’ve had enough.  There comes a point when we are done, and no matter what we wanted to accomplish our focus has changed and we are ready to let go.  Everyone has limits to their energy and patience, and when we reach the end of those limits we may decide the goal is no longer worth pursuing.  Of course we can change our lives any time we wish.  There is no one right way to live and if we want to modify our course we can.  There is no shame in changing our minds.  If the goal isn’t important and can be left behind, we can walk away.  However, if it’s something we absolutely want and don’t feel we’ll be happy until we achieve it, we don’t have to forsake it completely.  Sometimes all we need is a break from the struggle.  We can step away for a while, collect our thoughts, and rethink our plans to find a new way through.  There really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish but some things don’t come easily and take considerable effort and determination to achieve.  We have enough confidence and intelligence to accomplish anything.  We can look at the situation objectively and decide how we want to proceed.  Everything is there for us and we can determine what to do next.

We can keep our lives small and only do what is required to get by, keeping to ourselves and limiting our exposure to new things and ideas.  Or we can extend ourselves and reach higher for something new and exciting.  Whatever we want we can achieve but to achieve anything outside our normal experience will take effort and determination.  Things may go wrong when we step out of our comfort zone and if we can’t tolerate anything but ease we may quickly return to what we know.  If we want something new, we have to be willing to be uncomfortable while we learn it and stay the course until we make it ours.

Success doesn’t always come the first time we try.  It takes practice to learn something new and there will likely be several failures before we get things right.  The mechanics of riding a bicycle are easy – sit on the bike and pedal.  But actually learning to ride one takes practice.  The same is true when we try anything new.  If we give up the first time we fall we’ll never master the skill.  We have all the confidence we need to do anything we desire.  We can take our time, plan our way forward, and find success.

Today if you’ve been working on something that continues to elude you and you are done dealing with it, take a break and think about what you really want to accomplish.  If the goal is important look for another way to master it.  All the answers are there for you.  Try again.  You will reach the end and find success.

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