Archive | August, 2018

Hitting Bottom

24 Aug

Life can be complicated and there is no way to know what lies around the next curve.  We can plan and carefully map out where we want to go and what we want to accomplish and sometimes everything goes exactly the way we planned.  But we can’t read the future and other times things may fall apart with no warning.  If we run into a wall as we rush forward and all our plans go up in smoke, we may hit bottom before we know what’s happened.  Sometimes even the best made plans fail.  We can only control what we do and there are endless influences all around us that may come into play.  If our plans go awry and suddenly we’re on the bottom trying to figure out what to do next, we may be overwhelmed and disheartened.  Starting over can be daunting but with each new beginning comes the chance to find success.  The positive thing about landing on the bottom is the only way ahead is up.  We can learn a lot from failure and take that knowledge forward with us.  It doesn’t matter what’s gone wrong, or how much we’ve lost.  There are unlimited options possible and we can start again.  Maybe the goal isn’t possible now and we need to alter our direction.  Change is constant and in time there will be an opening to find success.  Hitting bottom isn’t pleasant and can be devastating, but if we remember it’s only a passage and not the end of the road we will find strength to continue forward.  We can do anything and nothing is strong enough to hold us down indefinitely.  All options are possible and with courage and determination we will reach our goals.

Failure is a normal part of life.  If everything always went perfectly we would miss the lessons that trials teach us.  When something goes wrong, we learn to be patient and try again.  When we miss the mark, we learn to fine tune our focus and aim more perfectly.  There is much to be gained when things don’t work out and making the most of each experience will broaden our understanding and give us the tools we need to find success moving forward.

If we’ve tried several times to do something and each time our actions fail, we may lose confidence and believe we can’t be successful.  The road we’re on may be blocked and can’t be overcome.  If that happens we can turn and work on something else until the obstacle moves aside and lets us through.  Sometimes success is all about timing and what is impossible today is wide open and accessible in the future.  There are many things to do and much to accomplish.  If we get stuck on one road, we can simply choose another and continue on.  There isn’t anything we can’t accomplish and with patience and determination all our dreams can come true.

Today if you’ve hit a wall and suddenly find everything you wanted to achieve has disappeared and there is no way forward, don’t give up.  There are countless roads to travel and you can reach every goal you desire in time.  Have patience and courage and trust yourself.  You know what to do.  Get up and start again.  Nothing is out of reach and all your dreams are possible.

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Overdrawn

23 Aug

Most of us don’t have unlimited amounts of money and are so rich we don’t have to track or be concerned about what we spend. Generally, we have to carefully watch our expenditures so we don’t get overdrawn in our accounts and cause problems. There are unlimited things to buy and it takes continued diligence and attention to make sure we stay solvent and manage our transactions. Everyone understands this idea when it comes to money but we may not see it when it comes to our personal well-being. There is give and take in everything and no matter what’s involved, if we give away more than we take in we’ll be overdrawn. If we are working hard at our jobs and doing the best we can and yet our superiors never recognize or thank us for our efforts, we may feel unappreciated and unvalued. In our relationships, if we give our time and consideration to someone who never follows through or reciprocates in ways that show they love us, we may feel unfulfilled and unhappy. In every situation if we’re giving our time, efforts, and attention and receive nothing in return, eventually we’ll feel the loss and may give up altogether. We’re all valuable and important and if those around us fail to notice or show their appreciation for what we’re doing and who we are, we can change the situation. We never have to stay anywhere we aren’t happy and can move forward in a new direction. Our lives are precious. We can do what we need to find complete happiness and satisfaction in every arena. If we’re overdrawn, we can stop spending our assets and move forward with confidence.

Some people are natural givers. They like to serve others and help whenever they can. It’s normal for them to offer their time and energy when they see a need, and they find great reward in serving others. It’s noble to help others and reach out in kindness, and when we can our lives will be enriched. But there is a tipping point in every scenario and if we reach the place where we’re giving and giving and still there is more need, we can step back and realistically evaluate how much more we can offer. We can sacrifice our time and still recognize and honor our personal needs. We need not give to the point of complete exhaustion. We’re in control and can ensure we aren’t giving so much to help others that we’re hurting ourselves in the process.

Our personal needs are important and deserve our attention. Taking care of ourselves is the most important thing we do every day. It’s difficult to serve others when we’re exhausted and worn out. If we take the time we need to be healthy, rested and strong we will be more effective and helpful. We can always take time to restore and recharge. By being wise and mindful not to overdraw our personal account we’ll ensure we are ready when a need arises and prepared to help.

Today if you’ve been giving too much in a situation and feel drained and worn out, step away and take the time you need to restore. You are important and valuable, and there isn’t anyone else like you in all the world. You are a great blessing and bring amazing gifts to us all. Be wise and take the best care of yourself. You’ll feel better and stronger, and more confident moving forward.

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Doubling Down

22 Aug

Everyone makes their own decisions about what they want to do.  We choose the paths we want to follow and each moment of each day decide how to proceed. We have complete power over how we live our lives and each decision we make defines who we are and what we stand for.  Sometimes we may make choices that aren’t in our best interest but because of circumstance or personal desire we make them anyway.  If they are in direct contradiction with what we say we stand for there will be a disconnect.  We don’t need anyone’s permission to do anything but if we say one thing and do another there will likely be conflict.  There is no way to justify condemning something someone else does and then say it’s different if we decide to do the same thing.  A change in players doesn’t change the act.  We may believe that because we are smarter or older, or somehow wiser, we can get away with doing something we disapprove of in others, but it’s impossible to be honest and authentic by playing both sides of the story.   We can make any excuse we want, double down on our reasons, and try to explain the hypocrisy away but that will never change the facts.  We can say anything we want but who we really are is reflected not in what we say, but in what we do.  If we want to be completely honest in all our dealings we must reconcile any issues where there is contradiction between our words and our actions.  We can’t expect anyone to trust us if we aren’t true to who we say we are.  The choices we make create the lives we have.  We can live in ways that bring us trust from those around us and be confident in choosing wisely in ways that take us where we really want to go.

There is an old story of a man who asked his neighbor if he could borrow his axe.  The neighbor said no, and the man asked him why not.  The neighbor told him he couldn’t lend the axe because he was making soup.  Confused, the man asked what making soup had to do with borrowing an axe and the neighbor replied, “Nothing, but if I don’t want to lend you my axe, one excuse is as good as another.”  When we make choices that are contradictory we can give any excuse we like.  In the end, the only thing others will remember is what we did – not the reason or excuse we gave for doing it.  Honesty always brings confidence, and that confidence will bring us happiness.

If we’ve made a mistake in judgement and done something that damages our credibility, we can turn around and correct the way forward.  Owning our decisions and doing what is needed to repair what we’ve damaged will pave the road ahead and help us mend any broken connections.  We have unlimited opportunities before us and with wisdom and patience we will find the right road.

Today if you’ve made a decision that contradicts who you really are, turn around and start again.  You can change anything necessary to correct your way forward.  Be careful and wise, and be who you really are.  You have so much to offer and we need your influence.   Be confident and show us your best.  Every success is there for you and you will find it.

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Getting Experience

21 Aug

There are all kinds of ups and downs in all our lives. Sometimes everything runs along smoothly with little disruption or discord, and other times it seems every step we take brings more problems and trouble. In the midst of trials and confusion when it seems nothing will go right, it can be hard to understand how the experience is helping us and what we could possibly be gaining as we struggle. Nobody wants trouble in their lives and we try to avoid it whenever possible. But trouble will come no matter what we do and when it does, how we manage and overcome it broadens our understanding of life and who we are. It’s not fun to suffer and if the trial is intense and the burden heavy we may believe it’s impossible to get through. We may want to quit, give up and walk away rather than face what we must to resolve the issue. It’s always easier to surrender rather than work through our problems but if we do, we can never prevail. No matter how hard an issue is, no matter how complicated the situation, we have everything we need to navigate through it successfully. It may take serious thought and pondering and it may take a lot of time, but we can find the way. Every experience teaches us something of value. Each trial brings worthwhile understanding and every lesson enriches our lives in some way. We grow and mature because of the experiences we go through. Up or down, easy or hard, each step teaches something new. Complete happiness and satisfaction are possible if we’re willing to work through everything that comes. We are stronger and more capable than we realize and nothing is too difficult for us to manage.

There may be times when it seems our lives are out of sync. We can’t find the right path, nothing is working and we may feel beset and confused. When we can’t advance, we can stop and stand still for a moment and look at all the options before us. There will never be a time when all the roads ahead are closed. If we widen our vision and see all the possibilities, we will find the way. We can untangle any confusion before us and find success.

Life is all about change. The only real guarantee we have is that what we’re going through today will be different tomorrow. No road stays the same forever. Things will turn and we will find the way. What we learn as we travel becomes part of us and helps us as we move forward. The wisdom we gain enriches us and deepens our understanding. Life is an incredible blessing and if we’re patient in suffering and trust our ability to overcome whatever we must, we will find great joy and satisfaction as we move forward.

Today if you’re in the midst of trials and confusion and can’t see the way forward, if every step seems to complicate the situation further, have faith. Walk with confidence and remember how strong and capable you are. As you gain wisdom and insight you are getting closer to the person you really want to be. Nothing is too difficult for you to manage. You are amazing and powerful, and every blessing will come.

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Out of the Light

20 Aug

We determine what is right for us and where our ethical and moral boundaries lie.  When we’re true to the standards that define us we can be authentic in our expressions and genuine in our responses.  There will be opportunities every day to compromise ourselves and step away from the boundaries we’ve set.  If we decide to venture into areas outside the borders we’ve defined as what’s best for us, the foundations we’ve built will be left behind and we’ll step onto a road that will take us somewhere we’ve never been.  We may think we’re only stepping out of the light for a moment, and then we’ll return, but life continually moves forward and it’s possible that although we only intend to set our standards aside for a moment, what we do may make it difficult to return to them.  If we point our compass away from the values we’ve previously set, it may be hard to turn it back and start again.  We can always change our lives and no roads are closed indefinitely but the patterns we choose and connections we make can be powerful.  One step away from who we are takes us closer to becoming someone else.  Letting go of our personal values and standards will never make us into the people we most want to become.  One thing always leads to another and every choice will bring a result.  We can carefully look ahead and make choices that take us where we want to go and help us to live our best.

Dishonesty will never bring us lasting happiness.  One lie often leads to another, and then another, and before we know it we may find we’ve forgotten what’s real.  It’s possible to create a life of mirages and illusion that has no basis in fact or reality.  We can tell people anything we like, pretend to be someone we aren’t, and manipulate the truth any way that paves the way forward.  If we are proficient we may fool others for a long time but eventually the truth will rise and we’ll be left with nothing but our lies for companions.

If we want something badly, we may be tempted to step out of line for a moment and cheat – just this once – in order to get it.  We may justify the action by thinking we’ll only do this one time but if we’re successful and don’t get caught it’s possible we’ll try it again.  If we continue over and over it’ll become our new norm and we may lose our sense of what is right altogether.  Our lives are ours to design.  We can be dishonest, unethical, manipulative, and as slippery as we want.  Or we can hold fast to the values we cherish and no matter what, choose the right.  The lives we have will be reflected in each choice we make.  We are strong enough, wise enough, and brave enough to choose wisely and live with excellence.

Today if you’ve stepped away from your personal standards, decide what kind of person you want to be.  You can find authenticity and perfection by choosing to be honest in all your dealings.  The roads to your dreams are straight and true.  Hold fast to the values you cherish and choose the right at every turn.  Your light will shine brightly and every door will open for you.

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