Archive | September, 2018

Declining

20 Sep

“I’m disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means “no.” Captain Barbossa, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl

Throughout our lives, people will ask us to do many different things. They may ask us for something for them or someone else, it might be a personal favor or a professional agreement, or it may be something entirely different. It’s easier to navigate any interaction when everyone involved agrees and there is no dissension in the ranks. When any request comes it’s up to us to decide how we want to proceed. If there’s pressure from those around us we might agree even when we don’t want to. We’re always in control of our decisions and can do whatever we feel is best for us. But politics, pressure, and even coercion may come into play and when they do we may feel we have no option but to agree. If we’re concerned about what may happen if we decline a request it will impact our ability to choose objectively. But if the decision requires us to do something we feel is unethical, immoral or illegal, or if we simply don’t want to go along, despite any pressures placed on us, we can decline. We have enough courage to say no when we want to, and never have to do anything that compromises us in any way. Our lives are ours to design and every choice we make defines who we are. We can be true to our personal best and make decisions that reflect who we want to be. The paths we choose are up to us and no matter what others around us are doing, we can go our own way.

There are endless ideas about what we should do, where we should go, how we should dress, what we should eat, and so on. There is no one perfect way to live life, and everyone is entitled to make any choices they like. We don’t need the agreement of others to choose the paths we’ll follow or what we’ll do. We can be confident in our decisions even if they don’t match those around us. Our lives belong to us and the unique interpretation we bring enhances the world and brings depth to everyone’s experience. We can be confident in our uniqueness and make decisions that reflect what we want the most.

There are endless reasons to do the things we do. It’s always easy to go along with others and follow their lead and we may certainly choose that whenever we like. But every decision we make reflects who we really are and impacts the road ahead. If we review our steps before we make them and alter our course when we need to we will more effectively reach the goals we most desire. We are the only ones who decide where we’ll go. All destinations are possible and we can choose any road to travel.

Today if you’ve been asked to do something you don’t want to do but aren’t sure about declining, remember your decisions are important and your views are valuable. You can do anything you like. All options are possible and nothing is out of reach. You are strong, wise and powerful. You can design your life any way you like. Be confident and choose the roads that will take you where you most want to go.

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The Dark Side

18 Sep

Life is filled with ups and downs. One minute everything is sailing along fine and we’re comfortable and then a ringer gets thrown into our plans and everything goes awry. Everyone wants their days to be easy and fun but unfortunately, we don’t live in paradise and there will be problems. As we go through one complication after another we learn to be flexible and hopefully gain increased patience and understanding. We can keep our wits about us when the road ahead gets dark and trust we’ll find our way through. Many times, we’re able to see what needs to be done so we can accomplish the task at hand, but sometimes if the problem is very serious and we’re intensely impacted we may struggle to stand, much less move forward. Bad things happen. People do things that hurt us, plans fail, sickness comes, and there may be times when we have to completely change where we’re headed. When darkness falls and it’s hard to see, we may get discouraged. But the light is still there. It’s still shining over us above the clouds and we will reach it. We can trust we’ll be able to manage and survive. We’ll learn many things through trial and take them with us to help us going forward. Life is an incredible blessing. If we remember how strong and capable we are, in the midst of trouble we’ll feel more confident and find the answers we need.

It seems like life would be so much better if everything would just go the way we wanted it to. If we could get up each morning knowing nothing would go wrong we would feel more comfortable and happy. However, if all our days were perfect there would be nothing to strive for. We would have no reason to learn anything new or try to improve ourselves. Everything would be the same every day and we would remain exactly as we are. Trials open new horizons for growth and teach us more about ourselves and the world around us. We gain new skills and depth as we overcome each problem and become wiser and more patient. Struggle brings great blessings to our lives. We can take those blessing with us to enhance the way ahead.

We may face a time when many things go wrong all at once. It can be overwhelming to figure out what to do when the ground we’re standing on is shaking and unsure. If we’re stunned to our very core with an issue that has knocked us down, we don’t have to jump up right away. We can take a moment to settle and see the situation openly. We have everything we need to face anything that happens and every answer is there for us. We don’t have to solve everything at once. We can take one step at a time and open each door as it appears. We are stronger than we think we are and nothing can hold us down. Every success is still waiting for us and with patience and persistence we will reach it.

Today if you’re in the midst of a very difficult situation and have no idea what to do next, stand still for moment and take everything in. The answers are already there for you. Take one step forward and the road will open up ahead. You are amazing and strong and nothing can stop you from gaining every success you seek. Be confident. You will prevail.

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Throwing Paint

17 Sep

We can do anything we want with our lives.  We can make good choices or just do things because we can, hoping it’ll all work out.  If we don’t think about the decisions we’re making, sometimes things will work out but other times the choices we’ve made may complicate the way forward and cause problems.  Success will not simply be handed to us and it takes effort to live well.  We’re in complete control of our lives and what we do is our responsibility.  We can lie about what we’re doing but if we lie about the actions of others, we impact the world in negative and hateful ways that may bring extreme pain and despair.  Lying about someone, saying they did something they didn’t or in other ways impact them dishonestly, may taint them until the truth comes out.  It’s like throwing paint around.  Wherever it lands it leaves a mark.  But paint is temporary and can be removed.  When the truth comes out, as it inevitably will, things will change and the mark left by our dishonesty may be removed as well.  Truth is powerful and nothing we do or say can hold it back forever.  It will always rise and if we’ve been dishonest, in time our actions will be uncovered and open for all to see.  We are a reflection of everything we do.  If we want the best lives possible we must choose well.  Every success is there for us if we do what is needed to achieve it.  We can have the lives we dream about if we carefully and honestly move forward.

There are times in everyone’s life when things go wrong.  If we’re in a situation where we’re desperate for things to change we may consider saying or doing something underhanded.  Desperation may make us think about options we wouldn’t normally contemplate.  If we lie or manipulate others to get out of the situation, it may work but the dishonesty will follow us.  We’re accountable for everything we do and at some point, possibly the worst possible moment, the deception will be exposed and we will answer for it one way or another.  It’s hard to manage difficulty and nobody wants to struggle.  When trouble comes if we get through it with virtue and nobility, once it’s over we can move on and there will be no unpleasant reminders of what we’ve done and nothing to clean up afterward.

It isn’t always easy to take the high road and hold fast to our ethical and moral standards.  There are unlimited excuses for the decisions we make.  We’re always free to choose but we are never free to choose the consequences of those decisions.  Everything we do impacts our lives in one way or another.  By choosing well despite the inconvenience or effort, we have a better chance of getting the results we desire.  Choosing to be the best we can be in every situation will bring us satisfaction and happiness and pave the way forward to the lives we want the most.

Today if you’re in a situation that seems unbearable and you’re considering a lie to get out of it, think again.  Your integrity is valuable and precious.  You can handle anything and nothing is too powerful for you to navigate.  Stand firm in your honesty and hold tight to your values.  Great success lies ahead.  You will reach it by being true to the very best you have to offer.

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Show Me

13 Sep

There are many different emotions we experience in our lives. One of the most rewarding, frustrating, difficult and pleasurable is love. Love creates strong, sometimes intense connections to those around us and when we share it with someone we may feel complete and happy. Everyone expresses their emotions in different ways. One person may be very affectionate while someone else who feels the same way may be more reserved in what they show. We’re unique and express what we feel according to what’s comfortable for us and how much we’re willing to display. But when we say we love someone, love is a verb. It requires us to do something that shows how we feel. If we do nothing and merely admit our feelings to ourselves alone, or simply express our feelings in words only, it’s likely we’ll never have the relationship we seek. Words are fine for giving directions or explaining how things work, but if we want to express that we love someone, words are only the first step. We must show we love them through our actions, our consideration, our trust, and our commitment. Without actions words mean nothing and we may lose a tender connection we truly desire. By being open and expressing our feelings we can get close to others in ways that will bring us intense joy and satisfaction. We have everything we need to create strong, healthy relationships and show those we love how we feel. When we do, our lives will be enriched and we’ll find great happiness.

It’s impossible to have a close, loving relationship with someone if they don’t know how we feel. It can be difficult to express our tenderest emotions, and we may hesitate not knowing what the response will be. Baring our souls and deepest feelings takes courage and we may need time before we’re ready. We can take all the time we need to express ourselves, but we will never be able to move forward until we do. We can hold our feelings close and keep them to ourselves for as long as we like. But every moment we wait keeps us from the possible happiness we could enjoy.

If we aren’t confident about actually building a real love relationship with someone else, but still want them close, we may say we love them and make promises from a distance without ever letting them near. They may get caught up in our words at first and believe we really care, but if we don’t actually let them into our lives, we will eventually lose them. It’s impossible for anyone to believe we love them over time if we aren’t willing to do anything that shows we care. If we don’t let them in, they will remain on the outside. We’re brave enough to open our hearts to those we love. We can let them share and become part of our lives. The intimacy of letting someone know us deeply will bring tremendous satisfaction and depth into our relationship.

Today if you feel love for someone but have been unable to express it, think about what you really want. You can open your heart and share your life and find great pleasure in the connection. Be open and let others in. Your life will be richer and you’ll be happier. Show your love and you’ll have great blessings and joy.

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Thick Skin

12 Sep

We’re all different and everyone experiences the world in different ways.  The things that affect some of us deeply are hardly noticed by others.  We’re all unique in our expressions and interpretations and if we’re highly emotional we may feel developments more acutely than someone who is more pragmatic.  There is no wrong way to see the world but if we don’t feel strong or capable of managing whatever is happening, we may cave in and become overwhelmed.  Everyone has moments when they aren’t sure about what to do or don’t feel strong enough to face a particular issue.  It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times but we need not let that paralyze us.  Lots of things will happen as we go through our lives and some of them may be quite intense.  If we allow the situation to control us we may fall down and struggle to regain our footing.  There really isn’t anything too powerful for us to manage.  Even if we’re shocked and have the wind knocked out of us for a moment, we have the power to engage our reasoning and stand firm.  Life can be complicated and sometimes things will go wrong – perhaps very wrong.  We can face whatever comes and hold fast knowing we will overcome.  We are stronger and more resilient than we realize and nothing is strong enough to hold us down.  Every answer we need is there for us and we can trust in our ability to do whatever we must to move forward.  We can be confident and courageous when trials come and trust we will prevail.  Nothing can keep us from success.  We can always win.

Sometimes the very thing we think we could never endure actually happens to us.  We may have imagined we aren’t strong enough to survive a serious setback.  We may do everything in our power to prevent things from going wrong, but we only have control over ourselves and there are lots of decisions being made we know nothing about.  If the bottom falls out of our plans and everything falls apart we don’t need to fall apart with it.  We can face any storm and push through.  Disappointments will come but no matter what goes wrong we have everything we need to get through.  We are powerful and strong, and nothing can stop us.

We can do everything in our power to avoid conflict, stay out of trouble, and keep the peace, and still problems will arise.  It’s the nature of life.  There will always be differences and opposition no matter what we’re doing.  Trying to stay away from it might work for a time but eventually we’ll go through trying times that are difficult to navigate.  We may get confused, feel unsure, and struggle to figure out what to do next but if we keep pushing forward we will prevail.  Everything we need to succeed is there for us.  We need only trust ourselves to find it and continue forward.

Today if you’re overwhelmed with an issue you don’t think you can manage, stand strong.  You are wiser and more capable than you realize and nothing is too difficult for you to understand and manage.  Every answer you need is already there for you.  Be confident and trust yourself.  Nothing can keep you from success.

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