Archive | December, 2021

Twinkle Lights

17 Dec

During the holiday season, we often see strands of twinkle lights hung over doorways, in shop windows, on cars, and many other places. We might decorate our homes with them and hang them on our Christmas Tree.  They aren’t big, and aren’t loud or dramatic, but wherever they are they cheerfully and quietly add charm and delight. It’s a small thing to hang them up and turn them on, but these tiny little dots of light cheer us as we move through our days. As they extinguish just one small drop of darkness, they may lighten our steps and lift our spirits. We have the same power within us. Every time we do something for someone else out of charity and kindness, we too, extinguish just a small drop of darkness and bring light.  We don’t have to move mountains, feed nations, or cure diseases to make a big impact.  One small act when someone needs it will bring great relief and comfort to those who receive it.  Maybe we just offer a helping hand with a heavy bag of groceries, or open a door for an elderly stranger, maybe we check in on our neighbor to see how they are, or call a loved one we haven’t seen in a while.  Small acts of kindness are powerful, and just like a stone tossed into a pond, may have endless rippling effects for good.  Our lives are busy and it’s easy to get caught up in our daily routine and all the things we have to accomplish.  But if we take a moment, just one small snatch of time, to look around, we will see something we can do that will enhance and improve the experience of someone around us. When we share, when we give and lift others, the whole world is enriched. We have so much to offer and so much to give.  By extending ourselves just a little and touching those around us, we can be like those tiny, beautiful twinkle lights. We have the power to change the world. Sharing with others, and caring about those around us will bring us great joy, and lasting fulfillment.

It’s hard to be around continually grouchy people, and their constant bickering brings us all down. As they bemoan what they don’t have or what they didn’t get or how they weren’t recognized or endless other gripes, those around them may try anything to get away. If we care for them we may try to encourage them to see things in a different light, and we might succeed.  However, our personal happiness is our own responsibility and if we’re determined to be miserable, there is little anyone can do. Life is complicated, and sometimes things will not go our way. Sometimes we’re going to fail, sometimes we’re going to lose, and sometimes we’re not going to get the job. But nothing is permanent and even if we’re struggling now, eventually things will change.  We can trust ourselves to do whatever is needed to change course, and find success.

Nobody gets a perfect life filled with rainbows and roses. We’re all going to suffer at some point.  If we’re enduring an extremely difficult passage, and it seems we’re doomed and there is no hope of rescue, we may struggle to find any light. It may seem as though everyone else has it better than we do, and somehow we’ve been singled out to suffer. Of course, that will never be true. Hard times may come, but no matter what happens, we will get through. No storm can last forever, and eventually the clouds will lift and everything will change. We are strong and capable, and nothing can hold us down forever. By focusing on what is working and keeping our eyes on the road ahead, we can walk through any trouble with confidence and clarity.

Today, remember how valuable and precious you are. There is great strength and wisdom within you and you are a gift to the world. Bring light to those around you, and share who you are.  Nobody could ever replace the blessings you have to offer.  Step forward with confidence.  Every gift is waiting, and every success is possible.  Nothing can keep you from your dreams, and you will prevail.

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Failure Required

15 Dec

Everyone has goals they want to achieve and we all want success.  We can decide what we want, and then do what we must to make it ours. The options are limitless and what we do is completely up to us.  It’s good to strive for what we want, and aim for success in all our dealings. We can only control our own lives, and have no power over any one else’s decisions. If we’re in competition with someone else over something we both want, we may decide we’ll do anything to win. We may feel we need to not only prevail, but crush whoever is on the other side. It won’t be enough just to win – we need the other guy to fail, and fail miserably. Finding joy in someone else’s demise may bring us momentary satisfaction, but it will do nothing to enrich or enhance our lives moving forward. Making others suffer will never bring us lasting happiness. Crushing our opponent and ensuring they never challenge us again only eliminates one player.  There will always be a bigger fish, and we’re fools if we believe we’ll always win.  We can do anything we like, but we are accountable for every decision.  There is no free space in life where what we do doesn’t count. Everything counts.  We can push ourselves to achieve, and win many different confrontations, but if we destroy others to get there, the victory will be hollow.  There is no need to crush anyone to prove we are worth the prize. We can do our best and push forward, and allow others the same privilege. We have the potential to conquer great adversity, and overcome enormous challenges. By stepping forward with confidence, sure of success, and keeping our eyes on our own road, we will achieve every goal we desire.  Nothing is beyond our reach, and there is great success ahead.

Sometimes competitions become personal. We not only try to out do the other competitors, but in the heat of the moment, may fall prey to criticism and ridicule in an effort to exert our dominance. Making others feel small may make us seem big, but the decisions we make, even in competition, decide what kind of people we are.  We can understand that competition should be fair and open, and make good choices that move us ahead without degrading others. There is greatness in us all, and by honoring the talents of those around us and striving to be the best we can be, we will prevail and reach every goal.  

In every contest, there is a winner and a loser.  Sometimes people are concerned that the losers will feel bad, and decide to eliminate the winner and give everyone a participation trophy.  That’s fine but unfortunately real life doesn’t work that way.  All the roads ahead aren’t paved, and if we lose, nobody is going to give us a prize.   Learning how to deal with losing gives us the skills we need to face disappointment and loss.  We are strong and capable, and can certainly cope with missing the mark from time to time. By choosing to stay in the game, and continue trying, success will be ours and we will prevail.

Today if you’re determined to win and will do anything to crush your opposition, remember the person you most want to be.  You have so much to offer and great gifts to give.  Show us your light, and do your best.  Everyone is embellished and uplifted because you are here.  Be confident and sure.  Every success is already there for you and you will prevail.

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Taking a Leap

14 Dec

There are endless things we can do if we want to.  The world is full of possibilities.  Every goal is achievable and we can do anything or go anywhere.  Before we begin, we may think about how we’ll proceed.  We can take all the time we like to consider all the options and start making a plan.  We can ponder the road ahead, write out every detail that may happen, share our ideas with those around us and think long and hard about getting to the goal.  Planning, preparing, thinking and talking may help us get organized and ready, but we will go nowhere until we take the leap and actually begin. Lots of people say they want lots of things but do nothing to get them.  They may talk about the new career they’re going to build, or the places they’re going to go, or endless plans they’re going to fulfill.  We may hear them again and again saying what they’re going to do, but nothing ever changes.  They’re still in the same place doing the same things.  Dreams and plans are just ideas until we decide to do what is need to make them real. We’re in control of our lives and can do anything but we will never achieve the goals we most desire without action. Nothing is going to suddenly appear just because we want it.  No fairy godmother or genie in a bottle is ever going to show up.  Wishing and hoping will not change our lives.  We are powerful and strong and can accomplish anything we desire. We can stop talking about what we’re going to do, and start doing it.  Every destination is there, waiting for us.  The lives we desire most are reachable.  By taking the first step, and continuing forward with focus and determination, we will make our dreams come true.

There is rarely a perfect time to begin something new.  Our lives are busy and complex, and if we wait for the perfect moment when everything is settled and lined up, we may wait forever.  There is no way to read the future and we have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  The best time to start moving toward a goal is when we decide we want it.  Once we’ve identified exactly where we want to go and what we want to do, we can step forward and begin.  The whole world is there for us, and we are the only ones who can keep us from success.

Change can be intimidating.  Even when we know what we want, it can be hard to take the first step.  We don’t know what will happen, we don’t know if things will work out the way we planned, we don’t know who will step in front of us, we don’t know anything except we want the goal.  Success often hinges on how much we want it.  Complications always arise, the road may turn, we might get pulled off track for a time or face a big detour.  It doesn’t matter what gets in the way.  If we’re determined to win, we will win. Every goal is possible.  Every dream awaits. We can do anything, and we will succeed. 

Today if you’ve been thinking about something you want but haven’t yet taken the leap, be brave and take the first step forward.  There isn’t anything strong enough to hold you in place.  You know what you want, and you are powerful enough to get it.  Trust yourself.  Every success is already there for you.  Nothing is out of reach and you will win.

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Dismissed

13 Dec

Everyone is unique, and there are endless ideas, expressions, interpretations, and beliefs.  We can design our lives any way we like, but we have no control over what others choose or what they do. It’s good to be polite and accepting of different viewpoints and decisions, and there is great richness to be gained by including those who are different than we are.  There is unlimited variety in all things, and we don’t all have to travel the same roads to reach success.  Although many of us understand and accept differences, some people are very sure their way is the only right way and will not tolerate anything else. They may demean others who choose a different path, criticize lifestyles and decisions, and lord over those who are too timid to stand up to their demands.  Being confident is one thing – being dictatorial and oppressive is something else.  Dismissing others who have a different viewpoint, calling them names, or isolating them will never bring anything positive.  Nobody alive has all the answers.  The smartest people on earth don’t know everything. We can do anything we like, go anywhere we want, and adopt any philosophy or belief we desire.  Every decision involving our lives is up to us, but that’s where it ends.  We have no authority to design anyone else’s life.  Everyone has the right to choose their own journey, regardless of what others think.  Being different does not mean being less.  We can be confident and sure of everything we choose, and allow others the same freedom.  By walking side by side, instead of forcing everyone to follow us, we will learn more about ourselves and the world around us.  There is greatness in us all.  By sharing our very best with those around us, we will embellish everyone.

Some people talk a lot about diversity and inclusion.  They expound on how important it is to accept others, but when someone has a different viewpoint from theirs, their ideas of acceptance sometimes fall away, and criticism and ridicule take their place. There is no way to be inclusive of others and then target those who don’t conform and exclude them from the conversation.  We don’t all have to agree to have value.  We’re valuable just as we are.  We can accept differences, even when we don’t like them.  By extending the hand of friendship, despite disagreements, we will make many great connections and build strong relationships.

Politics can be a contentious issue.  Some feel very strongly about their specific point of view and although they may say they are for including others, if someone is on the opposite side of the political aisle, they may dismiss them or worse.  Differences are a part of normal life, and we’re all entitled to our own opinions, no matter what others think.  By understanding we all have worth, and every idea is valuable, we can be cooperative and supportive despite disagreement.  We have so much to offer and being kind and welcoming will help us bring great light to the world. 

Today if you’re dismissing someone because their ideas don’t make sense to you, stop and think again.  Different viewpoints bring great depth and richness to our experience.  Step forward and listen to every viewpoint.  Everyone has a unique gift to offer.  Honor differences even when you don’t like them, and be open to everyone. You are such a great blessing to the world.  Give us your best, and we’ll all succeed. 

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Change of Address

10 Dec

The world is a big place and there are unlimited destinations to visit.  No matter where we are or what’s going on, we can go anywhere at any time.  Moving to a new location and starting over is a big change. Everything will be different, the roads, the stores, the people, and it will take some time to find our way around.  Just like moving to a new location, there may be times in our lives when we want to change our personal circumstance.  We want something different, a new situation where we can let go of the past and start anew.  Maybe we’ve suffered a painful breakup and continuing with the same patterns is too difficult, maybe our careers have taken a turn and it’s time to re-evaluate the way forward.  There are endless things that may happen that may prompt us to regroup and restart.  If we aren’t planning to move our physical location, we can initiate changes in our personal connections that will help us turn the corner toward something new.  Our families are ours no matter what has happened, but if our relationships are difficult or stressful, we can alter the way we interact with them.  If our patterns with friends or associates are holding us back, we can change our connections with them and move in a different direction.  Nothing is off the table.  By taking the time to decide what we want the most and where we most want to be, we can move forward in ways that will pave the road ahead and help us reach success.  Every destination, every goal, and every dream are possible.  We know what we want, and have everything we need to get it.  We just need to begin.

Routines and patterns make our lives easy.  When we do the same things day after day, we may find we don’t even have to think as we move forward.  We know pretty much what to expect and what will happen.  There’s nothing wrong with a repetitive, predictable life.  We can keep doing the same things for as long as we like, but doing the same things will never bring us something new.  If we want to experience something different, we have to do something different.  We can step away from what is comfortable and reach further toward the goals we most want to achieve.  Once we decide what we want, we can design our lives in ways that move us closer to the goal.

The first step toward a new life is the hardest.  When we venture into unknown territory, we don’t know what will happen or what’s around the next curve.  One step leads to another and as we continue forward we’ll discover more about ourselves and the world around us, and open up new challenges that will enrich and embellish our lives.  As we stretch and reach further, new doors will open and we will gain more confidence.  There is no need to stay in a corner when the whole world is there for us.  We can do anything and go anywhere, and have the lives we desire most. 

Today if you want something new but haven’t begun the journey, be confident and trust yourself. You are capable of far more than you realize, and nothing is out of reach.  Decide what you want the most, and take the first step forward.  Then take another, and soon you’ll reach success.  You are amazing and powerful, and every destination is there for you.  Nothing can hold you in place and you will prevail.

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