Archive | March, 2023

Means to an End

20 Mar

We all have things we dream about, goals we want to accomplish and dreams we want to realize. Some of them come easily and others are difficult and complicated, and take a lot of effort and time to achieve. We may face a time when someone offers us the possibility of a shortcut to a destination we really want. Maybe we want a promotion at work, and our current boss tells us if we work on a special project we’ll likely get it. Generally, in cases like this, there isn’t an iron clad promise that the prize will be ours if we comply, but merely the hint that it’ll happen. If we believe it will help move us forward and take the bet, we may choose to do as we’re asked. It’s good to try new things, and work hard, but sometimes the cost is great. Suppose we must work a lot of overtime, and deal with difficult people, and do all kinds of unpleasant tasks to get the job done, and then suppose it takes far longer than we thought it would at the beginning. If we are convinced it’s a necessary means to the end we desire, we may continue on and stick it out. When we’re done, and the project is finished, we might actually get the promotion, but nothing is sure until it happens. If we do, the trials and struggles may have been worth it, but what if it doesn’t happen? What if something changes and the promise we believed in does not come to fruition? Then what? Once trust has been broken it’s very hard to re-establish, and if we must continue to work with someone who’s broken it, the situation may be very difficult to endure. We are in control of our lives and can make any decisions we like, but our we are important, and every day is a gift. Before we accept any suggestion, we can take the time we need to fully understand what is involved, what we’ll have to give up to accomplish the task, and what we’ll lose if things don’t work out. If it’s a chance we’re willing to take, we can proceed forward, but if the costs are high, and there is no guarantee of success, we may decide to wait. Whatever decision we make will take us somewhere. By taking our time and choosing wisely, we can ensure it will take us closer to where we really want to be. We are highly intelligent and perfectly capable of seeing things clearly and making excellent decisions. We can trust ourselves to make the best choice and find great satisfaction moving forward.

Families are complicated and although we love those involved, our relationships may be difficult and trying at times. There may be a lot of pressure to do things the same way as other family members, and if we want to take a different road, there may be conflict and hard feelings. We are entitled to live our lives any way we like, but going against the family norm can be difficult and stressful. If there is a lot of contention, we may buckle and simply decide to set our own desires aside and go with the flow to end the distress. We may be able to follow along for a while, but our dreams will continue to pester us, and if we really want to be happy, at some point we’re going to have to strike out on our own. Being different does not mean being less. We know who we are and what we want, and with courage and determination, we can have the lives we desire most.

We may be in a personal relationship with someone who has ideas about how we should live our lives which may be very different from what we really want. They may suggest what we should do, where we should go, what we should wear, and who we should be friends with. We’re all entitled to our own opinions, but nobody knows us better than we know ourselves. Even someone very successful doesn’t know more about what we want than we do. We can be confident with the decisions we make and trust ourselves to find our own way forward. Every destination is possible and with focus and clarity, we will reach success.

Today remember you are in control of your life. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Every single road is open and waiting, and all your dreams are possible. With determination and confidence, nothing can keep you from success. Decide how you want to proceed and take the first step forward. You are amazing and capable, and nothing is too difficult for you. Be sure and move forward. Every success is already there for you and you will reach them all.

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Looking Down

9 Mar

There are all kinds of people in the world with all kinds of cultures and ideas. We’re all different and our choices are unique to each of us. Because of our differences, there is sometimes conflict and we might think the world would be better if we were all the same. Well, it might be easier if everyone was on the same page all the time, but there would be no way to grow, and boredom would be constant. It would be like going to Disneyland and all the rides are exactly the same. It’s easy to spend time with others who share our values and opinions, but there will always be someone in our circle we disagree with. If the differences are hard for us to understand, we may think they’re odd and beneath what we’re doing. We can look down on anyone we like, but being different does not mean being less. Chocolate ice cream is very different from vanilla, but they are both delicious. The world is a big, busy place and there is no way to completely insulate ourselves from others who are different that we are. Nobody will ever be exactly like us and there is nothing to be gained by judging those with other expressions. They aren’t dumb or stupid – they are just different than we’re accustomed to. Instead of judging what we may not understand, it’s better to accept others for who they are. We don’t have to adopt their point of view, we don’t have to follow their lead, and we don’t have to change our lives to fit anyone else’s narrative. The old saying, “Live and let live,” is the best approach. We are intelligent and highly capable of managing any situation that comes. Life is full of variety, and we can be welcoming even when we don’t agree, and find enrichment in contrasting viewpoints. 

Some people are very confident and sure of themselves. They may believe they have all the right answers and anyone who disagrees just doesn’t understand the issue. If we don’t follow their line of thinking, they may criticize and ridicule us in an effort to get us to follow along. It can be difficult to deal with them, and hard to be patient if we must. No matter what anyone else is doing, we always have the power to choose our own way. Nobody is in control of our lives but us. There are many roads to every destination. We can go left when they go right, and still find our way to the goal.

Family pressures and cultural influences may be strong. When we’re young it’s easy to go along with whatever our parents are doing and what’s happening around us. But as we mature, we develop our own ideas about what we want to do and how things should go. Our ideas are important and our choices are ours to make. Just because something has been done one way for a long time doesn’t mean we have to continue on the same road. We know who we are and what we want, and with courage and determination, can live our lives exactly the way we desire.

Today if you’re dealing with someone very different from you, whose ideas and choices are foreign, remember we’re all unique. You can choose any road you want to travel. You know where you want to go and already have everything you need to reach any destination you desire. Decide how you want to proceed and begin your journey. Nothing can keep you from success.  The whole world is there for you.