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Leaning In

26 Mar

We go through a lot of experiences every day as we navigate through our lives.  Some things bring us joy, some make us angry, some are boring and others may be intense or pass with little notice.  Our emotions and how we respond to them are part of what make us human and help others relate to us.  Some people are good at hiding their emotions and prefer not to let others see how they really feel.  Others wear their hearts on their sleeves and we can see everything they’re feeling most of the time.  Being open with our feelings helps us express ourselves and makes it easier for others to understand us.  But if our feelings are negative, or angry and intense, allowing them to color our interactions may make our lives more difficult and complicated.  It’s fine to share personal expressions but we must remember they may affect the message we are trying to portray.  When we are upset and angry and scream at those around us to make a point, the only thing we may accomplish is to push them away.  Trying to understand someone who is hysterical or acting irrationally out of anger is almost impossible.  We can express even intense disappointment in a better way.  If we want to make sure others grasp how important something is, it’s more effective to lower our voices than to raise them.  If we blast those around us with powerful loud voices, they will often step back.  But when our voice is quieter, people will lean in closer to hear what we have to say.  Being heard is important and even if we’re intensely upset we can control our emotions to allow that to happen.

The only way for a baby to express pain, hunger or unhappiness is to scream and cry.  But as we mature, if we want to be happy, we must learn self-control.  As adults, it will never work in our favor to stamp our feet and scream because we are unhappy.  There are no good answers to be found in bad behavior.  We can be in control of our emotions, even when they are intense, and express ourselves in ways that bring people closer and open the doors to the way forward.

Life will surely bring us happy times and difficult, sometimes complicated and extreme problems.  We don’t have to pretend to be happy when things are going wrong but we can control how we respond to every situation in order to bring the best results.  Jumping to hysteria and pushing the panic button every time something goes awry will never take us where we really want to go.  It’s exhausting and keeps us from thinking about our next step.  We have everything we need to understand any situation that comes to us.  If we take time to think instead of react we will find all the answers we need to find our way through.  We are strong and capable, and can live well and effectively.

Today if you’re furious over something and want to lash out at those around you, quiet your thoughts and allow yourself time to think.  You can control your emotions in ways that will bring you happiness and success.  Step back and then step forward.  There isn’t anything you can’t manage and succeed.  You are strong and amazing, and nothing is too difficult for you to overcome.

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Save Me

22 Feb

Human relationships are important to all of us. As we learn to understand others and build connections, we may rely on them for strength, balance, and support. The world is a huge place with millions of strangers, and our close relationships give us an anchor to hold onto as we face each day. It’s good to have strong associations with those close to us and when things go wrong it’s a blessing to have someone who understands us on our side. While we may reach for others in times of need, our lives are always our responsibility. We cannot push our personal issues over onto someone else to solve. Our problems belong to us and we must find our own answers. Nobody can save us from trouble or protect us from sorrow. Trouble and sorrow come to everyone and we must manage them in our own lives. If we feel unsure or weak, we can get support but, in the end, we must find the way forward ourselves. Nobody gets a free pass from struggle. How we manage our struggles defines who we are. If we lean on others and whine, refusing to face our challenges, we will never learn to be strong. If we give up and surrender when things go wrong, we will never reach the goals we desire. We have all the wisdom and strength we need to face anything we must. We can trust in our ability to overcome anything and be confident going forward. Our lives belong to us and what we do with them is our responsibility. There is no challenge too difficult to resolve and we can have the lives we dream about.

Everyone is different. Some people are very confident and bold, and if we’re timid and unsure it may seem their way forward is easier. Problems come to us all and how we manage them often depends on how we perceive their influence over us. If we’re sure they will bring our demise, we may give up and allow them to stop us in our tracks. However, if we remember all the times we’ve overcome adversity and trust ourselves to find the answers, we can move forward with confidence, knowing we will reach a resolution. There isn’t anything we can’t do, and we can find answers for any complication that comes.

In a relay race, when a runner completes their responsibility, they hand the baton to the next person to take over and finish the race. It would be great when we have serious troubles if we could do some of the work and then hand the problem off to someone else to solve. Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way, and our responsibility does not end until the issue is resolved. If the problem is serious and involves many complications, it may take time to find the answers. The answers will always be there and we have everything we need to uncover them. There is nothing we can’t overcome and we are strong enough, and wise enough, to do anything.

Today, if you’re facing a difficult issue and want badly to hand it off to someone else, hold fast and move forward. You have everything you need to find the solution. There is nothing too complex or hard for you to overcome. Be confident and move forward. You will find the way ahead and reach success.

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Digging In

13 Feb

Nobody is right all the time. We all make mistakes and choices we regret. Sometimes we go the wrong way and have to correct our course, sometimes we go too far and have to back track, and sometimes we just bomb completely and have to start over. It happens. We’re only human and can only know what we know at any given time. When things go wrong and we discover we’ve made a mistake, we can acknowledge the error and then do what is needed to correct it. But there may be times when although we know we’re wrong, refuse to accept it and dig in, pushing forward defending a position that will not work. Maybe we’re embarrassed or prideful, or think if we keep going the wrong way somehow, magically it will turn into the right way. Whatever our reasons, if we continue moving ahead on the wrong road we will never find success. It’s hard to face any kind of failure but looking at it completely, and determining to correct what is needed is the best way forward. We are always in control of our lives and can change focus at any time. As soon as we see we’re going the wrong way we can turn in a new direction. The world is filled with endless possibilities. Limiting ourselves to only one road and holding fast to it  headed somewhere we don’t want to go, will only bring us sorrow. We can let go of pride and control, and change our lives. Everything is possible if we’re willing to be flexible. Happiness is always there and we can reach it.

Traditions are powerful motivators. If we’re doing something that has been done the same way for a long time we may hold onto it even if it’s not working. We may believe if we stay the course a little longer it will correct itself and we’ll find success. That might happen but if something truly isn’t working, it’s better to step back and find a different option. Things change and what worked in the past may not be feasible anymore. Being open to trying something new or opening a different door may be all that’s needed to take us forward. We have everything necessary to succeed, and embracing all possibilities will help us get there.

Confidence is a great attribute that will carry us through many complicated and difficult times. If we’re confident in our ability to overcome trials we have greater strength moving forward. But confidence in the midst of continual setbacks may keep us from finding new solutions that will take us where we want to go. We can be confident and still humble enough to recognize when things aren’t working and modify our plans. Every option is available and there are endless choices to make. We can change direction when necessary and create a new plan to move us forward. We are capable of great success, and being willing to be flexible will help us achieve it.

Today if you’ve been stalled despite your efforts to push forward, look at all the options available and find the road that will move you ahead. Modify your plans to find success and start again. All the answers are there for you, and you will find them. Redirect your course and you’ll reach your goal. Be open and see everything clearly. Nothing will keep you from the prize.

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Playing Chicken

23 Jan

Everyone is different, and goals and dreams vary from person to person.  What’s important to one is useless to another, what is desired by one is cast off by another, and so on.  While we may often be successful in managing those differences there will likely be times when we clash with someone else and conflict arise.  If neither side is willing to bend we may decide to play chicken and push our way forward, daring the other person to blink.  It’s good to know what we want and how to get it, but in times of conflict, pushing forward in direct opposition to someone else may not always be our best option.  Determining not to bend may escalate the conflict and before we know it the situation may spiral out of control to a place nobody wanted to go.  Being open to other opinions and listening intently to other viewpoints will help us understand opposing views more clearly.  Once we see things from both sides we may more easily find a compromise that is acceptable to everyone that allows us to move forward.  There is no one right way to do anything.  There are always several options in any scenario and if we’re open to seeing them, the way forward will be easier to find.  Playing chicken will never open the door to increased understanding or acceptance.  It will only prove we know what we want and don’t care about other ideas.  We are capable of being open and willing to hear all viewpoints.  Once everyone knows the whole story from all perspectives, finding an acceptable way forward will be possible.

It’s good to be confident about our lives and decisions, but if we allow our confidence to become superior to those around us it may turn into arrogance.  The difference between solid confidence and arrogance is the conviction that not only can we accomplish what we want to do, our ideas are better than anyone else’s.  Arrogance closes doors before us and other options available.  We can be open to new ideas and outcomes and still be confident in our ability to succeed.  New ideas will bring us fresh perspective and help us find success more easily.

We can always live our lives any way we choose.  We don’t need permission to decide what we want.  If there is dissent, we can be patient and listen to opposing views, and then make whatever decision works best for us.  There need not be tension and stress because we disagree.  We can be gracious and kind, thank others for their input and then choose the best option going forward.  Disagreement need not always turn into a fight.  We can be open and polite, and then make our decisions.

Today if there’s something you really want to do and someone is standing in your way, give them time to express their opinion and listen carefully.  Discuss your views and then decide the best way forward.  There is more than one way to do anything.  The best options are there for you.  Be open and wise.  You will find the best way forward.

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Driving the Train

19 Jan

Every decision we make determines where we’ll go and what we’ll do.  There will always be outside influences and there may be times we feel pressure to do things a certain way, but ultimately our lives belong to us and we can live them any way we like.  Our happiness is our responsibility.  If we aren’t happy where we are, it’s our responsibility to do what is needed to change the situation.  We can complain about our lives, bemoan our current situation, and blame anything and everything for our dissatisfaction, but the truth is we are the ones driving the train.  If we’re in a situation we don’t want, we can change it.  If we’re in a relationship that isn’t working, we can leave it.  Making excuses for why we remain unhappy will never bring us lasting comfort or improve our position.  We can sit and imagine how our lives could be or we can do what is needed to change things.  Change can be intimidating and isn’t always easy.  It takes focus and determination but we certainly have everything we need to be successful.  We are important and our personal desires are important.  We deserve complete and fulfilling happiness.  It’s available to us if we are willing to do what is needed to find it.  We know ourselves and we know what we really want and where we want to go.  We can decide to do what is needed to create the lives we want and find happiness.  We don’t have to wait for things to improve.   We can move forward today and reach any destination we desire.

Some people believe in fate.  They may think it doesn’t matter what they do, they are predestined to have a certain kind of life and experience.  Using that as an excuse to cover unhappiness is illogical.  We have the right to choose anything and everything we do.  We can go anywhere and do anything.  There is nothing strong enough to hold us in place once we decide we want to move.  All our dreams are possible and we need not stay anywhere we don’t want.  Nothing is out of reach and we can achieve any goal and reach any objective we desire.  We are in control and can create the lives we want the most.

Fear of the unknown may be a factor when we want to do something new.  Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring and when we’re pushing forward on a new path there is no way to anticipate all the complications that may come.  The first road we try may not work out and we may need to change direction and try again.  We get unlimited chances to find our way and no matter what we face we have everything we need to continue forward.  Life is a great blessing.  All options are available.  Happiness is there for us and we can reach further to find it.

Today if you feel unhappy and unfulfilled in your life, decide where you want to go and chart a new course going forward.  Let go of the things that are holding you back and break free of anything keeping you from your dreams.  You deserve everything you desire.  Choose your destination and start moving toward it.  Everything is there for you.  Complete happiness is possible and it will be yours.

 

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