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House of Mirrors

18 Oct

We’re all different and our experiences as we go through our lives make us into the people we become.  Most of us learn from things that go wrong and adjust our lives to prevent making the same mistakes going forward.  But some people have trouble discerning the mistakes they make.  It’s hard for them to understand how their actions connect to what happens to them.  It’s not our place to judge what anyone else does but if we have people like this in our lives, we may be affected.  It’s hard to have a relationship with someone who continually makes choices that bring heartache and trouble.  We may find ourselves continually adjusting to the next disaster and trying to find a way around it.  Although we are only responsible for the decisions we make, we may be seriously impacted by those made by others close to us.  Like paint, they can smear their dysfunction all over our lives and before we know it we may get caught up in their problems in ways that are not helpful.  If we remember we are individuals and have complete ownership over our own decisions, we can stand beside someone who struggles and be supportive without becoming part of the issue.  We can be friends without getting caught up in turmoil and confusion.  Learning to stand beside someone and still stand apart will help us navigate through any difficult relationships we have.  Life isn’t always easy but we have everything we need to find the right road going forward that will bring us comfort and peace.

We don’t know what we don’t know.  Sometimes we may begin a relationship with someone that seems positive and satisfying.  We connect with them, we think we understand them and they seem to understand us.  It’s great to make connections with others that make us feel good and brighten our lives.  But sometimes people hide their true selves and it takes time for their real behaviors to shine through.  When things change, if the turn is dramatic enough, we may feel we’ve entered a house of mirrors.  Nothing is as we thought and we aren’t sure what to do next.  We are always in control of our lives and never have to stay in any situation that is uncomfortable.  We can make a turn and change our lives at any time.

We may get into situations where the people we’re associating with begin to make decisions we aren’t comfortable with.  They are choosing to continue toward a goal we don’t want or their methods are ideas we don’t agree with.  We always have the power to change any relationships in our lives.  We aren’t assigned to others and can move in a new direction away from those near us at any time.  Our lives are ours to design and we can decide how we will proceed.  We can be confident when we make choices that take us where we want to go and courageously continue forward toward success.

Today if you’re in a relationship that isn’t working or have been caught up in a situation that is moving you toward a destination you don’t want, take control.  You know where you want to go and have everything you need to get there.  You don’t have to stay in any situation that isn’t comfortable.  Change direction and move forward toward success.  You can do anything you desire and every option is possible.

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Living Well

30 Jul

We all live in ways that are unique to our personal desires and goals.  We make our own decisions and the lives we end up with are the lives we choose.  Some people are very successful and inventive, and do things that impact the world or change the way it works.  Some discover cures for diseases, or create things that alter the way we live, or serve in grand ways that embellish thousands and change the world for the better.  It’s amazing and wonderful to have such greatness among us, but we don’t have to do incredible or grandiose things to live well.  The world is blessed by things that amplify goodness and make it work more easily but we also bless it when we choose well in small ways.  By being kind, serving others, and showing charity to those around us, we change the world for the better and augment the environment around us.  We have far more influence over those we interact with than we may realize.  When we reach out to comfort sadness, or extend our hands to help lift a heavy burden, when we listen with compassion or offer a kind word when someone is down, we change the world for the better.  Like ripples in the water after a pebble is tossed in, our influence can move forward indefinitely.  When we choose well we bring glory to the world around us.  That glory brings light into darkness and joy where sorrow once prevailed.  We have the power to change the world.  By choosing well, and living in ways that serve not just ourselves but those around us we turn everything toward light and bring joy and comfort.  We are powerful and good, and our choices reflect who we most want to be.

No life is perfect and there will be days when clouds roll in and the skies of trouble darken.  We may face serious trials and difficult challenges as we push forward and there may be times when we feel doubt and fear over what will happen next.  Misery may overwhelm us and we may be uncertain about how to proceed.  When we’re struggling we can allow others to reach out to us and offer help and support.  We don’t have to do everything alone.  Allowing others to comfort us will bring light and lift us as we continue forward.  Letting others help us when we are overcome helps us live well.  When things settle again and we’re back on a more even keel we can reach out to others and share the gift we received.

The world is filled with billions of people but we are all important and valuable.  Reaching out in kindness, even in small ways, can change everything for someone who is struggling.  Cheering a crying child, helping lift a grocery sack, opening a door, or simply listening when others speak are simple and effective ways to serve.  We can turn sadness into peace, sorrow into comfort and grief into hope.  We are more powerful and influential than we realize.  The whole world is blessed because we are here and we can share that blessing every day.

Today if you feel like your life is small and inconsequential and don’t think you’re important, remember your influence is greater than you know.  You are amazing and powerful and we all want to share our lives with you.  The whole world is better because you are here.  Be joyful.  Your light brings happiness to us all.

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Changing the World

20 Jul

Everyone is different and there are endless interpretations to everything we do, see, and experience. We all have our own ideas about how things should be and what is right. If we feel strongly about something and someone disagrees it may be difficult to accept their viewpoint and opinions. In an effort to convert them to our side we may speak loudly and forcefully trying to make them listen. If they don’t follow along and we’re angry, we may belittle them, criticize them, call them names or insinuate they are too stupid to see what to us is the correct point of view. There is nothing noble in demeaning others for any reason and nothing can be gained by diminishing their value. Being disrespectful and rude doesn’t elevate anyone and reduces us. We’re entitled to our own ideas and opinions but it’s inappropriate and destructive to demand that others agree with them. Each of us is unique and our decisions are ours to make. To punish those who disagree with us will never bring us happiness but will only increase suffering and disharmony, and ruin relationships. The only way to effectively influence others is through patience, kindness, inclusion and acceptance. We have the power to change the world but only by setting the example for love and charity will we prevail. Nothing is more powerful than a loving and understanding attitude. When we are accepting and kind people will be drawn to us and we can share our lives with them.

Opinions vary and we can respect the right of everyone to believe what they choose and live their lives according to their own values and desires. It may be hard for us to understand their viewpoint but we don’t have to understand everything to be accepting. We can be respectful and kind and if we disagree we may share our opinions and ideas. We’re all different and when we clash there may be conflict. We have the power to diffuse any tension through kindness and a welcoming attitude. Being patient when there is disagreement and listening openly to every idea will pave the way to friendship and inclusion.

It’s impossible to push people into agreeing with us. Everyone has their own ideas and can live their lives any way they choose. We can express what we believe and exhibit how our beliefs are beneficial. We can lead by example and display goodness and nobility, and with patience and love bring others close. There is greatness in us and by showing it to the world through kindness and charity, especially in conflict, we will prevail.

Today if you’ve been pressuring others to listen to you and trying to get them to accept your viewpoint, remember gentleness and kindness will open the doors. Be patient and loving and accept other opinions. Express your respect and love to those around you and they will draw close to you and feel your influence. Acceptance will give you power and charity will bring you success. You have the power to change the world. Be the best you can be and set the example for good.

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False Start

13 Jul

There are times in everyone’s life when we desire a change.  Maybe we want a new location, a new job, a new situation or just a new attitude.  We always have the power to change anything at any time but all changes require discipline and determination.  We can’t just wish for something to be different and expect it to happen.  If we really want the change we must make a plan and work to move toward the goal.  If what we’re seeking requires us to alter patterns in our lives that we’ve held for a while, it may be difficult at first to adapt to new behavior.  It’s always easy to simply return to what we know and let go of the idea for something new.  If our first attempt at change fails and we really want to achieve the goal we can try again.  There is no limit to the number of times we can try to change anything and a previous false start doesn’t mean we can’t find success.  We can have the lives we want the most but chances are they won’t simply fall into our laps.  Every possibility is available if we’re willing to do what is needed to make it happen.  Dreaming about how our lives could be will never bring them to us.  We must decide what we want, determine what it will take to achieve it, and then begin forward working to accomplish what we must to find success.  If we get distracted and step off the road we can re-route our way back again and continue forward.  It doesn’t matter how long it takes us to reach the goal.  We can move a little closer every day and in time we’ll succeed.  Anything is possible.  Our lives are ours to design and we can create them in ways that bring us complete happiness and satisfaction.

Sometimes we fall into routines we don’t plan on simply because one thing leads to another and before we realize it we are in a position we didn’t expect.  If we don’t control our lives, other situations will.  We can go along for the ride for as long as we like but if we aren’t completely happy where we are we have the power to stop and change direction.  We deserve the lives we want the most and with focus and determination we can achieve them.

We can dream about how our lives would be if everything went our way, and we can hope somehow our dreams will come true.  If all we had to do to reach our goals was think about them we could have anything we wanted at any time.  But this is real life and few things will fall into our laps without effort.  We can have the lives we dream about but we must be willing to work for them.  If we try and fail, we can try again.  There are endless roads before us and with determination we can find the one that will take us to the destination we desire.  Every dream is possible and nothing is out of reach.  We are strong enough and smart enough to achieve anything.

Today if you feel like a failure because you tried to make a change and didn’t succeed, don’t give up.  Failure just means you haven’t yet found the right way forward.  Try again.  The possibilities are endless and you will succeed.  Every dream is possible. You are capable and amazing.  Begin again and you’ll reach the goal.

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Waiting and Hoping

28 Jun

The world is filled with opportunities and we can do anything we want to do. There are endless activities and goals to achieve and if we’re determined we will reach success. There is no end to what we can accomplish and every dream is possible. We can plan and move forward step by step until we reach the destinations we desire. Although anything is possible it’s highly unlikely we’ll achieve our goals by standing around and waiting for them to appear. Coasting along and simply hoping what we really want will present itself will never work. While it’s true that sometimes things fall into our laps with little effort, those instances are rare and unusual. We can’t expect the world or those around us to give us what we want simply because we desire it. We must work and push our own way forward to get to our goals. Our lives are our responsibility and we own every decision we make. We can wait for things to happen until the end of time and maybe some things will come our way. But if we really want the life we dream about we have to take charge and do what is necessary to make it happen. Sitting around and waiting will only give us exactly what we have right now. If we want something more we have to work for it. It takes effort to change our lives and energy to take us where we want to go but we have sufficient drive and ambition to find success. We know what we want and we can figure out how to get it. We can make a plan, work hard and reach any goal. It’s all up to us but if we apply ourselves and continue to move forward, every destination is possible.

There are no fairy godmothers waiting in the wings to make our dreams come true. There are no magic wands or genies languishing in bottles eager to turn our lives around. If we aren’t where we want to be we can decide on a new road and begin forward in a new direction. Nothing is permanent and if we aren’t happy we can change our circumstances and move toward the lives we want. Nothing is too far to reach and we can do anything we desire. All options are possible and with effort and planning we can make them ours.

Waiting for our lives to change and happiness to arrive is like waiting for snow in July. It’s probably not going to happen but we have complete control over our lives and can do anything we want at any time. If we don’t like where we are, we can move. If we don’t like what we’re doing, we can change. We can have the lives we dream about by taking the steps needed to make them ours. We deserve complete happiness and with determination and persistence we can do anything.

Today if you’re not happy where you are and want a change, take the first step in a new direction. You can go anywhere and do anything. You are stronger and braver than you realize and there isn’t anything you can’t accomplish. Take control and turn your course toward the goals you most desire. Everything is possible. You deserve complete and full happiness. Move forward and make your dreams come true.

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