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Stepping Away

8 Aug

We all determine our own standards and how we’ll live our lives. Some people take a very strict view of ethics, morality and behavior expressions, and others are more fluid depending on the situation. No matter how we’ve chosen to do things, there may come a time when due to circumstances around us or something we desire, we may choose to step away from our own rules. Maybe there is something we really want and getting it will mean doing something unethical or even illegal. Or a friend or loved one may ask us, just this once, to do something questionable so they can get what they want. The temptation may be great to set aside our standards, or look the other way when something untoward is going on. We may think it’s just this once, and we’ll hold fast to our standards again once this issue is resolved. It’s possible to knowingly make a bad choice just once, but if we get away with it and gain the prize we’re seeking, it may be enough encouragement for us to think we can do it again. If we continue to ignore the standards we previously held close, it won’t be long before we’re living a different kind of life. Lying the first time may be hard, but everything gets easier with practice. We are in control of our lives and can do anything we like, but every choice we make defines who we are. Slipping under the radar and cheating to get to the goal may give us immediate gratification, but the cost to our personal integrity will be great. Nothing brings greater trust and good will than complete honesty in all our dealings. We can make excellent choices and determine where we’ll go. Every choice belongs to us, and with careful consideration and wisdom, we will find the best way forward.

Some people have a very loose idea of personal honesty. They believe they are honest enough, even though they slip into the movie theater behind someone else without paying, or lie when they need to get around something they don’t want to do. If we question them on it, they may say we’re “too honest” and let it go. Honesty does not have a sliding scale. We’re either honest or we’re not. Situations and circumstances may make the best choices more difficult but they do not change what is right. We know who we are and what we want. We deserve the very best of everything and by choosing wisely in every instance, we can achieve it.

There are billions of people on the planet and we’re all far more connected than we may realize. People watch us and notice the decisions we make. If we are honest and clear in our interactions, they will trust us. Gaining the trust of others allows us to build strong and valuable connections which can pave the way forward. Nobody wants to deal with someone who is unpredictable and dishonest. Every choice we make shows the world who we are, and if we’re mindful and aware of each decision, our lives will be blessed and we’ll reach every desired destination. 

Today if you’re tempted to do something questionable because it will get you what you want, remember who you are. You have so much to offer and there is greatness in you. Honor your standards and make choices with integrity and wisdom. Pave the road ahead by choosing well, and you will find great happiness. You are amazing and every success is waiting. Step forward with confidence and clarity, and you will reach the prize.

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Horses and Water

13 Jul

There are endless things we can do, unlimited places to go, and no end to experiences we may have. Life is full of surprises and unexpected developments, and even when we try to plan carefully and follow every rule, sometimes everything goes awry. We never know what will happen, and the road we’re on may suddenly, and without warning, simply disappear. There is no destination that has only one possible route to reach it. There will always be another road, another turn, and another way around anything that gets in the way. We have endless opportunities to do whatever we desire, but the lives we want the most won’t magically appear just because we want them, or we’re good people, or our intentions are noble. It’s up to us to start the journey and stay focused until we reach the goal. Nothing is beyond our grasp, but we must do what is needed to make it ours. The old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink,” is a message about life. There will be continual chances to do anything we like, but we must take the opportunities when they arise and do the work to reach the goal. The door may stand open, but we have to walk through it and push forward until we succeed. Every dream is possible if we’re willing to do what is necessary to make it ours. We are amazing and more powerful than we realize, and by clearly defining what we want and then moving toward the goal undaunted, we can have the lives we desire most.

We all have things we want to accomplish, and we may spend lots of time thinking about all the blessings we’ll gain when we win. It’s nice to dream about the things we desire, but until we actually start moving toward the goal, nothing will change. It may be difficult to achieve, but we are strong and capable. It may take a long time, but we can move forward at our own pace. Every destination is possible and by trusting ourselves and courageously stepping forward we will succeed.

Some people continually complain about their lives. They may say they didn’t get the opportunities they wanted, or someone didn’t like them and held them back, or they were born in the wrong place or a million other excuses for why they are so unhappy. Our lives belong to us and nobody is going to pave the road ahead or open all the hard doors that let us progress. If we aren’t happy where we are, we can move.  If we don’t like what we’re doing, we can change. Our destiny is ours to define, and when we’re ready there isn’t anything we can’t do.

Today if there’s something you want to do but haven’t yet started, think about how you want to proceed and take the first step. There is greatness in you and nothing is out of reach. Trust yourself and move forward with confidence. Every destination awaits, every success is possible, and you will make them yours.

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First Response

15 Jun

Human beings are complex creatures. We are intelligent and capable, and have many complicated feelings and emotions. Everyone has their own unique expressions and we all have a first response emotion to the many different situations we face. Maybe the first thing we feel when things go awry is anger, or fear, or maybe our confidence leaves us and we feel vulnerable and unsure. For most of us there is one feeling that consistently pops up whenever we’re stressed. We’re all different so the scope of those emotions is wide but we all know our own specific expression. No matter what our first response is, we don’t have to hold onto it or let it take over. We control our emotions – they don’t control us unless we let them. If we feel afraid when things change we can take a breath and remember how strong and capable we are before we proceed. If we feel anger, we can take a moment to look at everything objectively before we speak. We are intelligent and can decide what works best in each scenario and then proceed to move forward in ways that bring us comfort and success. Our feelings belong to us and we can embrace them without becoming controlled by them. There will always be many ways ahead, and with clarity and temperance, we can find our way to any goal we seek.

Some people lack personal self control. They plow through their lives with abandon, and never consider the consequences of their actions. If someone gets in the way, they just push them aside and continue forward, regardless of the turmoil they cause. It’s very difficult to deal with them because it’s impossible to know what they’ll do next. We all make our own decisions, and we never have to stay in any situation we don’t want. We can step aside and let others go on by, and then continue forward toward our own success.

Just because something feels uncomfortable it doesn’t mean we can’t manage it. Life is all about change, and each new situation will teach us something about ourselves and the world around us. We are highly capable, and can always find the answers needed to do anything we desire. Everything is possible and nothing is out of reach. By trusting ourselves and taking our time, we can accomplish anything we desire. Success is always there for us and with determination and confidence, we will reach it.

Today if your first response to a new situation is keeping you from proceeding, look at everything objectively and believe in yourself. You are stronger and more powerful than you think you are and there isn’t anything you can’t do. Decide how you want to proceed and take the first step. The road ahead awaits and nothing can keep you from success.

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Trouble Backing Up

11 May

We are all in control of our lives and can make any decisions we like. Each choice will take us somewhere and change our circumstance in some way. Sometimes the changes are big and impact us greatly, and other times they hardly make a ripple. Nobody is perfect and at some point we will all make a decision that doesn’t work out. If it causes a lot of disruption and turmoil, it may take some time to straighten everything out and start again. If we’re cocky and confident in who we are and our ability to do well, we may have trouble going back to the beginning when things go wrong. We might try to ignore the problems we’ve created, or push the blame onto someone or something else, or we might openly deny we had anything to do with it. We can do anything we want, but truth is powerful and no matter how far we try to distance ourself from what’s happened, we will eventually be found out. We are accountable for everything we do – even the stuff we don’t want to face. Backing up and returning to the beginning to figure out where we went wrong, and then doing everything needed to correct the situation will enable us to start again and continue toward success. Mistakes happen and when they do they show us what doesn’t work and help us reset our direction. We are intelligent and wise, and there isn’t anything we can’t figure out. When things go wrong, we can turn around and address them with confidence and clarity. Every success is possible, and with determination and focus, we will reach them all.

Some people think they know everything. They may spend a lot of time telling us about all the things they excel at and how smart and capable they are. They may tell us what we should be doing or how we should proceed, even if they don’t have all the facts. It’s good to be confident but we are the only ones who know exactly what we want and how we want to get there. We can listen to any advice that’s offered, and then proceed according to our own desires.

We all want clear, paved roads that lead to our chosen destinations. We may luck out and get them at some point, but most of the time the journey from A to B isn’t exactly an easy, straight line. There may be unforeseen complications, people might stand in our way, and a thousand things may change that complicate our plans. It doesn’t matter how hard the road is or how long it takes to travel. We know what we want, and with persistence and faith, we can accomplish anything. If we have to back up, we can. If we need to change direction, we’ll find the best way ahead. Everything is possible and nothing can keep us from success.

Today if your plans have gone awry and you’ve veered off course, stop and look at all the options around you. Go back to the beginning and change direction. A detour will only delay your success and is never the end of the journey. Trust yourself and be confident. You already have everything you need to do anything you desire. Decide how you want to proceed, and step forward. All your dreams are possible and you will make them yours.

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So Many Butterflies

3 May

Our lives are busy and filled with many things we need to address – tasks, appointments, issues, complications and thousands of distractions. We all have things we want to accomplish and goals we want to achieve. If we have a lot of responsibilities we must attend to, we may need to carefully plan our time to ensure we accomplish what we most want to do. We may have clear intentions of doing one thing or another, but there are endless distractions that may pull us off track. Butterflies are lovely. When they fly near us we may be captivated by their beauty and grace, and for a moment, forget everything else. As we go through our lives, the unlimited distractions around us may be like butterflies coming near. We may push forward, but then see something interesting we didn’t notice before and go check it out. Or we hear something new that intrigues us, or remember something we meant to get done, or see an item that needs to be put away, or a million other things. There will always be dozens of ways to let go of our focus, look at something else and step away from what we want the most. We can do anything we like but we can’t do everything at the same time and expect to move forward. If we want to succeed, we must actually reach the goal. Playing around here and there, looking at this and that, or standing still will never move us forward. There are unlimited interesting things that may capture our attention and if we let them, they may hold us in place indefinitely. We know what we want and already possess everything we need to obtain it. By focusing clearly on the road ahead, and keeping our eyes focused on the goal, we will reach every success. There is greatness in us all, and with persistence and determination, nothing is out of reach.

Everyone has their own ideas about what we should do and how things should go. When we’re working toward a goal, someone may think they have a better plan than the one we’re using and offer their suggestion. We can take any advice we like, but there are a lot of people around us and each one may have a different idea. Constantly changing the way we proceed may keep us from moving forward. By carefully reviewing all the options possible, and trusting ourselves to make the best choice for proceeding ahead, we can step forward with confidence and reach success.

If we want to take a road trip, every map will have many possible options for reaching the destination. If we choose one route and stick to it we’ll get there in less time and with fewer complications than if we change the way forward again and again because another road looks better or more interesting than the one we’re on. By making a plan and then sticking to it we have the best chance of success. We are intelligent and capable, and with clarity and wisdom, can move ahead and reach every destination.

Today if you’re struggling to reach a goal, decide what you want the most and focus on the way forward. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and nothing can keep you from success. You are amazing and powerful, and nothing is too difficult for you to accomplish. Trust yourself and step forward with confidence. Every success is there waiting, and you will make them yours.

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