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Looking Good

2 Aug

These days there is a lot of focus on our external appearance.  Everywhere we look there are ads for products to make us look younger, thinner, more desirable and more beautiful.  Some of us are short, some tall, some heavy, some thin, some old, and some young.  The scope of appearance among us is very broad and diverse.  We can try to look like all the pictures we see of famous, beautiful people and we may succeed but looking good according to the standards set by others may not bring us happiness.  There is great joy to be found in difference and if we all looked the same the scenery would be quite boring and uninspiring.  It’s important to embrace our own personal style and rejoice in our own special appearance.  We are one of a kind.  There has never been and never will be another person exactly like us.  We can love our own personal beauty even if it differs from what those around us think it should be.  When we are happy and content with who we are, when we are striving to be our very best and doing the things we most want to do our external appearance will reflect joy and peace and there is nothing more beautiful.  Finding beauty by looking good on the outside is only part of the story.  It also includes how we feel about ourselves.  We are all beautiful in different ways.  Living our lives purposefully and directing them toward the destinations we most want to achieve will bring us light and happiness that will be reflected in all we do, and will create more beauty than anything else ever could.

Our outward appearance is always affected by what is going on inside us.  If we are struggling with conflict and stress it will be reflected in our appearance.  It’s impossible to hide everything we’re going through and even if we’re great actors, there will likely be a crack in the armor.  Difficult times come to all of us and as we navigate them we may appear to be tense or even angry to those around us.  We will find comfort and respite from the trial if we remind ourselves we can manage anything that comes and will be successful.  We can overcome every challenge and continue to walk forward with confidence.

If we are living unethically or dishonestly we may try to appear to be doing things differently and we may be able to fool those around us for a time.  We may continue to smile and act as though we’re doing things well and it may work for a while but eventually what we’re doing secretly will rise and become apparent through our behavior.  We can’t look our best if we’re living deceptively.  If we want to be our best we must do our best.  We have everything we need to choose wisely and move forward on roads that will bring us true success.  Living honestly and true to our personal values will bring us joy and that will bring us true beauty.

Today if you want to be truly beautiful, make the best choices you can.  Choose to be honest and travel the roads that will bring you joy.  If there is stress and conflict, remember how powerful and capable you are.  There isn’t anything too difficult for you to manage and you will prevail.  You are a great blessing to us all and your true personal beauty is a gift to the world.

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Inch by Inch

25 Jul

Most of us strive to do the best we can every day. We try to make good choices and think before we act but sometimes we may get tangled up and due to confusion or frustration don’t make the best decisions. Life is complicated and there are a lot of things going on all the time. Others around us may be making a lot of noise and impacting us in difficult ways that make it hard to think. We may feel pressed for time or pressured to make a decision before we’re ready or we might be tired of trying to figure things out and simply choose the easiest path going forward. It isn’t always easy to do what’s best and sometimes we may take a turn that doesn’t quite go the way we wanted. One bad decision doesn’t determine our future and we can always correct our course. However, if we allow one bad decision to lead to another and then another the road we end up on may be far from where we want to be. If we embellish the truth one time to make things go more smoothly and then embellish again to support our position, one thing may lead to another and after a time our little adjustments to the truth may create a situation that is complicated and difficult. Inch by inch if we manipulate one small thing here and exaggerate one small thing there we may discover we’re going in the opposite direction we wanted to go. It’s not hard for things to get out of control if we aren’t mindful of the road ahead. We are certainly capable of making excellent decisions and can always choose the course we want the most. It’s far easier to make difficult decisions that keep us on track than it is to clean up a convoluted mess. We can decide not to waver when it’s hard to stay true and to take the time we need to make the best choices going forward.

Some people think honesty is fluid and flexible. When difficult situations arise, they may simply make up stories to explain them in an effort to pave the way forward. If they are caught in a lie, they may say they misunderstood and try to smooth things over. We can lie about what’s happening and manipulate every situation we choose but truth cannot be held down indefinitely and will always rise. There is no sliding scale for honesty. Every action we take will reveal the person we truly are. If we want to be noble and true we must hold fast to what is real and live our lives honestly no matter how difficult that may be.

If we find we’ve manipulated a situation out of duress or frustration and don’t want to continue to be dishonest, we can go back and correct our decision. If we see we’ve chosen poorly we can begin again. Others will respect us when we admit our mistake and redirect the way forward. There isn’t anything too complicated for us to figure out and no matter what road we’re on now, if adjustments are needed we can make them.

Today if you realize you’re headed down the wrong road because of decisions you’ve made, correct your way going forward. You know where you want to go and what you want to do. Choose the best path ahead and begin again. Be completely honest and choose wisely. Every goal is there for you and you will be successful. Be wise and you will reach any destination you choose.

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Filling the Tank

21 Jul

There are a lot of demands on our time and energy.  There may be a constant need to complete tasks that are sometimes pressing and urgent and we take care of things as they come.  If we keep up a steady pace and stay busy we will accomplish many things but as we move forward every activity may drain us a little and after a time we may feel exhausted and unmotivated.  When we’re driving our cars we’re well aware that when the gas needle starts pointing to empty we need to fill the tank or we’ll be going nowhere.  The same is true for our personal lives.  We sometimes forget that we don’t have unlimited energy or resources from which to draw as we move along.  We can give a lot but at some point the tank will creep close to empty and it will be time to fill the tank.  It’s impossible to give our best when we’ve been tapped out.  When we start to feel sluggish and our passion has waned it may be a sign it’s time to refuel.  Nobody has endless energy and we all face times when we’ll need to recharge.  It’s not hard to refill the tank when we’ve lost our power.  If we engage in activities we enjoy the most our spirits will rise and we’ll feel renewed energy.  If we like being outdoors, a short walk may lift us.  Or we could turn on our favorite music and take some personal dance time.  A break with good friends and time enjoying their company may refresh us.  It doesn’t matter what we choose to restore so long as we take the time to do it.  We have so much to offer and can be a positive influence on the world around us but if we want to make an impact we need to be sure we’ve filled the tank and are ready to go.

The demands to do more and accomplish more seem to press on us every day.  If we are asked to do more than we can, we may modify the request so we can be successful.  Others may do things differently, they may be faster or reach higher than we are comfortable.  Although it’s good to reach beyond our grasp if we want to find success we must also acknowledge our personal limitations.  Maybe we can’t get it done as fast as someone else but it will be done perfectly.  We can do an excellent job at any task and still be sure we’re doing it in ways that are best for us.

Stretching our capabilities gives us greater skill and confidence as we move forward.  We can embrace new ideas and projects and as we do we’ll learn more and move further down the road we’re traveling.  We can be as involved as we choose and each opportunity will open new doors for us.  We have everything we need to do anything we like and if we’re mindful of our personal needs we will find great success.  We know what’s best for us and how to manage our lives.  When we take the time we need to care for ourselves nothing will stop us.

Today if you’ve been pushing yourself constantly doing many things and accomplishing much, remember to take some time to nurture yourself.  You are a great gift to the world and we all want to share time with you.  Make sure you recharge and restore your energy when you need to.  You have so much to offer and we’re all blessed you’re here.

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The Last Step

14 Jul

We make millions of decisions as we go through our lives.  Some of them are obvious and we know the answer right away and others are more obscure and require some thought.  There are limitless choices going forward no matter where we are.  If we don’t know where we want to go, any road will do but if we have a destination in mind we will need to carefully consider our choices.  Since we can’t read the future and can’t always see the end of the road, the best we can do is review all the information we have and make the best choice possible.  There is an undeniable truth in life that when we choose the first step on a path we also choose the last.  If we don’t know where the path is going we may end up somewhere we don’t want to be.  It’s important to weigh our choices carefully, especially when the results of those choices may have lasting consequences.  If we jump and decide on something out of convenience or speed we may make decisions that take us to destinations we don’t desire or that bring us trouble and complication.  Every road has an end.  We can carefully consider all the choices before us and get all the information we need to make sure that end is what we desire.  If we are careless and haphazard in our decisions they may be filled with confusion and disarray.  It takes valuable time to clean up after a bad choice and until we correct our course we can’t continue forward.  We can evaluate our decisions before we make them and find the best way ahead.  We deserve every happiness and success.  We can ensure our success by choosing carefully and making decisions that take us exactly where we want to go.

Speed is important when we’re in a race.  If we want to win a timed competition we need to be as quick as possible.  But speed isn’t always an asset when making choices about our lives.  Although there may be times when we must make decisions quickly, often there is no timetable involved.  We don’t need to rush and we can take the time needed to see all the options before us and understand where they will take us.  Once we are clear on the best way forward we can begin and if complications arise we can manage them and continue.

Sometimes there are many good options for a decision and it doesn’t matter which we choose.  If that’s the case we may choose any path we like and simply begin.  There will always be adjustments and modifications along the way and if we’ve chosen well those alterations will be manageable.  If we make the best decisions starting out our path will be easier and we’ll be more effective in reaching the goal.  Our lives are ours and we can be as successful as we choose to be.  Taking time to choose well before we begin our journey will enable us to successfully reach any destination.

Today if you’ve got a big decision to make and aren’t sure which way to go, evaluate all the options before you and weigh them carefully.  You will find the best road to travel to end up where you want to be.  There isn’t anything you can’t do and every success you seek is possible.  Move forward with confidence.  You have everything you need to succeed.

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Worth the Time

12 Jul

There are ups and downs in everyone’s life.  There are unexpected developments we can’t prevent and sometimes others do things that complicate our situation or cause us distress.  When someone hurts us or causes us problems we may be angry and decide to give the same behavior right back to them.  After all, they negatively impacted our lives and we might think it’s only fair we return the favor.  We can do anything and there are limitless ways we can get back at others for things they’ve done.  But is it worth our time?  Each day is a blessing and we don’t have unlimited time to live our lives.  If we use the time we have doing things out of spite or revenge we miss the chance to do something of value.  Each minute will pass no matter what we choose.  We can use them to build up our lives and love those around us, or we can get down in the dirt and get even.  When we get to the end of our lives and review our most precious moments it’s doubtful we’ll treasure the times we wasted on retribution.  Our time is the most valuable asset we possess.  If we use it to continually move forward, care for ourselves and deepen our love for those around us we will find great joy in our experiences.  We cannot control the choices of others but we can control how we respond to them.  We can choose to value ourselves and our time as precious and refuse to give it up for things that are meaningless.  We are priceless and unique and deserve every happiness.  Making the best choices with our time will help us find the joy and peace we seek and bring us every success we desire.

Some people see life as a big scorecard.  If something good happens to them they get points in the positive column and if something goes wrong the points go into the negative.  Scorecards are great for sports and games but not so effective in our lives.  We cannot control what each day will bring and there may be times when we face challenges that bring us down.  But everything always changes and no matter what is happening or who is involved it’s not permanent.  Problems and hard times aren’t always negative experiences.  There is always something to be learned and gained as we navigate them and sometimes the hardest moments of all teach us everything we need to go forward successfully.

It hurts when we’re treated badly and it isn’t fair when others are inconsiderate, rude or mean to us.  If we remember the responsibility and accountability for bad behavior belongs to those who exhibit it and not those who receive it we will have a better understanding of the best way forward.  We can always choose to do what’s right no matter what those around us are doing.  Our lives are ours to design and we can make decisions that will bring us every blessing.

Today if you’ve been treated badly and are pondering revenge, remember how precious your time is.  You have so much good to offer and are a blessing to the world.  Choose the path that takes you where you want to go to become the person you most want to be.  You deserve every happiness and success.  Your excellent choices will bring them to you.

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