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Pinhole

30 May

Being able to see what’s around us is helpful when we’re moving forward. If we have a clear view not only of what lies ahead but of what’s going on near us we have a better chance of navigating complications more effectively. Seeing things as they develop gives us more information and opens options for us as we move ahead. But sometimes, like peering through a pinhole, we only see a direct line forward and not activity that may be happening beside us. Tunnel vision can happen if we are so focused on our goal we negate the value of being involved in anything but our movement forward. Ambition is great when we’re striving to reach a destination but if we only focus on the way ahead and are unaware of what’s around us we may complicate our lives in ways that will stop our progress altogether. No matter what we’re doing or where we’re headed there are many facets of our lives that need attention. If we focus on only one objective and neglect other areas we may experience turmoil and frustration. Life is complex and there are always many things going on that need our attention. If we ignore everything but the road ahead we may make some progress but the things left undone will remain until we return to address them.

There is no way to hold back time. It continues relentlessly whether we are ready or not. The best we can do is try to prepare as we move forward so as time passes we can manage the challenges that come to us. When our lives are busy and we have many pressing details to address we may wish for a pause button to take a breather but there is no way to stop life from moving forward. However, if we need time to see things more openly, and want to step back for a moment we can. We can stand still and take the opportunity to clearly view what’s going on around us and evaluate how we want to proceed. Time will continue but we can stop until we feel ready to start again. We are always in control of what we do. Taking a break may bring us refreshment and new perspectives that will help us moving forward.

Embracing a wide view helps us understand how our lives work and how we fit into the world. It’s easy to restrict our vision to only what we’re currently doing and our personal connections, but when we do we might miss subtle cues that may help us going forward. There may be someone near us with a suggestion that will get us to our goal more effectively. There may be an easier road just to the right of the one we’ve been traveling. If we open our sites a bit wider than just the way ahead we gain the benefit of every influence around us and the information they offer. All the answers we need are available to us. We need only open our eyes and see them.

Today if you’ve been focused on pushing forward and kept your eyes firmly planted on the road ahead, take a moment to look around and see everything available to you. There are answers all around you waiting to be discovered. The whole world is there for you. Be open and take it all in. There is great success ahead and seeing everything will help you find it.

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Mirage

19 May

We all have things we want to accomplish, dreams we want to pursue and goals we want to achieve.  We can plan for them and work toward them until we succeed and sometimes when we get to the destination everything is exactly like we thought it would be.  Other times we may arrive and discover the goal we were after isn’t exactly what we expected.  Like a mirage in the desert something may look good from a distance but upon closer inspection is a bit different.  If we’ve worked hard for a long time to achieve the goal and then discover it isn’t what we want after all we may be disappointed or feel we’ve been cheated.  We can’t know everything from the beginning but if we pay attention as we move along there are often clues that will give us more information about the road we’re on.  If we simply storm ahead sure of ourselves, we may find in the end we’ve reached a destination that isn’t anything like what we want.  Everything we do changes us in some way and as we’re moving forward our lives are evolving and we may find what we sought at the beginning isn’t what we want now.  We can turn our course and change direction any time we’re ready.  There are countless roads that lead to happiness.  Which one we choose depends on where we want to go and what we want to become.  The whole world belongs to those who take it.  We can do anything and go anywhere. If we’ve reached a place that doesn’t fit we can turn our course and begin again.

Few things in life are permanent and unchangeable.  Most ideas and decisions can be changed and modified if needed.  If we are open and honest with ourselves and clearly see what isn’t working we can modify our plans to find happiness.  If we aren’t happy we need not stay in any situation and if we don’t feel fulfilled and content we may change whatever is needed to correct our course.  We may leave a relationship, a job, move to a different location or open a new door.  Whatever is needed to find joy in our lives is available to us and we have enough courage and wisdom to move forward to get it.

Some situations are very alluring and captivating.  Like a mirage in the distance they call to us and we may be consumed with attaining them.  We can make all our dreams come true but first we must be sure that what we’re seeing is exactly what we want.  Do we really want what’s at the end of that road?  Are we sure we are willing to do what is needed to achieve it?  Being clear on what is required to move forward and then making our decision will enable us to find success.  We can take the time we need to make the best decisions for our future and then plan our way forward. We can be wise and careful and find the happiness we seek.

Today if you’ve been working hard to reach a goal but aren’t sure it’s exactly what you’re seeking, take a moment to think before you proceed.  See all your options clearly and choose the road that’s best going forward.  You know what you want and are wise enough to make excellent choices.  Happiness is there for you.  Look for it, plan for it and then begin forward to achieve it.

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Cloning

18 May

We’re all different and have been blessed with specific gifts and talents unique to us alone. Nobody is exactly like anyone else and we all have our own role to play in life. Although most people understand this there may be times when someone near us expects us to be like them. They may believe their choices are better than ours, their understanding is deeper or that they know more about what we need than we do. They may be family members who adhere to traditional patterns and want us to do the same, or friends who believe they are smarter or wiser than we are, or they may be someone in authority over us who feels responsibility for our choices. There are limitless ways we may be influenced to change something in our lives or to mimic a certain behavior. If the pressure is pervasive and constant we may surrender out of shear fatigue. We can go along with someone else’s idea about how we should be for a time but eventually who we really are will rise and we will have to choose. True happiness will never come to us if we are trying to be something we aren’t. It’s important to be honest with ourselves and authentic in our behaviors. We each have special gifts to offer the world only we can give. We can honor our uniqueness despite pressures around us and choose to be completely who we really are. When we do, the world is blessed and we find happiness.

A clone is an exact replica of something else. It’s a copy of something that already exists. Clones are not unique or different in any way and respond and act exactly like the original item. While others may not say they expect us to be their clones, there may be times when we are asked to do things exactly their way even when we want to do something else. If there is enough pressure or the consequences of going our own way are difficult we may acquiesce. Becoming a copy of someone else will never bring us happiness, even if the other person is happy. We must be genuinely who we are to find it and who we are is perfect for our lives. Our gifts belong to us alone. Only we can express them and find the joy they will bring.

Some people believe they have insight and understanding about what others need and continually offer their advice and comments. We can hear and accept other views and decisions, and we may certainly give them all the respect they deserve. But in the end our lives belong to us and what we do relies solely on our personal choices. We may listen to the advice and counsel we are offered and then do what we feel is best. Nobody knows us better than we know ourselves and we can choose our own way confident we will find success.

Today if you feel pressure to conform to someone else’s idea of what you should be doing, remember you have everything you need to choose for yourself. You know what you want and you have all the wisdom and power to accomplish anything you desire. Be yourself and be true to the uniqueness you offer. We need your influence and your special gifts. You are a great blessing to the world.

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Resolve

15 May

We make millions of decisions as we go through our lives.  When we have a big decision to make we may take our time to consider all the parameters of what will happen when we choose and give ourselves lots of space to think about which way we want to go.  We can take all the time we need, but sometimes as we’re moving along suddenly we know what we want to do.  We’ve passed a turning point and are suddenly and completely sure and firmly resolved on the way forward.  We may not know what turned the tide that brought the decision, we may not be aware of what happened or didn’t happen that decided the way forward but we are sure and unshakable in our conviction.  Suddenly the task is done and we are confident of where we want to go and what we want to do.  When that happens all our doubts fade quickly away and the road ahead becomes clear.  It’s very rewarding when we are sure of ourselves.  Others may still have concerns but if we’re confident they will mean nothing.  We know clearly what we want to do, we know with assurance where we want to go and nothing can change our minds.  Once the decision is made all that remains is to move forward toward the destination.

There are many roads and countless directions in our lives.  Some will say go one way, others will say go another.  There are influences and pressures on us all the time from those who care about us, those who want us to succeed and others who may want something else.  Like static on a radio the noise can be constant and distracting.  When we need to decide something important that static may get louder as others give us their opinions and advice, requested or volunteered.  We may become overwhelmed with all the information offered and get stuck trying to find the right way through.  If we take a step back and close the door for a time, if we allow ourselves to be quiet and listen to our own personal thoughts, all the inspiration and clarity we need will rise.  We already know what we want to do.  If we take a moment to let our minds rest the confidence we are seeking will come.

We are very intelligent and insightful about what we really want and need.  We know ourselves better than anyone else ever could.  We know where we want to go and we know what we need to get there.  Trusting our personal direction and judgment and allowing ourselves time to think and consider our options will allow us to choose the right road going forward.  We can suddenly be sure even if we’ve been confused for a time.  We can suddenly be confident even if we’ve been tremulous.  We have everything we need to succeed already.  Trusting our excellent ability to make good choices and then doing what is needed to make the destination come to us will bring us all the success we seek.

Today if you’ve suddenly decided you know the way forward and you are sure even if others doubt, trust in yourself.  You have everything you need to succeed.  Be confident.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  You know what you want, you know what you need and you know where you want to go.

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No Eraser

2 May

“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.”  John W. Gardner

Everything in our lives is continually changing. The situations we face today will be different than what we’ll face tomorrow. Some days are easy and full of fun, and other days are more complicated and try our patience. We can’t control most of what comes to us, but we always have control over how we react and what we do. We can do anything we like but once we’ve done it, it becomes a permanent part of our lives. There is no way to go backward and change something in our history whether it happened years or moments ago. Everything we do will be there forever. There is no re-do option, there is no way to rewind, and there is no eraser. Knowing that, the best we can do is think about our choices before we make them so we make the best decisions possible. If we react quickly to a situation without thinking we may create more complications and problems. Instead of simply reacting and jumping to an answer we can choose to step back for a moment and find a way forward that will bring true resolution. No matter what we do our choice will stay with us from that point forward. We always have the opportunity to change our direction if we’ve chosen the wrong path and to amend our decisions if we’ve chosen what doesn’t work. What’s done is done and will remain but we can modify our way forward and re-direct our course.

If we’ve made bad decisions in the past and have been continually reminded of them, we may believe we won’t ever be able to move forward. Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes those mistakes have far reaching consequences. When that happens, we may struggle trying to untangle what we’ve created and our confidence may suffer. If we’ve made a mess, we can clean it up. If we’ve chosen badly, we can choose another way. Although we can’t change the past, the future is wide open and ready for any decisions we desire. Nothing can stop us from being successful and finding the right road going forward.

Guilt and shame are heavy burdens to carry. They grow heavier if we’ve negatively impacted not only our lives, but the lives of those around us. When we feel bad about choices we’ve made, when we’ve hurt ourselves and those around us, we may believe we will never be able to fix the mess we’ve created. But life is fluid and every day brings the opportunity for change. There isn’t any problem too difficult for us to solve and we can find the right road when we’re ready. Success is always there for us and we can find it.

Today if you’re dealing with complications from a decision you’ve made and aren’t sure how to go forward, take your time and think about what you really want. What’s done is done and if you need to re-route your way forward you can. There are lots of roads available to you. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Decide what you want most and plan your way forward. You have everything you need to be successful.

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