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Best Friend

1 May

Most of us are probably pretty good friends.  We’re supportive when others need help, we listen when they are concerned, and we try to be there when they need us.  It’s good to be a faithful friend and we all need them in our lives from time to time.  Sometimes we are better friends to others than we are to ourselves.  If we don’t do something well we may criticize our actions and disparage our decisions.  Our reactions to our shortcomings may be far more condemning than we would ever offer someone else.  When others come to us with concern over a wrong move we might be supportive and positive and offer them encouragement.  However, sometimes when we see the same situation in ourselves we are far more abrasive and critical.  We can decide to be as good a friend to ourselves as we are to others.  We can give our choices the same understanding and patience we offer so freely to those around us.  If we become our very best friend and learn to rely on our own personal support, our challenges will become easier and when we falter we’ll feel better knowing we are always in our corner.  We deserve to be treated with kindness and encouragement and we can offer it to ourselves.  Loving ourselves with the same measure of patience and compassion we give others will bring us peace in struggle and comfort in disappointment.  We are worth the very best of everything.  Remembering how precious we are and valuing our self-worth will help us achieve greatness and find success.

Nobody is good at everything or does everything right every time.  We all stumble from time to time and learn as we move along.  Opening new doors brings new experiences and sometimes we have to backtrack or turn in another direction to find the way forward.  We can succeed at anything but the road forward isn’t always straight and paved.  We may stumble along the way, but as we continue we learn what works and find the way forward.  No matter how many times we get lost we can find our way again.  It doesn’t matter if we go the wrong way.  What matters is that we continue the journey until we succeed.

Some things come easily to us and other things are hard to comprehend.  If we’re having trouble understanding we can take the time we need and get the help necessary to get the job done.  No matter how difficult the issue we can find our way through.  We have all the wisdom and determination we need to accomplish anything we desire.  When we stumble we can get back up.  When we take a wrong turn we can choose another way forward.  We can trust in our ability to succeed and we have enough courage to face whatever comes.

Today if you’ve been punishing yourself for a mistake you’ve made or belittling your judgment for a wrong turn, decide to be your best friend.  Treat yourself with the kindness you offer others.  You are precious and valuable.  There is greatness ahead for you.  Remember how important you are.  Trust in your wisdom and you will find the way forward.

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Counterfeit

26 Apr

Made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive.  Bing

When we want or need to purchase something, we seek out the best options available.  We don’t want something that looks like what we need but turns out to be something else entirely.  If it looks like the genuine article but when we try it we discover it’s a counterfeit version we will have to try again.  We may be deceived by appearance but true authenticity will show itself over time.  Although we may not intentionally deceive others, sometimes we may deceive ourselves into believing things are different than they really are.  We may create counterfeit emotions or pretend our lives are one way when actually they are another way entirely.  If we’re in a relationship that isn’t making us happy but we’ve been involved for a long time or there are outside pressures to keep it going we may convince ourselves we are fine.  If we’re in a job that is unsatisfying but others think it’s perfect for us we may choose to go along and pretend we are content.  True happiness can only come if we are completely honest with ourselves.  If we play the counterfeit game we may get by for a time, but real happiness will elude us.  We deserve to be completely happy and we can change our lives any time we’re ready and start a new path.  We can face reality as it is and decide to do what is needed to be happy.  Our happiness is our responsibility and we have everything we need to achieve it.

When hard decisions are upon us we may refuse to acknowledge them and brush them off quickly, hoping they will work out on their own.  If we must face difficult problems we may only glance at them and then look the other way pretending they are something different than they really are.  We can live our lives in a dream state that keeps us from facing reality.  But reality is where we live and it remains whether we face it or not.  We have enough courage to face anything that comes to us and there is nothing too difficult for us to resolve.

Sometimes when other people are involved and our decisions will impact them, we may choose to go along instead of doing what is best for us.  We may be able to keep that going for a while but eventually our true desires will demand attention.  What we really want and who we really are will need to be addressed.  When we’re ready we can honestly and courageously do what is needed to move forward.  Our lives belong to us and we may design them any way we choose.  We don’t have to be counterfeit.  We are perfect being exactly who we are and we deserve every happiness.  Trusting ourselves and being honest will help us find it.

Today if you’ve been pretending you are happier than you are and going along with something you don’t want to do, be honest and take the first step toward what you really want.  Be yourself and choose what is best for you.  You deserve the very best of everything and there is complete happiness waiting for you.  Go get it.

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True Competition

25 Apr

There are all kinds of ways to compare ourselves to the world. We can determine how we measure up to performance standards we admire, notions of beauty we desire, levels of success we strive for and thousands of other ideas. Although we may compare ourselves with others, our true competition is within ourselves. It doesn’t matter what anyone else achieves, how much they acquire, or what they define as success. We are the ones who determine what success is in our lives. If we emulate someone else’s achievements we may get closer to the goal we’re seeking but our personal success is unique to us. We must define true accomplishment in our own lives. Each of us has specific and unique talents and gifts we bring to the world. We will not find success by trying to give the world something we don’t possess. Understanding who we are and what gifts we offer will help us find our way to the lives we want most. We don’t need to compare ourselves against the accomplishments of others. We may set our own goals and standards and achieve them our own way. The world may set all kinds of ideals for what it defines as success, but true success comes when we give our best, no matter the outcome. We are the only ones who can truly judge our performance. We are our true competition.

There are a lot of ideas and opinions about what success looks like. Some believe it’s a reflection of material possessions and the more we have the more successful we are. Others think it has to do with power and having control over many people. Still others equate it only with money with the goal to have a lot of it. But we define what true success is in our lives. There is no success greater than doing our best to live the lives we most want. We determine what that looks like and only we can decide if we are accomplishing the goal. Our competition lies within us and the choices we make every day. What others think really doesn’t matter.

We live with ourselves every single day. There is no way to escape the choices we make or the decisions we choose. If we aren’t living in ways that bring us satisfaction and happiness we can change. True happiness is available to everyone but we must make decisions needed to bring it to us. We can compare ourselves to everyone around us, to what others think we should do, and try to model our lives after examples we admire. But real happiness will only come when we do what is best for us. We don’t have to compete with what others define as successful. We can define it for ourselves.

Today if you’ve been trying to measure up to someone else’s ideas and competing with those around you, remember only you know what makes you happy. Make choices that bring you the personal successes you seek. You know the perfect path forward. Choose it, and you will find joy as you move forward. Every success you desire will become a reality. Real happiness is there for you and you can have it.

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Straight Lines

24 Apr

When we want to be successful at something and are working hard to make things happen and push us ahead, we may expect our progress to move forward in a straight line.  If we’re diligently focusing it seems feasible to expect to make continual progress toward the destination.  It would be great if the line from where we are to where we want to go was straight and pointed up all the time.  We can achieve any goal we set our minds to but expecting to get there without delays or detours may not be what we experience.  Things happen, people make decisions, plans change and we may have to go sideways or even turn back a few steps to get back on track.  Success rarely comes easily and generally requires us to rethink, retool, and redirect from time to time.  We can plan and prepare and even if we’re sure the way forward is paved and clear, problems may arise that stop us in our tracks and force us to change our plans.  If the goal we’re seeking is important and we are determined to succeed, we can continue on no matter what complications come.  It may not come easily, the road may not be straight and the way forward may get dark from time to time.  We have enough courage and wisdom to find our way when things go wrong, and we are smart enough and strong enough to do what is needed to find success.

Some goals seem simple when we begin.  We know where we want to go and the road to get there is obvious and clear.  As we plan our way forward we may believe the goal will be easy to achieve.  Sometimes we are right, everything goes exactly as expected and we get to the destination with little struggle or time.  But other times, even if we’ve planned well and are sure the road we want to travel is available and ready for us, things may go awry.  There may be someone making decisions that block our way forward, or things change and the road we planned to travel is no longer available.  We may have to stop and find a new way to get to the destination.

Roadblocks and detours give us the opportunity to stop and think about our way forward again.  Sometimes when we stop in the middle of a journey we find better and easier roads to travel than we saw at the beginning.  We may find the detour points us in a direction previously unknown that gets us to the goal more quickly.  Every problem brings with it information that helps us going forward.  If we embrace the situation and take time to evaluate everything while we’re stopped, we may find answers we’ve been seeking.  There isn’t any goal we can’t achieve.  We have everything we need to find our way forward no matter how complicated the road becomes.  We are wise and powerful, and nothing can stop us from the success we desire.

Today if you’ve been pushing forward and there have been complications that stop your progress, take a moment to look around and see the whole picture.  There are answers there and you will find the way forward.  You can do anything.  There is nothing too complicated or difficult for you to overcome.  Rethink the road ahead and keep going.  Success is waiting for you and you will have it.

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All In

19 Apr

When there is something or someone we really believe in and want to support, we may give all our attention and focus to helping them. If what they stand for is something we firmly believe in, we may dedicate countless hours to helping them or doing things that move them forward. It’s good to believe strongly and it’s good to have people we admire and support, but it’s important to always remember who we are and keep our personal standards. Blind allegiance will never work in our favor. No matter what we do in our lives our first responsibility is to ourselves. We set our own standards of who we are and what we’ll do. If we get caught up in situations where our faith is so intense we follow directions without thinking, we may find ourselves doing things that don’t match who we really want to be. We can be committed and still remember who we are. If a situation requires us to give up our personal standards we need to stop and re-evaluate our way forward. Being true to ourselves is our first priority. We are in charge of our lives and no matter what anyone else decides, we can always choose for ourselves. We can be dedicated and still hold strong to what is best for us. Our gifts are unique and when we share the best of who we are the world is a better place.

If there is a venture we want to be involved in we may devote our time and energy to it and work hard to move it forward. If we are asked to do something that is outside the scope of what is appropriate for us, we may consider our options. We don’t have to do anything that compromises our standards or is in conflict with the example we want to set. We don’t have to follow along blindly to show support. We always have the power to make the best choices for ourselves and choose how we will engage in any situation. Being true to who we really are is important and we may find ways to support the cause that ensure we continue to hold fast to that.

Some people are very charismatic and convincing. Their actions and words may be very attractive and compelling, and it’s possible to become attracted to their energy and intensity and get involved before we have time to think. When we are captivated it’s wise to take a step back and see the situation completely. It’s important to make choices that take us where we want to go most and help us become the people we truly want to be. We never need to sacrifice our personal standards for someone or something else. We have a lot to offer. When we are true to what we want most, we become the people we want to be.

Today if you’ve been caught up in a situation that is taking you off the road you most want to travel, you can step back. You can support any situation you choose and still be true to yourself. Remember who you are and what you want. You bring gifts to the world that nobody else can give. We all want to know who you really are and are blessed because you’re here.

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