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Stepping Out

17 Apr

“Too many opportunities out there to spend your life in a box. No matter how nice the box is.”  Dolphin Tale 2

Our lives are ours to design and we may do many things and go anywhere.  There are opportunities for us to try new things and open new doors.  When we feel settled and our lives have routines we may become complacent and neglect to notice what else is available to us.  We can make any decisions we like and if we want a small life we may certainly have one.  We can keep things close, never venture far from what we know and only step on the paths we’ve paved over time.  If we never step out or venture away from what we know we will never learn anything new.  There are countless opportunities for us to enrich our lives, endless roads we could travel and limitless experiences awaiting us.  If we open the door a little wider and take a step out of our comfort zone we will see things we don’t imagine and find wonders in the world and inside ourselves we never dreamed existed.  We are stronger and more capable than we think we are and there really isn’t anything we can’t do.  No matter how comfortable we feel in our lives we can always reach for something more.  Life is all about learning.  Staying locked up in a box – even a very nice box – will keep us from becoming the very best we could be.

Life is full of surprises and even if we try to keep our routines the same and prefer predictability, sometimes things will happen that shake everything up.  Unexpected complications take us someplace new that opens our eyes to fresh possibilities for the road ahead.  We can determine to re-set our lives back exactly the way they were before the tumult began, or we can choose to see things in a new light and try something else.  If we seize every opportunity for growth and step onto new paths we’ll develop more depth of understanding about our lives and the world around us.  We’ll be enriched by the possibilities of change.

If we’ve been doing the same things the same ways for a long time the idea of change may be daunting.  There is comfort in repetition and suddenly stepping off the paved path we’ve been on may be a challenge.  But staying on the same road can only give us the same experiences and the same views.  There are countless new things we could see and do, and stepping out will open our minds and enrich our lives.  We are capable of so much more.  We can stretch and reach for new goals, go to new places and build new dreams.  The world belongs to us.  If we open our arms and stretch there is no end to what we could do.

Today if you’ve been keeping your life the same and staying close to what is comfortable, think about trying something new.  Step out and see what’s possible. You are capable of so much and the world is there for you.  Open the door a little wider and stretch a little farther.  You can go anywhere, do anything, and make all your dreams come true.  There isn’t anything you can’t do and find success.

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Opting Out

13 Apr

There are all kinds of people in the world and limitless types of personalities. We interact with them every day and their influence in our lives varies. Most of the time we get along fine but there may be times when we struggle with someone else’s behavior or decisions. Perhaps they have trouble controlling their temperament, maybe there are honesty issues, or they are difficult for us to understand. If we must collaborate with them we may find the experience challenging and frustrating. Although there may be times when we absolutely must deal with a difficult person, generally we have the option of going another way. We don’t have to stay in any relationship we don’t want. Even if we’ve been dealing with the situation for years, unless we absolutely must keep them in our lives we may opt out and step away. Sometimes we get into a manipulative situation where the other person tries to control us or in some way exerts power over us. It doesn’t matter how much time we’ve been involved, it doesn’t matter how much the other person expects from us, and it doesn’t matter what others think. If we aren’t happy and want a change we may have it. We can do anything that is best for us regardless of other opinions. If we aren’t happy where we are, we may opt out and take another road.

It’s wonderful to have a long term successful relationship with someone else. We can share our lives together and over time develop a closeness that is very rewarding and fulfilling. But if we’re in a relationship that is hurting us or making us feel unworthy, no matter how long we’ve been involved we may change the situation. We can express our feelings and discuss what we need to be happy. If the other person is willing to work with us we may be able to stay in the relationship. However, if after we’ve said what we need they decide they don’t want to change anything we can do what is required to be happy.

It’s easy to get caught up and stay in difficult relationships because we’ve been in them so long they have become routine. Routines may be comforting even when we’re unhappy because we know what to expect. But our happiness is important and every single day we trade it away we lose a precious gift we could give to ourselves. There isn’t anything we can’t do when we’re ready. If we’re unhappy we can change. We deserve the lives we want most and we can give them to ourselves. We don’t have to stay stuck in difficult circumstances. We deserve every happiness and we may opt out and start again at any time.

Today if you’re in a situation where there is discord and you want more happiness in your life, evaluate the situation objectively. There are countless opportunities available for you. You are worth more than you can imagine and deserve to be completely happy. If what you’re doing isn’t working, make a change. You have all the courage and wisdom you need. The world is a better place because you’re here. Today do what is needed to find happiness. Nothing can stop you and you are worth it.

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Letting It Go

11 Apr

Pain is a part of every life. Sometimes things go wrong, people make choices that hurt us, or unexpected developments derail our lives and we suffer. It’s impossible to live a perfectly happy existence every single day. We will get hurt from time to time, people will offend us, our plans will go awry, and we will fall. Although it’s unpleasant when we’re going through it, we can overcome whatever happens and find joy again. Sometimes if something truly disastrous happens, something that hurts us so badly we feel broken, we may struggle to keep going. When the pain is intense and it’s hard to face the future, we may hold on tightly to what has happened. It may seem holding onto the pain helps us hold onto what has been lost and we can hold on so tightly we hold ourselves in place indefinitely. If we can’t let go we can’t move forward. What’s done is done and what we do next is up to us. There is nothing, no matter how horrible or disastrous it may be, that can control our lives unless we let it. We can face any situation clearly, feel the sorrow for the loss and then let it go. Letting go does not diminish what has happened. We can grieve for what we’ve suffered and then move forward with confidence knowing we have overcome and will find happiness again.

It’s possible to get stuck going over the same scenarios again and again looking for answers. Sometimes it’s important to know why things went wrong if we’ve made a mistake so we learn from the experience and don’t make it again. But other times we suffer loss through no fault of our own because of situations out of our control or decisions made by others. If there was nothing we could do to prevent the loss, there is nothing to be gained by reviewing it over and over. Every experience teaches us something but we can only learn the lesson if we are willing to see it objectively and then move forward. We have all the courage we need to face whatever comes to us and we can rely on that courage to move forward and begin again.

The road ahead is filled with many experiences and events. In our darkest hours if we take one step forward there will be something new waiting for us. There are countless doors we may walk through that will bring us happiness and satisfaction. They’re all there just ahead waiting to be opened. If we stay where we are and hold onto what is gone we cannot get there. Our lives are precious and each day, each moment is a gift that once passed can never be recaptured. We can go forward a little at a time and as we gain strength discover limitless arenas of happiness waiting for us. Life flies by in an instant. We don’t need to give another moment away to something that has been lost. We can move forward into the sunshine and be happy.

Today if you’ve been holding onto a big disappointment or pain that hurt you deeply, you can set it aside and let it go. You have so much to offer and there is so much happiness waiting for you. Take a step forward and begin again. There is sunshine just ahead and light to find the way.

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Options Options

7 Apr

When we’re facing big decisions there are often options from which to choose.  There is rarely only one way to move forward successfully and we may choose any path we like.  There may be times when the decision we choose will be critical, and other times when it really doesn’t matter which path we choose so long as we get to the destination.  If we struggle with decisions and there are a lot of options it may take us some time to discern what we want to do.  Every decision we make will have a result and we want to ensure the results we get are what we’re seeking.  Even if time is a factor and we feel pressed we can review our options carefully and choose the best plan for our needs.  When we are thoughtful and careful it’s easy to imagine everything will go as planned and often that’s the case.  But sometimes, no matter how much we prepare or how carefully we choose, things will go awry.  Life is unpredictable and nobody can read the future.  If the bottom falls out and we discover we’re somewhere we never wanted to go we can turn our course and choose again.  There will always be choices to make and options available to us.  We have everything we need to make wise decisions and we can face anything that comes.  If complications arise, we will manage them.  If everything goes south, we will look to the north and find our way again.

Decisions come easily for some people. They are able to see things quickly and objectively and simply choose the way forward.  For others, fear of the unknown or risk of making a mistake may cause hesitation.  We can take time if we need to evaluate our choices and determine where they will take us.  We can step back and think about exactly what we’re trying to accomplish and review every possibility.  But we cannot think about the decision indefinitely.  The only way forward is to actually step on the path and move forward.  Indecision will only bring confusion and paralysis.  We can confidently see all our options and make good, wise, strong choices for where we want to go.

If we are heavily influenced by those around us or there are others with strong opinions about what we should do we may feel we must go along even if it’s not what we really want.  If we agree with someone else’s ideas and allow them to choose for us the results of that choice will be our responsibility as well as theirs.  We can’t blame others when we make choices out of pressure or influence.  The choice belongs to us.  If things go wrong, we are responsible.  We can hear other opinions and we can listen to all viewpoints, but in the end the decisions we make belong to us.  We can choose carefully and wisely and when we do we will prevail.

Today if you have a decision you must make and you aren’t sure which way to go, weigh all the options and see all the possibilities.  Listen to those around you and get advice if you need it.  Then make the best decision going forward. You have everything you need to prevail.  You are strong and capable and you will find the best way.

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Integrity

6 Apr

We can be any kind of people we choose to be. Nobody is born with a fully developed adult personality, and although there are unique traits we carry forward, the type of person we ultimately become is up to us. We can be self-centered, only valuing our own preferences and choices, or we can be welcoming and open to those around us. We can be rude and aggressive or we can be kind and helpful. We are responsible for our behaviors no matter what they are and if we want to be our best we must make choices that take us there. If we are honest and caring in all our dealings we will develop integrity. Integrity is a behavior that raises us and heightens our awareness of what is right. We can choose to value strong moral principles, be undivided in our devotion to them and unmovable in questions of honesty and honor. One of the most important things we must do is keep our promises. Every time we give our word or promise we seal the agreement with our honor. When we follow through on that agreement we gain trust and if we drop the ball we damage our credibility and honesty. If we want to be our very best there can never be a question of keeping our word. We must always follow through on our commitments. When we do, our level of integrity will increase and we will gain the respect of those around us. Being true to ourselves will help us move forward and grow. We can choose high standards and refuse to back down. We can set the bar for the world and our influence will bring great positive impact to those around us.

When we’re unsure of ourselves or don’t have confidence in what we’re doing we may rely on those around us. We may follow their lead and mimic their behaviors until we feel stronger. It’s good to emulate positive and ethical behaviors but sometimes what we see isn’t always the whole story. What looks right initially may turn out to be something entirely different. We can’t know the thoughts of those around us or understand their motivations from the outside. If we simply impersonate what we’re seeing we may end up going someplace we don’t want to be. We always have enough confidence to make our own choices and we can rely on our intuition to make them well.

It may be difficult to choose integrity and truth when someone has deceived us. If we discover we’ve been lied to and are hurt we may think first of revenge. It’s easy to think about smashing someone who has purposely manipulated us but returning the insult will never take us where we want to go. Others may choose what they will but we are only responsible for the choices we make. We can always determine to take the high road and honor our personal values no matter what others decide. When we do, our integrity will rise and we will take a step closer to the person we most want to be. There is no need to let someone else’s problems become ours. We can live our lives any way we choose and when we choose well, we will find happiness.

Today if you see some of your choices haven’t been the best you could make, decide to be true going forward. There is greatness in you. The world needs all the good you have to offer. Step up to the person you most want to be and find success. You are a shining star for the world and your light will open all the doors ahead.

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