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Starting Gun

28 Apr

Life is full of unknowns. Nobody can read the future or see what’s coming around the next turn. We can do everything in our power to protect ourselves and prepare for the unexpected, and still be taken by surprise. Everything we know and understand could change in a moment, and if that happens, we may have no idea what to do or how to proceed. When the wind gets knocked out of us, it takes time to recover and be able to breathe. We know a lot and can learn more, but there is no way to predict how anything will go. With all that uncertainty, we may be hesitant to venture forward toward a desired goal. What if it doesn’t work out? What if we get tangled up and can’t move? What if we fall flat and everything blows up? What if, what if, what if? Lots of things could happen and we might discover the journey ahead is far more difficult than we imagined, but there is no way to reach success by standing still. In a foot race, the runners set themselves at the starting blocks. When the starting gun sounds, if they want to win, they must jump forward and begin to run not knowing how it will work out. Being afraid to move will never propel them to victory. The same is true for our own personal goals. We can think about them, prepare for them, decide on the different ways we could accomplish them, and make all kinds of plans, but if we don’t move off the blocks, nothing will change. Whatever we desire is possible, but we must be willing to take the chance and do what is necessary to make it ours. We already have all the courage and wisdom we need to do anything we want, but we must trust ourselves and believe we will succeed. Nothing is beyond our reach, and with determination and focus, every single dream is possible.

Everyone is unique, and our ideas about life and what we should do belong solely to us. We make our own decisions, and can design our lives any way we like. But others may not understand our choices, and may try to move us in a direction they think is better. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but nobody can possibly know us better than we know ourselves. We don’t need anyone’s approval or permission to do what we want. We are in control of our lives, and can move in the direction that brings us what we desire most.

Problems and complications are a constant part of life. No matter what we’re doing, odds are something will go awry. The road may get rocky and hard to navigate. Someone may block our way forward, or we might get tangled up in unexpected snags and details. If we’re determined to reach the goal, it doesn’t matter what happens along the way. We are smart enough, and strong enough, to manage anything that comes. Nothing can stop us from reaching success.

Today, if there’s something you want to do and haven’t begun, look at the road ahead and start the journey. Move forward one step at a time, and take things as they come. Keep your eyes focused on the goal, and continue moving ahead. Every dream, every goal is waiting for you. Be confident and sure, and trust yourself. Nothing can keep you from success. 

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Swimming Laps in the Pool

25 Jan

A lot of people learn how to swim as kids. Maybe we went to the local YMCA for lessons, or our uncle just threw us in the water and told us to figure it out. However, we did it, we gained a valuable skill. Learning to swim is like riding a bike. Once you know how to do it, you don’t forget. If we know how to swim, we may be confident we could easily swim laps in a pool with no problem. The first day we go and jump in we may think it’ll be a snap – we’ll just start and be able to do several laps before we quit. But knowing how to do something and becoming proficient in it are two different things. Our first time in the water we may be surprised that although we know how to swim, actually getting to the other side of the pool is harder than it looks. It takes a lot of effort, and we may be gasping for air after going just a few feet. We may be stunned by what we can’t do. If we are determined and continue to spend time working on it, we will improve and be able to accomplish the goals we’ve set, but that won’t happen over night or in one week. It may take a lot of time before we feel comfortable and confident. The same is true with most goals we set. We may already possess many of the requirements to reach success, but they will still take time and effort to achieve. We can do anything we want and nothing is out of reach, but we must be willing to do what is necessary to make them ours. We are strong and powerful, and we know what we want. By planning carefully, and then doing the work, we can reach any destination.

It isn’t hard to climb a mountain. You just have to put one foot in front of the other until you reach the top. Sounds simple right? But there lots of factors that make it harder than it seems. Although we’re essentially just walking, it’s all uphill which is far harder than walking on a flat surface. Then there are weather factors. If it’s a very high mountain, it will likely be cold and involve snow and ice. There may even be breathing issues due to high altitude. Although it seems simple in theory, actually climbing a mountain is not easy. When we begin toward any goal, there is no way to know what complications will get in our way. By keeping our eyes focused ahead and unraveling each problem that arises, if we’re determined, we will succeed.

Everyone admires successful people. They seem to have everything figured out and know what to do. What we don’t see is all the time and trouble they went through to get to success. Nobody pays attention when we’re just starting out, or when the bank turns down our loan, and we are just making ends meet. Nobody sees all the problems, and complications, and headaches that come because we refuse to give up. Success isn’t always easy, but if we keep our eyes on the prize, no matter what gets in the way, we will reach the top and find great satisfaction.

Today if there is a goal you want that’s more difficult than you imagined, decide how you want to proceed. You are smarter and stronger than you think you are, and if you want success, you can have it. Look at the road ahead and plan your next steps. There isn’t anything too difficult for you to overcome or too hard for you to understand. Be confident and trust yourself. The whole world is there for you and every success awaits.

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No You Don’t

6 Jan

We can make any decisions we like as we move forward. We’re in control of our lives and can go anywhere we desire. Being in charge of where we’re headed gives us confidence and helps us reach our goals, but our own personal decisions are all we control. We share the planet with billions of other people, and even if we’re sure we know what we want to do, their decisions may stand in the way of ours. We may face a roadblock we can’t overcome that stops us from moving ahead. If we can see what happened, who’s involved, and why we’re stuck, we might be able to work around it, but sometimes we have no idea why things won’t move along. Something may be going on beyond our reach that closes the door ahead, or reverses our course. There’s no way to know everything about everything at every moment. Even the best of plans may be impossible right now. It’s frustrating when we can’t do what we want, and nobody wants to hear the word “no” when they want something. But life is all about change, and nothing stays the same forever. Despite our desires, we may need to set the goal aside for a time until our situation changes, and the roads ahead open. It’s disappointing for sure, but it doesn’t mean we will never succeed. There will always be something else to focus on until we can begin again. We know who we are and what we want, and nothing can hold us in place forever. By being patient and keeping our eyes trained on the way forward, we will reach every goal and find great success.

If there is someone in authority over us, or someone we value who wants us to do something that takes us off course, we may need to comply. Families, jobs, relationships, and other important connections are always part of the equation. Unless we live on a deserted island (unlikely), those around us will have some influence over what we do. How powerful that influence is depends on our relationship with them. If we must step away from our own goals for a time, it doesn’t mean they are lost forever. Everything will eventually change, and we will be able to return and continue.

When we really want something and have to wait, it’s hard to be patient. We may feel like we’re spinning our wheels while we do whatever else is taking our time and attention. Waiting is hard, but it gives us time to think and helps us refine our plans about how we’re going to proceed once things change. Every goal is possible and with clarity and wisdom, no matter what’s in the way now, when the time is right, we will reach them all.

Today if the road ahead is blocked and you are unable to move closer to your goal, step back and look at everything objectively. A detour does not end the journey. You know what you want. Keep your eyes focused ahead, and be ready when things change and you are able to proceed. You are intelligent and wise, and nothing is out of reach. Trust yourself and remember how capable you are. Every dream awaits, and they will be yours.

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Just This Once

20 Dec

Our lives are a reflection of our decisions. Every choice we make changes something and takes us somewhere. If we’re mindful and think about all the ramifications of everything we choose, we have a better shot of getting what we want and going where we want to go, but life is busy and can be hectic. We may make decisions on the fly simply because we don’t have time to stop and think. Sometimes that works out okay, but if we don’t think before we jump, things may not go the way we hope. Everyone wants a happy life and we all have things we want to achieve. We may face a time when we can get something quicker if we manipulate the situation dishonestly. Most of us want to be honest in all our dealings, but life is complex, and there are all kinds of people around us making all kinds of decisions. If they get in our way and we just can’t wait any longer, we may decide, just this once, to step away from our personal standards and do whatever is necessary to get what we want. We may bend the truth, tell a lie, deceive someone or use smoke and mirrors to make things seem different than they are. We’re in control of our lives and can do anything we like at any time. We can make any choices we want, but we can’t change the results of those choices. If we start a fire, something is going to burn. There is no way out. We know what we want, and must decide if we want it badly enough to sacrifice our integrity and honesty to get it. If that’s the case, we can go down that road and just crash ahead until we get to the goal. But every gain has a price and we may discover the price is higher than we imagined. By being thoughtful and wise, and taking the time to see where we’re headed before we step forward, we can make excellent choices that will bring us happiness and satisfaction. If we can’t get the goal today, we can patiently continue forward until we do. Every goal is possible, and every success awaits. With clarity and focus, we will reach them all.

Some people don’t care what it takes to win. They will do anything, and break every rule just to get to the prize. They are ruthless and the feelings of others mean nothing. If they are in a position of power, they may cause a lot of destruction as they push ahead. Once they reach the goal, they are happy but that happiness is often fleeting, because there will always be something bigger, something shinier, something more prestigious just ahead. Getting to each goal is important, but how we get there defines who we are. We can be relentless and merciless, and burn every bridge as we move forward, but that will never bring lasting happiness or peace.

Nobody is destined to remain the same forever. Change is constant, and we can change any behavior traits we want. If we’ve been unwise in the past, and have broken relationships because of our choices, it will take work and diligence to win back the trust of others. Change takes works and continual determination, but when we’re ready we can do anything. There is greatness in us all, and we can reclaim our nobility and wisdom at any time. Our lives are ours to design and nothing is out of reach. We really can have the lives we want the most by being mindful, patient and focused on the road ahead.

Today if there’s a chance you’ll win but only if you cheat, before you begin, stop and think about who you really want to be. You are defined by the choices you make so decide what you want the most, and then step forward. There is greatness in you and you have so much to offer. Show us your best and bring light to those around you. You really are amazing and worth more than you can imagine. Choose wisely and be confident. Every success is waiting and every dream is possible. Be honest and determined, and you will reach them all.

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The Endless Wait

10 Nov

There are lots of people around us and we may develop many different types of relationships. If we want them to be strong and healthy, we must be willing to invest time and attention in them. Since we’re all different, what that looks like may be very different from one person to the next. Some families are very connected and stay intensely involved with each other. Other families are more independent and don’t include everyone in their business. Although they are very different, it doesn’t mean one is better than the other. There are endless ways to express our attachments. We all have ideas about how things should go and if we get intimately involved with someone whose ideas about how to manage our connection is different than our own, there may be complications. If we want to move the relationship forward, and the other person says they want the same thing, but keep putting us off, it may be confusing. We can listen to their promises, and hope for things to change, but if all we do is wait and nothing happens, we may need to re-evaluate what we’re doing. Words are cheap and without action, they mean nothing. All the promises in the world are worthless if there is no follow through. We can wait as long as we like for things to develop, but our lives belong to us and we are in control of what we do. We don’t have to remain in place any longer than we’re comfortable. If we want something different or something more, and the other party isn’t responding, we can look at all our options and change direction. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been connected to them. If what they’re doing isn’t working, we can move on. We deserve complete happiness and by keeping our eyes open and choosing the road ahead we most desire, we can achieve it.

Procrastination is a deadly behavior trait that can quickly kill a relationship. We always do what we want to do most, and when we push something aside and leave it undone, it’s an indication that it’s not important to us. If we ignore our relationship responsibilities or promises, our connection will surely suffer. It’s demeaning and insulting to constantly be promised something that never materializes. Instead of going along to keep the peace, it’s far better to state our true intentions and be as honest as possible. If we don’t want to or don’t intend to do something, there is no need to pretend otherwise.

It’s hard to wait for something we really want. If the goal is something we can achieve on our own, we can make an effective plan and set forth to achieve it, but if it involves the participation of someone else, all bets are off. Someone may agree to doing something just to prevent contention, when they have no intention of complying. Who we are is defined by what we do. If we continually commit to things and don’t follow through, others will learn we cannot be trusted. There is greatness in us, and by being completely honest and keeping our word, we will build great connections and strong relationships that will move us closer to the success we desire.

Today if you’ve been waiting for something to change for a while, remember you are in control of your life. There is no need to wait longer than you are comfortable. Look at everything objectively and openly, and decide how you want to proceed. Your life is precious and valuable and there isn’t anything you can’t do. Trust yourself and choose the road ahead that will take you to the destinations you most desire. Everything is possible if you’re willing to do what is needed to make it yours. Be confident. There is great happiness and success waiting and you will reach it.

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