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Different Color

15 Aug

It’s easy to be around people who are like us.  If they have similar values, see the world in basically the same way we do and share our views of what’s right and wrong, it’s easy to be around them and share our lives with them.  But everyone is different and even if we’re sure our way of thinking is best for us, it’s foolish to believe it’s the way everyone else should live.  There are endless ideas and expressions possible and we all form our own views based on what we’ve experienced and what we want to gain.  What’s important to us may mean nothing to someone else.  It doesn’t mean either is wrong.  It’s just a difference in interpretation.  If we draw a hard line in the sand and require others to be like us in order to have a relationship with us, we may have a very lonely life.  We all have some things in common – we’re human beings, our basic needs are the same and we’re sharing the earth at the same time.  Other differences don’t change those parameters.  A horse of a different color is still a horse after all.  But everything else for us may be different than those around us and that’s fine.  We are unique and our expressions and desires are specific to our personal experience.  As long as nobody is getting hurt, allowing others to express themselves according to their own wishes is wise.  We may not understand their viewpoint but we can respect their right to it and honor their choices.  We don’t have to do anything that isn’t right for us and can follow our own specific paths.  As we do we can walk beside others who are taking a different road and create friendships despite the difference.

Hatred is a caustic emotion.  It never brings peace or anything of value to us.  Hating others because they are different than we are will never bring us happiness.  Even if we have no understanding of why someone would choose something we can understand and accept their right to make the decision.  We don’t have to agree or support anything that is contrary to our personal values but we can’t impose our beliefs on others.  We all have the right to live our lives any way we choose.  Respecting that right will help us clarify where we stand and define the paths we want to take.

Our personal experiences are unique to us.  Nobody is living our lives but us and nobody else is privy to the insight and understanding we gain as we go through different passages.  We can be confident in our choices and sure of our decisions.  It doesn’t matter if everyone else is going left, we can turn right if it’s right for where we are.  There are limitless roads to travel and the ones we choose are up to us.  We are unique and perfect in our own way.  Honoring that uniqueness in ourselves and others will bring us true and complete happiness.

Today if you’re confused about the decisions made by others around you, remember you only have insight into your own life.  Your experiences are unique to you and you can make any choices you like.  Honor the same in others and your life will be enriched.  We’re all different.  You are perfect in your own way.  Be welcoming to others and show the world your best.

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Branded

5 Mar

How we are perceived by others is sometimes the result of what we’ve done in the past.  Our personal behavior as we move through different situations may color what other people think of us and how much influence we carry.  We often hear about personal branding and how important it is to make sure ours represents what we want it to portray.  It’s a complicated issue and people may use all kinds of measuring factors regarding it.  We may have no idea how we’re being judged, and who we really are may have nothing to do with the impressions others may assume.  It’s dangerous to label people, and although we can’t prevent anyone from assuming things about us, we can refuse to judge those around us the same way.  Branding is important in business, and how successful we are managing it will sometimes decide whether we are entitled to some opportunities.  But in our personal lives, branding may be harmful and destructive.  Although we need information to make good decisions, basing any judgement on hearsay, or rumor, or assuming people will do anything before they have the chance to try will never bring us success.  We learn about people as we interact with them.  Every time we meet with them, talk to them, or work with them we learn more about them and as we get to know them can decide how our relationship will be defined.  The world is a big place and there are infinite human expressions and experiences.  Instead of believing what we hear, we can allow others to show us who they are, and trust our personal wisdom moving forward to make the best decisions.

Everyone judges situations and those around them.  It’s a natural reflex and when we see someone who is very much like someone else we’ve known we may make assumptions about who they are.  We may instinctively assign all kinds of traits to them simply because they remind us of a previous situation.  If we don’t have much interaction with them, those reminders may stay in place indefinitely.  But everyone is different.  Even people who look alike or act alike are not the same.  Assumptions are dangerous and are sometimes based on fiction.  We are wise enough to set aside any pre-conceived ideas about anyone and let them show us who they are.  We can be open to building relationships going forward.

There may be times in our lives when we may be judged or excluded from something we desire because of a previous situation.  Perhaps we didn’t manage something the way others felt was best, or we got caught up in some drama where there was no way to win.  Life is complicated and sometimes we end up in places that convolute our path for a time.  We all go through unexpected situations, but nothing is permanent.  Change is constant, and we learn as we go.  No matter what has happened in the past, we can be confident moving forward that we will make excellent decisions and choose the right road.  We can find success ahead and achieve any goal we desire.

Today if you’ve judged someone without knowing them, let them show you who they are.  Be welcoming and keep the doors open.  There is great blessing in sharing our lives with others.  Refuse to brand and label those around you, and learn about them as you go.  Your life will be richer, and your relationships will be stronger.

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Pause

19 Dec

When we’re working on completing a goal or pushing through an important project, the last thing we want is an interruption. However, this is life and unexpected developments come to all of us. When they do and we’re busy we may push them off in order to get back to the task at hand. It’s good to be focused and nobody wants to go around in circles with continual detours. But some things may happen that need our attention and ask us to stop for a moment to address them. If something happens to someone around us where they are hurt or confused, or need our help, we can stop what we’re doing and turn our focus to them. Projects, goals and deadlines are important but nothing is more valuable than the human spirit. Often what is needed won’t take long before we’re back on track again, and the time spent giving assistance may change someone else’s life. Being the best we can be isn’t just about what we accomplish but about the attributes we gain as we travel forward. Who we are is far more important than what we’ve done. Achieving goals, being ambitious and getting things completed are all great assets. Becoming compassionate, caring and kind are attributes that will change our perspective and benefit the entire world. We can accomplish anything we set out to do but we don’t have to get it all done today. If someone needs us, really needs our help, we can take a break from the journey and share our lives with them. When we do, we will find greater joy and a deeper understanding of who we are and what we really want.

It’s easy to get tunnel vision when we’re trying to complete something. We can tune out everything around us and become immersed only in what we want to do and where we want to go. We may not hear other voices, we may not see anything but the road ahead, and we may miss a lot of information as we push through. If we are oblivious to everything but what we want to accomplish, we may miss the needs of a friend, or the request for help when someone is falling. Our goals are important but keeping them in perspective will help us live our lives more fully and effectively. We can be open to what’s going on around us even when we’re pushing forward, be available when someone needs us, and still accomplish the goal.

Pausing to help someone is thoughtful and kind but we may get into a situation where someone abuses our kindness. We can evaluate each situation objectively and decide how much we can offer. We can be helpful and still manage our time carefully to ensure we achieve what is most important. There isn’t anything we can’t do and being mindful of those around us and managing our time will help us succeed.

Today if you’ve only been focused on the goal you want to achieve and zoned everything else out, look around. If there is a need, offer your help. You can accomplish your goals and still be available to those around you. Learn to be giving and compassionate, and carry those attributes forward. Share your life with others and everything you desire will come to you. Be a gift to the world. You have the power to change everything.

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Who We Are

5 Oct

When people ask who we are we may give them descriptions of our lives. We are siblings, children, parents, grandparents, friends, co-workers, professionals, laborers and dozens of others. All of these representations help people understand us and our place in life but they don’t really define who we are. They are merely what circumstances we were born into or where we are in our lives. Who we are goes far deeper than any outward descriptor. It’s what defines us morally, ethically, spiritually, and individually, and is reflected by the actions we take. Our true selves are defined by the choices we make and the values we express. It has little to do with what others expect and more to do with what we expect from ourselves. We set our own personal standards and how we define what is noble and good is reflected in the people we become. We can bring goodness and light to the world or we can bring trouble and conflict. We can be anything we choose and everything we do will show the world what those decisions are. There are endless opportunities in life to make an impact. What that impact looks like is our decision. We can bring joy or sorrow. It’s all up to us.

Most people try to do well and be kind to those around them. We see incredible acts of goodness when trouble strikes as people step up to assist and carry those around them. We hear of heroic acts that save lives and incredible sacrifice that brings comfort. When others give selflessly to those around them it embellishes us and gives us hope for the future. Those willing to give bring great blessings to us all. Our connections to the human race are strong and more valuable than we may realize until things go wrong. We can choose to be noble and kind. We can be a light when there is nothing but darkness and the hand that reaches up when things go wrong.

Personal nobility is a choice we make. It’s easy to coast through life doing the minimum needed to get by. We can keep our eyes only on ourselves and our personal needs and refuse to get involved in anything outside our private world. If we do, we may feel safer in our routines and secure knowing what to expect. But if we take the chance to reach out and help others, and risk our personal comfort to extend ourselves in service, our lives will be enriched and we will become more connected to those around us. We can be anything we choose. Choosing to be noble and kind, selfless and loving, and helpful and charitable, will bring us incredible blessings and enrich our lives beyond our imagining. We have so much to offer. We can be the very best versions of ourselves and bless the world.

Today if you’ve been keeping to yourself, think about sharing your life with others. Look up. There are opportunities to help and serve all around you. Reach out and expand your focus. There is greatness and nobility inside you. Build on it and let it grow. You have so much to offer. Be the best you can be and you’ll change the world.

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Let Me

3 Oct

Life is unpredictable and our situations can change in an instant. One minute we may be traveling along confidently and then suddenly something may happen and everything is completely overturned. We cannot predict what will come and we never really know what lies ahead. If we’re forced into a new reality without warning that has upset our stability and foundation, we may be unsure or concerned about how to proceed. If our lives have been upended and we can’t find our footing, the simple offer of help from someone else can feel like a lifeline going forward. When someone steps in and says, “Let me,” we may feel enormous relief. The offer from someone else to help, to lift, and to assist can be priceless when we are overcome. Nobody can do everything all the time and we all face moments when we need help. The gift of service from those around us can make even the darkest moments lighter. We’re all in this together. In times of crisis, in moments of doubt, and situations of uncertainty, the gift of someone willing to walk with us, to hold us up, and help us face whatever is before us, is the most treasured gift we could receive. Letting others in when we are overcome, and allowing them to help us move forward will enable us to withstand any storm or trial. There isn’t anything we can’t do but we all need help from time to time. That help will allow us to move forward with confidence and enable us to aide others once our trial has passed. Life is all about learning and each experience teaches us valuable lessons. We can move through every challenge with others standing beside us and find success together.

We are all connected far more deeply than we may realize. The depth of our connection is often visible when disaster strikes and people are suffering. There are countless stories of selfless heroism in the face of danger. When we see others in challenging situations who need help, we can stand firm and say, “Let me.” Offering our strength when others are weak will enlarge us and make us equal to the task. We have so much to offer and sharing it with those around us sustains them through the trial and enriches us.

When we serve others, our lives are enhanced and refined. The act of giving often returns more to us than anticipated. The blessings of service are limitless and our compassion for those around us will increase when we serve. Trouble comes to us all. Offering our help and receiving help from others builds our connections and makes our world stronger.

Today if someone near you is struggling, offer your help and assistance. Do what you can to encourage and support. Strengthen your connections to others through service. If you’re facing a trial and feel overwhelmed, allow others to lift you and help you through. You are never alone and all the help you need is there for you. Be strong, be brave, and go forward with confidence. There isn’t thing we can’t do together.

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