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Playing Chicken

23 Jan

Everyone is different, and goals and dreams vary from person to person.  What’s important to one is useless to another, what is desired by one is cast off by another, and so on.  While we may often be successful in managing those differences there will likely be times when we clash with someone else and conflict arise.  If neither side is willing to bend we may decide to play chicken and push our way forward, daring the other person to blink.  It’s good to know what we want and how to get it, but in times of conflict, pushing forward in direct opposition to someone else may not always be our best option.  Determining not to bend may escalate the conflict and before we know it the situation may spiral out of control to a place nobody wanted to go.  Being open to other opinions and listening intently to other viewpoints will help us understand opposing views more clearly.  Once we see things from both sides we may more easily find a compromise that is acceptable to everyone that allows us to move forward.  There is no one right way to do anything.  There are always several options in any scenario and if we’re open to seeing them, the way forward will be easier to find.  Playing chicken will never open the door to increased understanding or acceptance.  It will only prove we know what we want and don’t care about other ideas.  We are capable of being open and willing to hear all viewpoints.  Once everyone knows the whole story from all perspectives, finding an acceptable way forward will be possible.

It’s good to be confident about our lives and decisions, but if we allow our confidence to become superior to those around us it may turn into arrogance.  The difference between solid confidence and arrogance is the conviction that not only can we accomplish what we want to do, our ideas are better than anyone else’s.  Arrogance closes doors before us and other options available.  We can be open to new ideas and outcomes and still be confident in our ability to succeed.  New ideas will bring us fresh perspective and help us find success more easily.

We can always live our lives any way we choose.  We don’t need permission to decide what we want.  If there is dissent, we can be patient and listen to opposing views, and then make whatever decision works best for us.  There need not be tension and stress because we disagree.  We can be gracious and kind, thank others for their input and then choose the best option going forward.  Disagreement need not always turn into a fight.  We can be open and polite, and then make our decisions.

Today if there’s something you really want to do and someone is standing in your way, give them time to express their opinion and listen carefully.  Discuss your views and then decide the best way forward.  There is more than one way to do anything.  The best options are there for you.  Be open and wise.  You will find the best way forward.

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What is Real

15 Jan

Life is filled with all kinds of distractions and complications. When we’re unhappy with where we are, those distractions and complications may allow us to keep our eyes off what we don’t want to see and help us ignore things we don’t want to face. It’s not hard to look away or pretend a disappointing situation is different than it really is. All we have to do is focus on something else and we can defer what we don’t want to address. But what is real is where we are and looking the other way or ignoring anything will never make it change. If we’re unhappy with our appearance we can avoid anything that reflects our image and just keep moving. If our personal relationships are disappointing, or worse, we can go through the motions and make believe they will improve even if there is nothing indicating any change will happen. We can live in a make-believe world and we may convince ourselves that what we imagine is really happening. That might work for a time but reality has a way of breaking through and eventually we must face things as they really are. What is real is where we are. We have everything we need to create lives that are fulfilling and satisfying on every level. Pretending will never take us where we want to go. It’s like living in a house of mirrors, each one bending the truth to something that isn’t real. We can find true happiness and success when we look at everything openly and truthfully. We can take the blinders off, face any situation before us and determine where we want to go. Success is always available to us and we will have it.

Our dreams are personal and unique and we have everything we need to make them come true. It takes courage to decide to live our lives our own way and do the things we dream about. It takes determination to find the right roads and stay focused on the goal. We have all the courage and determination we need and once we decide we deserve the lives we dream about, we can make everything reality.

There will always be a reason to stay in a situation that isn’t working for us. If it’s a relationship that isn’t working we may think we have to stay to prevent hurting the other person. If it’s a job that’s unfulfilling we may think we owe something to our boss. If it’s a personal change we want to make we may hesitate worried we won’t succeed. We deserve true and complete happiness and nothing is more valuable than living our lives authentically, in complete harmony with what we truly want. We have everything we need to do anything. It’s all there for us and we can take the steps needed to find success.

Today if you’re in a situation that isn’t working, or you want to make a personal change you’ve put off, afraid that you’ll fail, be brave. Take the first step today to move forward toward where you really want to be. Your life is yours and you can live it exactly the way you desire. Be strong and confident. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Take control of what you want and go get it. It’s all there for you.

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Preceding Faith

8 Jan

When we want to change something in our lives or accomplish a new goal, we can adjust whatever is needed to begin forward toward success.  Even if we really want to get to the destination we’ve set for ourselves, sometimes there may be some question in our minds that we will prevail.  We don’t know what lies ahead or what complications we may face, and there may be a slight niggling of doubt we can succeed.  There really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish if we are willing to do what is needed to make it happen.  Even the most difficult of challenges is within our reach but when we start out we must believe and have faith we can win.  We can’t read the future and there is no way to predict what will happen, but if we have faith in ourselves we can face whatever comes and still continue forward.  Faith is not knowledge but the evidence of things we cannot see.  If we embrace it at the beginning of any venture and hold fast to it when things go wrong, we will find our way through.  Faith precedes any accomplishment and without it when trouble comes and complications tangle the way forward, frustration may stop us in our tracks.  We have the capacity for limitless success and there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish if we believe in ourselves.  We have sufficient faith and strength to do anything.  We can embrace any challenge and go forward with confidence that we will prevail.

There are a lot of reasons not to do the things we dream of.  They might take more time than we want to give them, they may be complicated, things may go wrong and we may get tangled up, and it may be more difficult than we thought at the beginning.  If we choose to, we may keep our lives in the same place indefinitely and let go of any desire to change or grow.  But there are limitless opportunities available to us all the time.  The whole world is out there and there is no end to the new experiences we can have.  We have sufficient faith to try new things and trust in our ability to move forward.  We can be brave enough to step on a new road and see where it takes us.

Living a small and predictable life is easy.  It’s nice to feel safe and settled, but we have enough courage to reach beyond where we are to something new.  There are endless possibilities available to us every day.  There are new roads and destinations that will bring us joy and excitement.  We are capable of great success and can manage new experiences well.  We can reach a little further and open new doors to places we’ve only dreamed about.  Life is filled with opportunity and we have everything we need to embrace change and expand our horizons.  Nothing is out of reach and we can make all our dreams come true.

Today if you’ve been keeping your head down and staying on the roads you know well, expand your vision and see what’s possible.  You have sufficient faith and courage to accomplish many things.  Reach further, try a new road and see where it takes you.  Your life will be richer and your understanding will deepen.  Do all the things you dream about.  Everything is there for you.  Go forward.  Success will follow.

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Starting Over

2 Jan

Every day we have the opportunity to change anything we desire in our lives. If there is something we don’t want to continue doing, someplace or situation we want to leave, or anything else we want to modify, the chance is always there for us. Sometimes we feel the need to change simply because we want something new or what we’re doing isn’t making us happy. Other times, outside events trigger the impetus to move in a new direction. The beginning of a new year, the end of a job or relationship, a move to a new location or many other events may prepare us to turn our lives toward something new. We have unlimited chances to change anything we desire and when we’re ready the process of modification and adjustment can begin. There are no limitations on what we can do and we need not stay on any road that isn’t taking us where we want to go. Change is always possible. We can define the changes we want to make and then do what is needed to make them a reality. Nothing is out of reach. We can do anything we truly desire and create the lives we want most. We are always in control of our decisions and no matter what is happening around us or what influences press us, we can choose any path we desire. We have all the control and wisdom needed to do anything. Once we decide where we want to go and what we want to do, we can change direction and move toward success. Life is an incredible blessing and can be fulfilling and satisfying. Everything is in our power. There isn’t anything we can’t do.

Sometimes we may end up in situations and patterns that don’t work for us. Perhaps we adopt behaviors that become routine but aren’t taking us where we want to go. Maybe we continue something that confounds our ability to achieve a personal goal, or someone depends on us too much and the time we spend with them keeps us from doing what we need to move forward in our own lives. Or we find ourselves caught up in someone else’s complications and problems in ways that keep us from our own focus. There are endless distractions around us but we can manage our time effectively and keep our eyes focused on what we really want.

There is no one right way to live life. We can design our lives any way we desire and work toward any goal we choose. We can honor traditions and still live our lives in ways that express our own individuality. No matter how long we’ve been doing something one way, we can start over and begin again on a new path. We are free to choose anything we desire and nothing can prevent us from achieving success. Life is long and we have all the chances we need to create the lives we want the most.

Today if you feel like you need to start over and change your direction, look ahead and choose the path that will take you where you most want to go. Make decisions based on the success you desire and move forward with courage. You have everything you need to achieve anything. Nothing is too difficult for you and you will reach any destination you desire. All your dreams can come true. Start today and move forward with confidence. Everything is there for you and you will reach it.

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Remembering

22 Dec

As we move through our lives we face all kinds of situations, meet various kinds of people and learn constantly.  We know who we are and what we want to do, but there are continual influences all around us.  Some are intense and strong, and as we get caught up in everything going on we may fall into those influences and forget who we really are.  As time goes by if we continue to adopt the patterns and choices of others instead of choosing what we want for ourselves, we may end up living a life that doesn’t genuinely represent us.  It’s possible to live our whole lives doing things others expect, or living in ways that fit someone else’s ideas.  Our lives are precious and belong completely and utterly to us alone.  We can manage them any way we desire and design them to fit perfectly into the choices we want.  It takes courage and strength to stand on our own if our choices don’t match what’s happening around us.  Everyone is different and we all have our own ideas about how life should go. It’s easy to go along with everyone else and try to assimilate into the expected norm.  But we deserve to be ourselves and can remember what we really want and where we want to go.  Life is an incredible blessing.  Living our lives authentically and doing what is most important to us, even if it’s different from those around us, will bring us happiness.  We have everything we need to find satisfaction and happiness in our lives.  Being true to who we and remembering what we want will take us there.

When we need to drive from one place to another and we’re in a hurry, a nice paved super highway is a good idea.  There are no stoplights to impede our progress and the roads are straight and clean, making the journey easy and quick.  If we need to accomplish something quickly, we may choose to simply go along with everyone else in an effort to get the job done as fast and efficiently as possible.  That’s fine when all we want is to reach the goal.  But if we want our views heard, our ideas are important, and we can slow things down, speak up, and choose what’s best for us.

There may be someone in our lives we are very attracted to, or admire very much, and their ideas and opinions are important to us.  We may bend our personal needs and preferences to accommodate them and adopt their ideas in order to get close to them.  Letting go of our own choices are might work for a time but we cannot keep who we are boxed in forever.  We need to be free to express ourselves genuinely and remember what’s important to us.  We have gifts to offer that no one else possesses and we may offer them openly and with confidence.  When we are true to ourselves we will find success and happiness.

Today if you’ve been playing along in a role that isn’t you, let your true self shine through.  You have so much to offer and the world is blessed because you are here.  Share your unique gifts with us and show us who you are.  There is nobody else like you and what you have to offer is precious and desired.  Remember who you are and let us share your life.

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