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Small Moves

15 Oct

Change is rarely easy.  It’s always more comfortable to keep things as they are than it is to change them.  But change is constant and can’t be avoided.  Sometimes we need to make adjustments to facilitate new situations in our lives.  Maybe we are moving and must change our jobs, or our jobs are changing causing us to relocate.  Perhaps a family situation has developed and it’s impacting our lives and routine in ways that mean we have to adjust our patterns and how we do things.  When we have to make serious changes it can be hard to navigate at first.  We may try to keep doing things as always and hope it’ll work out.  If it doesn’t we’ll have to find a new way to go forward.  It’s important to realize that change doesn’t usually happen all at once.  We generally have to make small adjustments one at a time to figure out what works.  We turn a few degrees to the right or to the left, re-adjust and then, if necessary, turn again.  We continue to modify our path until things are working more effectively and we’ve completely implemented the change into our lives.

Sometimes it seems like life would be easier if everything stayed the same.  We’re familiar with this road, we’ve been on it for a while and don’t see any reason to go into uncharted territory.  But this life is consistently changing.  It’s really the only constant we can count on.  No matter how things are now, they won’t stay that way forever.  So learning to accommodate the inevitable change that’s coming is imperative.  We can’t see the future and we don’t know what lies ahead.  What we’re doing now is preparing us for the new experiences coming our way.  If we are confident and positive looking forward, we will be able to adjust to whatever comes.  There really isn’t anything we can’t face.  Even the most difficult developments are within our ability to understand and navigate.

Our responses to change often result in stress.  Whether the change is wonderful or disastrous doesn’t really matter.  The measure of the change often brings with it a comparable amount of stress as we try to adjust.  If the impact is great, it takes more time than if it’s small.  We may feel out of control, anxious, and uncomfortable as we navigate through the transition.  But if we take it one step at a time, we’ll find our footing again, and no matter what the change is, we’ll figure out how to process it into our lives.  We don’t need to be afraid, and we don’t need to worry.  There isn’t anything we can’t manage.  We can be calm and confident as we figure out what to do next.  In time we’ll get through and although our lives may be different, and we may be facing a new “normal,” we’ll be able to find happiness and peace again.

Today if you’re facing some new changes, if you’re unsure and feel stressed, give yourself time to adjust.  Take it one step at a time.  Change is a normal and expected part of life.  It’s a time to redirect, and redefine who we are and where we’re going.  Walk through the transition at your own pace.  Give yourself time to adjust, and before you know it you’ll be on the other side happy with where you are, and looking forward.

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Wingspan

7 Oct

When birds fly, they stretch their wings all the way out to use the entire span for lift. They reach and pull to make the most of each stroke so their flight is even, and seemingly effortless. However, nothing that defies gravity is effortless, and in spite of the work it takes, they fly when they want to, and get where they need to be. We don’t have wings, but we have things we need to do and they take effort as well. If we enjoy the task it can seem easy and fun, but no matter what we’re doing we need to make sure it gets done. There is an old saying that anything worth doing is worth doing well. And that’s true. If we’re going to expend any effort, or do anything, we should do it the best way we can.

Some people choose to live a lukewarm existence. They don’t volunteer to do any heavy lifting, they don’t push themselves to be better, and they don’t care if they learn and grow. They are happy keeping things predictable and easy, and they don’t want to stretch. They can’t risk getting sore by doing too much or trying too hard so they keep a low profile and just get by. If we choose to live like that we might have an easier ride overall, and we may not feel great disappointment.  But we also won’t feel great accomplishment or the excitement of changing and growing. We can coast through our days if we like, and give the least amount of effort to the things we do. We can get by doing the minimum amount required, or we can apply ourselves, challenge ourselves and see how far we can go. If we do as little as possible, we probably won’t learn anything new. We’ll get through the task, check if off our lists, and forget about it.

Stretching our wings takes thought and preparation. If we really apply ourselves, if we look to see what new things we can learn, and what real gifts we can offer, our tasks will be more rewarding and we’ll grow as we complete them. Others will notice how much interest we have in the things we do, and if we’re really committed to excellence, will entrust us with their best projects, and their best ideas. We’ll never realize how far we can go if we don’t leave our comfort zone. We’ll never know how much we can learn if we don’t try new things. This life is a time to experiment, to test, to try, and to push ourselves and go as far as we can. If we stretch our wings all the way out, and use all the strength and determination we can, we’ll become stronger, more confident people who understand they can do anything. Nothing will stop us and the world will belong to us.

Today if you’ve been keeping a low profile, if you’ve been doing just enough to get by, try to reach a little further. You have abilities you haven’t yet realized. You can do anything and when you reach for it, you can conquer any circumstance. You are capable of accomplishing whatever you set your mind to. Be confident. Open all the doors and go boldly through each one. You’ve got everything you need to accomplish anything you choose. Spread your wings all the way out and soar. Today, show the world what you’re made of and what you can do.

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Same Time Same Place

6 Oct

There is a law of physics that states no two objects can occupy the same space at the same time. One will necessarily take the place of the other and push it away. Although we might recognize this as truth, there are times when we really want to do something, but at the same time are afraid to accomplish it. There is sometimes an internal struggle between truly wanting something and being afraid we can’t have it. We feel torn and conflicted, but the fact of the matter is, even though we believe we are thinking about both possibilities concurrently, one is overcoming the other. It is impossible to have faith and doubt at the same time. One will take the place of the other and determine our actions. If we struggle thinking about what we want, and do nothing, the fear is in control. But if we’re doing everything possible to make the change happen despite the fear, we are in control. If we want to find success in anything, the first step, the most important step, is to be in control.

We can make lots of changes in our lives. The small changes are easier to accomplish than the large ones, and it’s the big changes that impact us the most. It takes more effort to change something with a big impact on our lives, but the rewards of succeeding in making the change are great. If we want to change career fields to something completely different, it takes courage and faith to do what is needed to make the transition and be successful. If we want to make serious changes in our personal life, it takes determination and focus to make them happen. If we want to change our physical appearance it takes dedication and a strong will to endure what is needed. The biggest positive changes we make in our lives bring the biggest rewards. When we accomplish them we feel powerful and invincible. We did something really difficult and we succeeded. Our confidence will soar and we’ll be happy we persevered.

When we’re facing a decision to do something difficult, we may spend some time going back and forth weighing the costs and the options. We look at all the benefits to be gained by making the change, and what will happen if we did nothing. Once we decide we want to move forward and begin doing what is needed to begin the process of changing, we may have moments of doubt. We may be afraid we won’t succeed. Others may encourage us or they may say we’re crazy for trying. But it doesn’t matter what anyone says. What matters is what we want most. If this is what we want, we can push the doubts out of our minds and be confident. We can believe we can succeed and we can continue to push forward a little every day. If we have faith in ourselves, and if we keep going, we will be successful in whatever change we are seeking. We will overcome every obstacle, and we will win.

Today if you’re facing doubt over a decision you really want to achieve, push the doubt from your mind. Have faith. You have everything you need to succeed. You’ve already decided what you want. All you have to do is keep walking forward. You can overcome anything in the way, and you can climb any hill that lies ahead. You are strong and you will win. Keep your eyes on the goal. It’s closer than you think.

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Popping the Balloon

5 Oct

Confidence is something we all want. For some of us it comes easily. We feel strongly about our abilities and our self-worth, and are naturally confident in what we do and what we say. For others it’s not that easy. We may have scars from people putting us down or criticizing us, or we may feel we are unworthy in some way or another. When confidence comes easily it may seem second nature to us, but if we have to work at it sometimes it’s hard to achieve. If we’re trying hard to feel stronger about ourselves and doing things to build our confidence, it helps to have the support of those around us. But if someone close to us jabs us with a critical comment or says something derogatory, it may stop us in our tracks and send us spiraling downward again. Like popping a balloon, all the air rushes out of our progress and we feel deflated, and lost. But we aren’t balloons, and even though someone is rude or critical, we don’t have to believe what they say. We can let their comments bounce off us, and continue on our journey.

Sometimes a lack of confidence comes from a feeling of not fitting in. There are certain norms in every avenue of our lives. When most people do something a certain way, it becomes the norm. But fitting the norm just means we’re like a lot of other people. If we’re living our lives differently according to our personal desires, and we don’t match up with what’s expected, we’re being individuals. We don’t have to fit anybody’s idea of what we should be. We are entitled to be who we are, even if that’s different from everyone else. Being unique doesn’t diminish our value. Being different doesn’t make us less, but sometimes we can feel that way. It’s important to embrace the person we really are. There are many different colors in the world. Every one of them is unique and every one is beautiful in its own way. We’re the same. We are beautiful and worthwhile just as we are.

Building a more confident feeling of self-worth is a process. We can start by focusing on things we already do well. Maybe we can draw beautiful pictures, maybe we play an instrument, maybe we have an amazing vocabulary, or maybe we’re really good at listening. Everyone has something they do well, and once we identify what ours is, it will build us up as we move along.  If others don’t understand us, that’s okay. We’re all unique and get to design our lives to fit our personal desires. Some people won’t get us, some people won’t agree with what we’re doing, and some people won’t enjoy us as much as we might like. But no matter what others think, we may choose to live our lives any way we see fit.  We can do things our way and we can be confident.  Our way is the best way for us.

Today if you’re feeling like you’re not quite good enough, or like you don’t fit in, remember you are unique and special.  You do a lot of things well. Don’t compare yourself to what someone else thinks you should be. Be exactly who you really are. You have a lot to offer, and you have a lot to share. You are wonderful just as you are. You can do anything, and you don’t need anyone’s approval to succeed.

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The Road We Travel

1 Oct

Opinions about everything vary from one person to the next. Some people like one thing, and others hate it. We own our opinions and we’re entitled to them. We don’t have to change them even if everyone else disagrees. Opinions about us and the way we’re living our lives may vary. We may have friends who support our decisions, and others who think we’re way off the mark. Sometimes opinions color the way others feel about us, and if they’re negative they can also color how we feel about ourselves. We may live our lives any way we choose to, but if that brings us criticism it may impact our confidence. If someone we care about tells us we’re making stupid decisions, and we should do things differently, we may feel less confident. But just because someone has an opinion about us, that doesn’t mean it’s true. Although we may understand that, a negative comment about our choices or how we’re living can have a strong impact on us.

It’s important to be confident in who we are and what we’re doing. We are the only ones with all the facts about our lives. Those around us can only hear what we tell them, and observe what they see. They can’t feel the things we feel or understand our personal inspirations. Since they have only part of the story, their opinions may be inaccurate. However, if we care about them, their comments may carry a lot of weight, even if they’re the opposite of how we feel. When that happens we may become confused and forget which way we’re going. There are a lot of roads out there, and others may have an idea about which one is best for us. But in fact, the only road they get to pick is the one they’re on. We get to choose the one we travel.

Our lives belong to us. If we want to quit our jobs and join the circus, we can. If we want to move to another country, we can. If want to live alone, get married, eat pie for dinner, go base jumping, or open a tattoo shop, we can. We can do whatever we want to, and live our lives according to our personal choices. Others may disagree with us, or they may support us. But in the end what really matters is that we’re living our lives our way. If we aren’t hurting others, we have the right to do whatever we want to. We can be confident in our choices. Every single day we’re here is a gift. We can’t afford to waste a single moment doing what others think is best for us unless it’s also what we want. Doing it our way is the road to true happiness.

Today if you’ve been told you’re going the wrong way, or should change the way you’re doing things, be polite and thank the giver for their concern. And then determine what’s best for you. You can make decisions that are right for you even if they are different than what others think. Be strong and go forward on the road you’ve chosen. You know what you want and you know how to get it. Today belongs to you. Own it.

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