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Means to an End

20 Mar

We all have things we dream about, goals we want to accomplish and dreams we want to realize. Some of them come easily and others are difficult and complicated, and take a lot of effort and time to achieve. We may face a time when someone offers us the possibility of a shortcut to a destination we really want. Maybe we want a promotion at work, and our current boss tells us if we work on a special project we’ll likely get it. Generally, in cases like this, there isn’t an iron clad promise that the prize will be ours if we comply, but merely the hint that it’ll happen. If we believe it will help move us forward and take the bet, we may choose to do as we’re asked. It’s good to try new things, and work hard, but sometimes the cost is great. Suppose we must work a lot of overtime, and deal with difficult people, and do all kinds of unpleasant tasks to get the job done, and then suppose it takes far longer than we thought it would at the beginning. If we are convinced it’s a necessary means to the end we desire, we may continue on and stick it out. When we’re done, and the project is finished, we might actually get the promotion, but nothing is sure until it happens. If we do, the trials and struggles may have been worth it, but what if it doesn’t happen? What if something changes and the promise we believed in does not come to fruition? Then what? Once trust has been broken it’s very hard to re-establish, and if we must continue to work with someone who’s broken it, the situation may be very difficult to endure. We are in control of our lives and can make any decisions we like, but our we are important, and every day is a gift. Before we accept any suggestion, we can take the time we need to fully understand what is involved, what we’ll have to give up to accomplish the task, and what we’ll lose if things don’t work out. If it’s a chance we’re willing to take, we can proceed forward, but if the costs are high, and there is no guarantee of success, we may decide to wait. Whatever decision we make will take us somewhere. By taking our time and choosing wisely, we can ensure it will take us closer to where we really want to be. We are highly intelligent and perfectly capable of seeing things clearly and making excellent decisions. We can trust ourselves to make the best choice and find great satisfaction moving forward.

Families are complicated and although we love those involved, our relationships may be difficult and trying at times. There may be a lot of pressure to do things the same way as other family members, and if we want to take a different road, there may be conflict and hard feelings. We are entitled to live our lives any way we like, but going against the family norm can be difficult and stressful. If there is a lot of contention, we may buckle and simply decide to set our own desires aside and go with the flow to end the distress. We may be able to follow along for a while, but our dreams will continue to pester us, and if we really want to be happy, at some point we’re going to have to strike out on our own. Being different does not mean being less. We know who we are and what we want, and with courage and determination, we can have the lives we desire most.

We may be in a personal relationship with someone who has ideas about how we should live our lives which may be very different from what we really want. They may suggest what we should do, where we should go, what we should wear, and who we should be friends with. We’re all entitled to our own opinions, but nobody knows us better than we know ourselves. Even someone very successful doesn’t know more about what we want than we do. We can be confident with the decisions we make and trust ourselves to find our own way forward. Every destination is possible and with focus and clarity, we will reach success.

Today remember you are in control of your life. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Every single road is open and waiting, and all your dreams are possible. With determination and confidence, nothing can keep you from success. Decide how you want to proceed and take the first step forward. You are amazing and capable, and nothing is too difficult for you. Be sure and move forward. Every success is already there for you and you will reach them all.

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Stronger Than the Storm

14 Feb

Everyone wants an easy life where everything goes as planned and we’re never unhappy.  It would be great if we could order our days ahead of time to ensure we get exactly what we want. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and even when we try hard to plan carefully and watch our step moving forward, sometimes things just go wrong. None of us lives on a deserted island and there will always be people coming in and out of our lives. They may inadvertently make decisions that affect us negatively, or they may purposely stand in our way. We might have no idea why our plans went up in smoke and everything fell apart, and while we’re in the midst of trying to figure out what to do next, we may feel lost and uncertain. We can’t control the weather. What comes comes, and even the most proficient and wise meteorologist has no control of what will happen. Storms will appear – sometimes intensely and unexpectedly. No matter where we are or what we’re doing, we’ll have to navigate through. Weather is one thing, but we may experience difficult storms in our personal life. Something may change without notice, we may lose something we treasure, or someone we love may leave us. We may lose our jobs or a million other possibilities that upset our lives and turn everything upside down. At the beginning we may feel frozen in place as we try to understand what’s happened, and we may have no idea how to proceed. But we are stronger and wiser than we imagine, and no matter what comes, we have everything we need to find our way forward. Trouble will come. There is no one perfect way to handle it. The answers we need will be there and when we’re ready, we can step forward, confident, and sure of success.

Sometimes it seems that everything we touch falls apart. It’s as though the planets have aligned against us and nothing will ever work out. When we’re struggling and there’s a lot going wrong, we may believe we will never be successful. We may as well just sit down and give up. Of course, we can do anything we like and if we want to surrender, we certainly can. But giving in and giving up will never take us where we most want to go.  All our dreams are there for us and nothing is strong enough to hold us in place forever. We can take the time we need to decide how we want to proceed, and then begin again.

There is no such thing as bad luck.  Luck is simply when preparedness and opportunity meet. We may get prepared to do something, but the opportunity to start isn’t available at this time. That’s not bad luck and it doesn’t mean we can’t succeed.  It only means the goal is unavailable right now. Nothing is permanent and when our situation changes we can start again. We know who we and what we want, and we already possess everything we need to reach any goal we desire. By trusting ourselves, and standing firm, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.

Today if a storm is raging and everything is upside down, take the time you need to look at the situation objectively. You are smarter than you think you are, and you will find your way. The whole world is there for you and nothing can keep you from success. Stand strong and look ahead. Every goal is possible, and you can make them yours.

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Ho Ho Ho and All That Stuff

1 Dec

The holidays are a busy time and can be stressful and exhausting. There may be parties we’re expected to attend, traditions everyone wants to continue, or other situations we may or may not want to do. Everyone is unique and we all have our own ideas about how things should go and what we should do. Although we all understand that intellectually, there may be times when we are pressed to go along with others. We might even pressure someone else to follow our lead because it’s what we enjoy and we want them to participate. We’re in control of our own lives, but if someone in authority over us expects us to do things a certain way, we may have to comply. Family expectations and traditions are powerful. We may choose to go along just to keep the peace and get through with as little conflict as possible. No matter what’s going on or how we feel about it, we can work through any situation and find the best way forward. We never have to do anything we aren’t comfortable with and we can decline any offer with grace and patience. There may be much to accomplish, but with careful planning, and taking the time we need for ourselves, we will prevail. We know who we are and what we want. By keeping our eyes on the goal ahead, and moving forward with clarity, we will succeed.

Everyone wants to be happy but personal happiness is expressed in different ways. We don’t have to jump up and down, and laugh all day long to convince ourselves or others that we’re content. Our outward expressions are unique. Some people share every emotion with those around them and others are quiet and still even when they feel great joy. We can share our optimism and happiness with those around us if we like, or we may keep things to ourselves. Our lives are ours to design and every option is possible.

If we’re stressed and having a hard time, it can be very annoying if someone near us is bounding with holiday fun. We may wish they’d just put a sock in it and fade away. If we need time to ourselves to regroup and settle, we can step away from the activity around us and zone out for a while. Sometimes just a few minutes of quiet and peace can greatly refresh us and give us the boost we’re seeking. There are endless ways to express ourselves at any moment. We can do what works for us and find the happiness we desire.

Today if you’re tired and stressed, and feel pressure to participate in activities around you, decide what you really want. If you need time alone, take it. You are the most important person in your life. Your desires are important, and every dream is possible. Decide how you want to proceed, and step forward. You are wise and capable, and nothing is out of reach. Be happy and choose the way ahead. There isn’t anything you can’t do.

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Beaten and Destroyed

14 Oct

Everyone wants an easy, happy life. We all want to find true love, win the lottery and be enormously successful. It’s nice to think about the situations we dream of that we believe will bring us endless happiness and long lasting peace, but life isn’t nirvana and no matter who we are or what we’re doing, odds are at some point things will go wrong. There is contention and opposition in everything, and if we’re on the wrong side of the story, we may suffer greatly. We may face failure in business, we may lose our money, our lovers may walk out, a serious health issue may develop, or a million other unexpected possibilities. If the situation is devastating and at first we have no idea how to proceed, we may feel beaten down and lost. It may seem our lives are destroyed and there is no way to recover. Bad things will come to us all, serious and unbelievable events may knock us down, and we may be sure we’re doomed and will never survive. It’s hard to have faith in the light when all we can see is darkness. Terrible things may happen but nothing stays the same indefinitely. No matter what’s gone wrong or fallen apart, or how our plans have blown up, everything will eventually change. Even when we’re unsure, we can trust that we will find our way. Even if it seems there is no answer, an answer will come. We are stronger and more powerful than we think we are, and there isn’t anything too difficult for us to manage and manage well. We can stand firm in the wind, and be confident we will prevail.

There are few things more painful than betrayal. It’s hard to understand when someone we trust or love intentionally does something to hurt us. Instead of wasting time trying to figure out why they did what they did, despite the pain, we can step back and look at the situation objectively. Their actions have been destructive, but they have given us more information that will help us as we move forward. We know them better now than we did before, and can do what is needed to protect ourselves in the future. The pain will eventually ease and we will find our way forward.

If we do something that causes a serious setback, we may lose our confidence. It may seem we aren’t smart enough, or capable enough, or any number of other factors. None of that is true. Even when we make excellent decisions, we have no control over what happens next. Failure is painful but it gives us valuable information. By focusing on what we’re learning, we can use it to help us move forward, and be confident and sure of success.

Today if everything has fallen apart and you are devastated and unsure, remember how strong and capable you are. The whole world is blessed and embellished because you are here. Look at everything objectively and learn all you can, and then start again. You have so much to offer.  Trust yourself and move forward. Every dream awaits, and you will make them yours.

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Smackdown

14 Sep

We share the world with lots and lots of other people, and each of us has our own ideas about what we should do and how things should go. We may find others who share many of our opinions, but no two people are exactly the same. Although we may try to always get along with those around us, we will likely face times of conflict because we don’t share the same viewpoints. If the interaction is civil and polite, we may simply agree to disagree, but some people are very sure their way is the only correct way to proceed. If we don’t agree with them, we may face serious contention, and even become engaged in an argument or worse. If they are strong and have some sort of control over us, and will not tolerate dissent, they may smack us down to shut us up and hold us in place. We may be forced to follow along despite our personal views. Others may be able to hold us down for a time, but nothing is permanent, and the situation will change. If there’s nothing we can do for now, we can remain in place and wait patiently until a new door opens. We are entitled to our own opinions and can live our lives any way we like, and it’s hard if we must temporarily follow something we don’t agree with. By keeping our eyes focused on the road ahead, we will be ready when an opening appears that allows us to modify our situation. Our ideas and perspectives are important and valuable, and we can trust ourselves to find ways to communicate them in ways that are positive and move us forward. There isn’t anything or anyone powerful enough to hold us down forever, and with clarity and patience, we will find the way ahead.

If we’re sure we have the answers and know the best way forward, we may try to convince others to follow us. We may say we respect their opinions but if they are different than our own, we may try persuade them to follow us. If they disagree, and we’re adamant, we may try whatever tactics we can find to make them comply. What we do defines who we are, and bullying or forcing others to follow us will never help us build the connections we seek. If we’re willing to bend and listen to other viewpoints, cooperation and compromise will open the doors ahead.

There are many roads to every goal and there is never only one way to succeed. Everyone’s ideas are worthwhile, and by listening to other suggestions, we can find the best way forward. New ideas bring fresh perspectives that may not have been seen initially. We are intelligent and will always have a lot of answers but nobody knows everything. By being open and flexible, we will be able to evaluate many different possibilities that enable us to move ahead with confidence and clarity, and reach the goal.

Today remember that everyone has something to offer. The world is filled with differences that enrich us and enhance the road ahead. Listen carefully to any suggestions you receive and decide on the best way forward. You are amazing and intelligent, and nothing is out of reach. Decide how you want to proceed, and take the first step. Every single goal is possible and nothing can keep you from success. 

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