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Anchored

18 Dec

Nothing in life is permanent and change is constant. Every day something new comes along, all the plans we’ve made may shift, and we may suddenly be facing an entirely new landscape. The winds of change are unpredictable and may arise unexpectedly. We never know what will happen next, and although we may try to be prepared for unforeseen surprises, we might be taken aback when they arrive. It’s easy to move forward when the road ahead is paved and clear, is well known and well-traveled. We may set out sure of success, and everything may go exactly as planned. Or everything may turn upside down. There is no way to predict the future. All we can do is cope with whatever happens the best we can, and alter our plans and direction in ways that enable us to continue. When we’re going through tumultuous times and everything is unsure, we are never completely adrift in the wind. We have internal anchors that help us stay focused and remind us of our capacity for success. These anchors are created and enriched with each accomplishment we achieve. We are never so far out of our comfort zone that we can’t find our way. There will never be a time when we are so untethered and adrift that we will permanently fail. All the answers we need, even in uncertain times, are already there for us, and the wisdom and knowledge we’ve attained so far will guide us to them. By trusting ourselves and remembering everything we’ve overcome so far, we can summon the courage we need to face anything. Our anchors will always be there to hold us firmly and securely. Hard times will come, things will go wrong, the road may disappear, but we will prevail. Every success is there for us, and with determination and calm, we will reach them all.

When our lives are going well and things are working out the way we want them to, we may feel at ease and relaxed. Enjoying conflict free moments gives us time to rest and consider our options for the future, so that when things change, and clouds appear, we will be confident in moving forward. We are stronger and more powerful than we realize, and nothing can keep us from our goals. Every dream we desire is possible and we have everything we need to make them ours.

Some people think life is like a scorecard. They believe that trouble happens because of something we did wrong. It’s likely we’ll all make mistakes along the way, but problems may arise we have no control over regardless of what we do. We can do everything right and still the road may turn because of circumstances beyond our reach. Problems will come but they cannot hold us in place. We will find the way ahead, and reach the destinations we desire.

Today if you feel like you’re in a whirlwind of trouble and can’t find your footing, stop and remember all the times you’ve succeeded already. You are intelligent and capable, and nothing is too difficult for you to manage. Trust yourself and step forward with confidence. You will find every answer. All your dreams are still there for you. Step forward and claim them.

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Stirring It

16 Nov

We make continual decisions as we go through our lives. Each choice has a result and if we’re careful and take our time, chances are the results we get will be the ones we hope for. But we are complex beings and there is sometimes more involved than just making a good decision. If what we’re doing will affect those around us, they will play a part in the choices we make. Maybe they hurt us in the past, and we carry bitter feelings that affect which way we’ll go. If there is a way to get what we want and hurt them back in the process, we might opt for that even if it’s not exactly the best choice to make. There is always the possibility of stirring up trouble if we want to. We might think it’s fair – you hurt me, I hurt you – evens the score. Well maybe. But evening the score rarely brings lasting satisfaction and might cause more trouble for us moving forward. Life is complicated enough without trying to tangle it up further by purposely hurting someone else. Nobody gets a free pass, and we’re all going to get hurt at some point. What we do with that is up to us. We can seek revenge, and determine to get it no matter what. We could let it eat away at us and consume our thoughts. Or we can get through it more wisely by learning all we can from what’s happened, and using that knowledge to help propel us forward in the future. One thing is certain – the anger and resentment we hold will only hurt us. It will have no affect on those who caused it. We don’t need to be hurt any more than what we’ve already experienced. By holding onto everything we’ve learned, we can let go of any bad feelings and step forward confident we’ll reach success. Nobody is strong enough to stop us from reaching our goals. They may stand in our way, but there are other roads we can travel. We are powerful and wise, and will prevail.

Our lives are ours to design. We can reach any goal or destination we choose. It doesn’t matter if others disagree with us or try to stop us in our tracks. We are intelligent and will find the way forward. Some people are threatened by the success of others, and if we’re winning, may try to prevent us from advancing. They may well delay our progress, but nothing stays the same forever, and in time, we’ll be able to navigate around them. Every dream is there for us, and we can do anything with patience and determination.

Some people love to stir up conflict. They enjoy seeing people confused and frustrated. If we must interact with them, we may become the subject of their difficult intervention. They may do things to hurt us or make our progress forward harder than it needs to be. We can’t make anyone else behave appropriately, but we can control everything we do. They may goad us and tease us, but we never have to take the bait. We can be confident and make excellent choices to be true to who we are and where we want to go.

Today if you’re dealing with someone who is trying to pull you away from your goals, keep your focus on what you want the most. You are stronger and more powerful than you think you are. Be confident. All your dreams are possible, and they will be yours.

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Overkill

18 Sep

As we interact with everyone around us, there will be times when we’re in agreement with what’s happening, and other times when we’ll disagree. We’re all individual and have our own unique ideas about life and how things should go. When everyone wants the same things it’s easy to move forward, but if we are in direct opposition there will be conflict. It’s normal to have disagreements, and how we handle them when they arise will color what happens next. If we’re determined to get our way, and absolutely refuse to budge, we may get angry when others won’t bend to our will. Instead of simply working the problem and trying to find a solution, our emotions may take over and we may do and say things that insult, or hurt those involved, hoping that if we make them feel bad enough, they’ll comply. Our fight or flight reflex is in full control, and we aren’t running anywhere. We are determined to fight it out until we win. By yelling, insulting, demeaning, or whatever other destructive tool we can find, we decide we’ll squash anyone who opposes our point of view. We’ll use anything, no matter how extreme, to get our way. Going overboard in our reactions during times of disagreement will never help us move forward. Using a cannon when all we need is a fly swatter will only cause bad feelings, and broken trust. Nobody wants to work with someone who can’t control their temper or accept other opinions. Even if we feel strongly and are sure our way is the best way forward, instead of losing our minds and trying to force the issue, we can express ourselves openly and with clarity, and then let everyone decide how to proceed. All opinions are important, and we can be patient, and open toward resolution. Success is always possible, and with clarity and confidence, we can reach every destination.

We’re all at different places on our own journeys. If we’ve moved forward quickly and are ahead of the group, we may think we’re entitled to give advice and correction to those coming along. Everyone appreciates help when they’re struggling, but nobody wants to constantly be told what to do. We can be positive and encouraging, and share whatever information we’ve gained, and then let others decide how they’ll proceed. We can lead the way without directing every turn.

Everyone has their own methods for navigating the road ahead. Some people like to move slowly and learn everything they can with each step. Others prefer to run faster and only take what they think they’ll need moving forward. There is no one perfect way to live, and there is no need to micro-manage or design anyone else’s journey. We can trust those around us to make their own decisions, and be available for help and advice if they seek it.

Today if you’re sure you know the best way forward, share your views with those around you and let everyone decide how they want to proceed. Every idea has value, and we can be confident that together, we’ll find the best road forward. You are wise and capable, and have nothing to prove. Be confident and open to everything. Nothing will keep you from any destination you desire, and success will be yours.

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Complete Stop

19 Aug

Life is uncertain and no matter how hard we try to plan, there will be unexpected developments from time to time that gum up the works and complicate our way forward. They may be minor, just inconveniences we have to work around, or full on disasters that stop us completely and block the road ahead. Or they might be a million variations in between. When we’re trying to get to a goal and things get in the way, it’s frustrating. If there are continual issues that keep us from advancing it can be maddening. It’s hard to endure problem after problem, and keep a positive outlook. Being held in place against our will isn’t comfortable, and we may lose our temper while we have to wait. We can rage against the situation, scream and yell, and try to force our way through, and that might work, but may make everything worse. The energy it takes to have a full-blown tantrum will take away from the energy we need to find our way forward. Hard times will come to us all. They aren’t easy to face and we might end up completely confused for a time, standing still trying to figure out what to do. We can raise our voice, and tell everyone around us how bad we feel, or we can step back and quietly look at what’s happened and review all the options before us. There is never only one way to get to any destination. There will always be another road possible, and with patience and focus, we will find the best way forward. Nothing is strong enough to hold us in place indefinitely. Every single goal is possible, and there isn’t any problem or complication powerful enough to keep us from whatever we desire. We can trust ourselves to find every answer, and be confident of success.

We share the world with lots of other people making their own choices and decisions. Sometimes those decisions may impact our lives in ways that make it harder for us to move ahead. We only have control over ourselves, and if someone does something that gets in the way of our plans, we can modify them and find another way around. We know what we want, and have everything we need to do anything we desire. We can change direction when we need to, and reach the goal.

When we make an excellent plan, we may be sure it’s the only way for us to succeed. If something goes wrong, someone drops the ball, or an unforeseen development turns everything upside down, we might panic, thinking we’ll never win. Although our original idea may have been effective, if it’s no longer viable, we don’t have to give up. We have all the wisdom and patience we need to evaluate all the possibilities, and come up with a new way forward. We are smarter and more powerful than we imagine, and nothing is out of reach.

Today if the road you were on has turned and the way to your goal is blocked, remember how creative and intelligent you are. You have overcome many complications and problems already, and have everything you need to find your way again. All the answers you need are already there for you. Trust yourself, and step forward. Every destination is waiting, an you can reach them all.

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Thin Skin

7 Aug

There are all kinds of people in the world and they each have their own ideas about life and how things should go. We know who we are, and are sure about what we want and how we want to move forward. It’s easy to make friends and feel comfortable when those around us are like us. When they believe the same things we do, and understand our point of view, it’s easy to connect and build alliances. But the world is a big place, and people come from many diverse backgrounds. There will be many others who are vastly different than we are, and their views may be in direct opposition to what we believe is right. That does not make them wrong, or wicked, or less than us. It only makes them different. If we can’t tolerate anything outside our own ideas, it will be very difficult to interact with them. We are entitled to believe anything we desire and we can form our own opinions about everything in life. But if we’re so thin skinned we cannot tolerate anyone who is different, it may be difficult for us to get along. Some people say they “celebrate diversity” but when someone questions their ideas and presents an opposing view, they shut down or become angry. No two people are exactly the same. Everyone has their own perspective, and unless they are hurting others, each has value. We don’t have to adopt anything we don’t want, and can decide how we’ll live our own lives. We can be confident in our views, and strong enough to accept other points of view, even if we don’t understand or agree with them. Life is full of variety and variation. We can be welcoming and respect other points of view, and still hold onto to what is most important. Everyone has worth, and we can honor each individual, and still choose our own way forward.

When we’re growing up, what we experience in our families seems normal and right. As we mature, we begin to see other expressions and understand that our experience is unique to us and not universal. We can hold onto exactly what makes us comfortable and refuse to change, or we can embrace other points of view and allow them to enrich our understanding of the world around us. Holding on may feel comfortable, but will never allow us to expand our thinking and become more accepting.

Life would be easier if everyone was the same. If we were all on the same road with the same ideas, there would be less conflict and more harmony. That may be true, but it’s the differences that bring great richness to our experience, and broaden our thinking. We can accept difference and uniqueness, and honor the right for everyone to express their own ideas and viewpoints. Life is a great teacher, and by being open and welcoming, we will gain great insight and wisdom.

Today if you want everyone to agree with you and find it hard to accept different points of view, remember we are all important and worthwhile. Each expression has value. Be open to new ideas that will enhance your experience and help you understand the world. You are incredible and capable, and nothing is beyond your reach. Let others tell you who they are, and welcome new ideas. Your life will be enriched, and you’ll find great satisfaction moving forward.

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