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Declining

20 Sep

“I’m disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means “no.” Captain Barbossa, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl

Throughout our lives, people will ask us to do many different things. They may ask us for something for them or someone else, it might be a personal favor or a professional agreement, or it may be something entirely different. It’s easier to navigate any interaction when everyone involved agrees and there is no dissension in the ranks. When any request comes it’s up to us to decide how we want to proceed. If there’s pressure from those around us we might agree even when we don’t want to. We’re always in control of our decisions and can do whatever we feel is best for us. But politics, pressure, and even coercion may come into play and when they do we may feel we have no option but to agree. If we’re concerned about what may happen if we decline a request it will impact our ability to choose objectively. But if the decision requires us to do something we feel is unethical, immoral or illegal, or if we simply don’t want to go along, despite any pressures placed on us, we can decline. We have enough courage to say no when we want to, and never have to do anything that compromises us in any way. Our lives are ours to design and every choice we make defines who we are. We can be true to our personal best and make decisions that reflect who we want to be. The paths we choose are up to us and no matter what others around us are doing, we can go our own way.

There are endless ideas about what we should do, where we should go, how we should dress, what we should eat, and so on. There is no one perfect way to live life, and everyone is entitled to make any choices they like. We don’t need the agreement of others to choose the paths we’ll follow or what we’ll do. We can be confident in our decisions even if they don’t match those around us. Our lives belong to us and the unique interpretation we bring enhances the world and brings depth to everyone’s experience. We can be confident in our uniqueness and make decisions that reflect what we want the most.

There are endless reasons to do the things we do. It’s always easy to go along with others and follow their lead and we may certainly choose that whenever we like. But every decision we make reflects who we really are and impacts the road ahead. If we review our steps before we make them and alter our course when we need to we will more effectively reach the goals we most desire. We are the only ones who decide where we’ll go. All destinations are possible and we can choose any road to travel.

Today if you’ve been asked to do something you don’t want to do but aren’t sure about declining, remember your decisions are important and your views are valuable. You can do anything you like. All options are possible and nothing is out of reach. You are strong, wise and powerful. You can design your life any way you like. Be confident and choose the roads that will take you where you most want to go.

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Thick Skin

12 Sep

We’re all different and everyone experiences the world in different ways.  The things that affect some of us deeply are hardly noticed by others.  We’re all unique in our expressions and interpretations and if we’re highly emotional we may feel developments more acutely than someone who is more pragmatic.  There is no wrong way to see the world but if we don’t feel strong or capable of managing whatever is happening, we may cave in and become overwhelmed.  Everyone has moments when they aren’t sure about what to do or don’t feel strong enough to face a particular issue.  It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times but we need not let that paralyze us.  Lots of things will happen as we go through our lives and some of them may be quite intense.  If we allow the situation to control us we may fall down and struggle to regain our footing.  There really isn’t anything too powerful for us to manage.  Even if we’re shocked and have the wind knocked out of us for a moment, we have the power to engage our reasoning and stand firm.  Life can be complicated and sometimes things will go wrong – perhaps very wrong.  We can face whatever comes and hold fast knowing we will overcome.  We are stronger and more resilient than we realize and nothing is strong enough to hold us down.  Every answer we need is there for us and we can trust in our ability to do whatever we must to move forward.  We can be confident and courageous when trials come and trust we will prevail.  Nothing can keep us from success.  We can always win.

Sometimes the very thing we think we could never endure actually happens to us.  We may have imagined we aren’t strong enough to survive a serious setback.  We may do everything in our power to prevent things from going wrong, but we only have control over ourselves and there are lots of decisions being made we know nothing about.  If the bottom falls out of our plans and everything falls apart we don’t need to fall apart with it.  We can face any storm and push through.  Disappointments will come but no matter what goes wrong we have everything we need to get through.  We are powerful and strong, and nothing can stop us.

We can do everything in our power to avoid conflict, stay out of trouble, and keep the peace, and still problems will arise.  It’s the nature of life.  There will always be differences and opposition no matter what we’re doing.  Trying to stay away from it might work for a time but eventually we’ll go through trying times that are difficult to navigate.  We may get confused, feel unsure, and struggle to figure out what to do next but if we keep pushing forward we will prevail.  Everything we need to succeed is there for us.  We need only trust ourselves to find it and continue forward.

Today if you’re overwhelmed with an issue you don’t think you can manage, stand strong.  You are wiser and more capable than you realize and nothing is too difficult for you to understand and manage.  Every answer you need is already there for you.  Be confident and trust yourself.  Nothing can keep you from success.

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The Pace

5 Sep

Everything we do has a beginning and an end.  Both are important but what goes on between them is generally where all the learning, and struggle take place.  There are often many things pressing on us and sometimes our “to do” list may be long and daunting.  As we navigate through it, we prioritize what is most important and try to do that first, and then hope to get as much of the rest done as possible.  If there are a lot of difficult items to address we may get weary.  If we’re exhausted it won’t really matter what is next to do, we may decide it isn’t worth the effort and simply stop.  We may reach a point when fatigue takes over and we’re done – whether the list has been completed or not.  Running out of steam and feeling the pull of exhaustion is a clue that perhaps we’ve planned to do more than is reasonable.  It’s good to set goals that stretch us and help us learn new things but if those goals are beyond what we can physically manage, it may be time to regroup and make a new plan.  We don’t have to move constantly and do everything at once.  We’re in control of how we spend our time and can plan our days to accomplish what is most important and allow ourselves time recharge.  We set the pace of how we’ll go forward.  By being realistic about what we can do and honoring our personal needs, we will accomplish much and feel energized.  We can take care of business and take care of ourselves at the same time.  We are strong and can manage many things well.  There isn’t anything we can’t do with careful planning and effective time management.  Everything is within reach and we can accomplish anything we set out to do.

There may be pressure from those around us to do more, do it faster, and push ourselves harder.  There are lots of different opinions about how we should live our lives and we may certainly listen to all of them.  We know what we want and how we want to accomplish it.  Everyone may choose the roads they want to travel and the speed they want to run.  We know who we are and will find success when we are true to what works for us individually.  Deciding the direction and pace we will travel will take us to the goal.  We can go anywhere and do anything, and we can do it our way.

The world defines success in many different ways.  To some it’s how fast the goal is accomplished.  To others it’s how far we push ourselves to get there.  We can decide what determines our personal success and it need not agree with anyone else’s ideas.  We’re all unique and our interpretations are valuable and important.  We may not see things the way others do, and we may not travel the same roads.  But we can still reach success and accomplish anything we desire.  There are endless roads to every destination.  We can travel our own way and find the treasure.

Today if you’re being pressured to get things done more quickly or to change direction, decide what you want the most and plan the way forward to get there.  You can do anything you desire and nothing will keep you from your goals.  Set the pace that works for you and step forward.  You know what you want and you will get there.

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Momentum

30 Aug

“Strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events.” Miriam-Webster

There are a lot of people around us all the time. We may not interact with all of them but there will be some with whom we build strong connections and come into contact with every day. Influence can be very powerful and if we’re involved with people who have strong ideas and opinions, our on-going contact with them may change our lives. Behaviors have a way of rubbing off on others and without even noticing, we may find we begin to look like them and act like them simply because of their constant interactions with us. Like an on-coming tide, there may be momentum in their influence over us. We may get swept up in what they’re doing, what they believe, and how they think we should live our lives. We can change anything about what we’re doing at any time but it’s important to be in control of the changes we’re making. Going along with someone because they are powerful and we admire them will not allow us to genuinely be who we are. Each of us is unique and have special gifts to offer the world that no one else can give. If we surrender that uniqueness to fit into someone else’s ideas, our gifts may remain unopened and our influence in the world may be quieted. We can be close to others and still hold onto our personal beliefs and desires. We can share our lives and still remain true to who we are. Momentum can be powerful but nothing is strong enough to carry us away if we are happy where we are. Our individuality is precious and by staying true to our core beliefs and values we enhance the lives of everyone around us.

When we’re children we mimic what our family does. We do things the way our parents tell us to and do not yet have our own personal style or belief system. As we grow and get to know the world we decide what is best for us and who we want to be. Every step we take defines us and creates the unique personality we share with others. By being ourselves, we bring diversity and variety to the world around us and enhance the experiences of others.

We are in control of our personal lives but if we don’t know what we stand for or who we are we may bend and follow every idea that comes along. There are a lot of different perspectives and we must decide which ones are best for us. We can’t be everything to everyone. We can clearly determine what we will and won’t do, and how we will live our lives. The design is ours to create and each day we can adjust and refine our way forward until we are happy with the lives we’re living.

Today if you’ve been following someone you admire who has definite ideas about what you should do, remember you know yourself better than anyone else. Decide how you want to live your life and then move forward in ways that bring you every blessing you desire. You are a gift to the world just as you are. Show us your uniqueness and share your life with us. We all want to know you. Your presence is a great gift to us all.

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Defining the Goal

28 Aug

The world is filled with endless opportunity and options from which to choose. We can do anything and go anywhere. There are endless things to do and we can decide on any goal or destination we desire. If we start moving forward without any planning we might end up in places we want to go or someplace else. If we want real success and satisfaction we must define where we want to go before we begin the journey and then move forward with purpose toward the goals we want. Road trips can be fun but it’s exhausting and unfulfilling to drive around indefinitely with no destination in sight. Just taking things as they come and following one path after another will take us to all kinds of different places. We’ll see a lot of things but if we haven’t decided where we want to go, we won’t arrive anywhere that takes us closer to our goals. True joy comes when we first decide where we want to go, define what we want to accomplish, and then start forward toward the goals we’ve chosen. There are endless roads to travel and we can decide which ones are ours and determine the way ahead. Nothing is out of reach and each step we take can move us closer to what we want to achieve. Our lives can be filled with success when we take the time to decide what we want and then move forward with determination. All options are possible and with our dreams in mind we can reach any destination we desire.

We can simply go through the motions of our days and hope for things to happen that will open the doors to where we want to go. We can leave our lives up to chance and let things roll out as they will, letting each day unfold on its own and see where it takes us. Chances are we’ll probably end up in some places we like and we may even reach some destinations we have in mind. But letting our lives play out with no thought or direction will not move us toward the goals we most want to accomplish. We have control over every decision we make and when we’re ready can purposely move toward the things we dream about and achieve every goal we desire.

Our personal goals are ours to define and are unique to what we want to accomplish. If we follow along with others around us and meet the goals they set we may achieve success but it will be success they have defined. We deserve to have the lives we want the most and can determine what that means. We can do things our way and in our own time. Every dream is possible if we decide we want to achieve it. We can plan our way forward and choose each road that takes us closer to the destinations we’ve chosen. We can take control and move forward toward the goals we desire. We are smart enough and strong enough to achieve anything. We know what we want and with planning and determination we will prevail.

Today if you’ve been coasting along hoping your life will go the way you want it to, take control of your decisions and decide to succeed. Take a step forward toward the goals you most want to achieve and focus on what will bring you happiness. You are amazing and capable, and nothing is out of reach. Every goal is possible and with determination and planning you will reach success.

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