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The Choice is Yours

24 Oct

We all have the ability to make whatever decisions we choose.  We can direct our lives and decide which roads we want to take.  But sometimes those close to us or those with authority over us have different ideas about what we should do.  They may voice their opinions and hope we’ll change our minds, and if we don’t may bring pressure to bear until we give in.  We may ultimately choose a path we don’t want because it’s important to someone we care about, or we are forced because of circumstance, or we are tired of the disagreement and just want to move forward even if it’s in a direction we haven’t chosen.  We may give up trying to explain our point of view and simply take the path we’re pressured to take.  Sometimes those choices will work out and sometimes we’ll end up somewhere we don’t want to be and will have to backtrack and find our way again.  We all have personal inspiration about our lives and we know what’s best for us.  Even if everyone else thinks we should go one way, we can still choose the path we determine we need to take.  It isn’t comfortable to be in conflict with those around us but if we are steadfast and respectful of our differences we may proceed with confidence and in time the conflict will resolve.

When we follow along with decisions we haven’t chosen and things go well we may feel great relief and learn new things that help us going forward.  There are limitless paths we can travel and if we end up on foreign territory we may feel unsettled and unsure.  But each step we take moves us forward and if we are headed to the goal we’re seeking, even if it’s in a different direction than we would have chosen, we will find success.  We never know what we don’t know and sometimes those around us have more information and can see more clearly going forward.  If we are following along we will find new experiences as we go and once the goal is reached our understanding of the situation will be enriched.  Sometimes it doesn’t matter which way we travel as long as we reach the right destination.

However, sometimes after agreeing to take a path we didn’t choose things go wrong.  There may be difficult complications we may have avoided or roadblocks that require us to start again and again.  It’s easy at times like that to imagine our choice would have been better but the fact is, we are living our choice.  If we decide to go along with someone else’s ideas instead of our own, we choose to take what comes.  We have all the power we need to direct our lives and we own every decision we make.  If we go along with others and things go badly we own the road just as much as those who pressured us into taking it.  We can be honest about our part in the decision no matter what happens.  If things go wrong we can work to find the right direction and correct our course.

Today if you’re being pressured to go one way and you want to go another you may make the decision that is best for you.  You may choose your own path or go along with something else.  But remember the decision is yours.  Use your best judgment and choose the path that’s best for you.  You have everything you need to find success.

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Wait For It

14 Oct

There are times in our lives when we have big decisions to make.  When we know we must decide on something very important we may hesitate until we feel comfortable.  Although we are capable of looking at all the options before us and determining exactly where we want to go, sometimes we wait before making the decision to proceed. We can’t tell the future and even if we’re sure we know which way to turn, things could go wrong.  There may be more information available to us if we wait.  We might see things differently later or maybe others will get involved.  There is no way to know exactly where any decision will take us and if we aren’t confident we may be hesitant.  Waiting might help us feel better in the short run, but really all it does is put off the inevitable.  We are going to have to choose.  If we have done everything we can to make the best choice we can go ahead and take the leap.  We are capable of making good decisions and we can be strong and determined when we make them.  What comes will come and whatever happens we will manage it.  If it doesn’t turn out the way we thought it would, we can modify and still go forward.

There is an old saying that “He who hesitates is lost.”  There may be times when we wait to decide something and end up losing an opportunity.  Or other times when we hesitate and the situation changes excluding us from the chance to be involved.  It’s disheartening to discover we missed out on something important because we failed to be involved when the decision was needed.  We all want to get good results from our choices but we won’t get anywhere unless we move forward.  We will never have all the facts or know all the possible outcomes.  We can look at things objectively and carefully, and then weighing everything equally choose the best path forward.  We can be confident that no matter what road we choose we will get to the goal.

Every decision we make carries some risk.  Some people manage risk better than others.  Those who do are more easily able to quickly make decisions based on the options before them.  Others prefer time to think and ponder the possible outcomes before choosing.  Both methods have benefits and drawbacks.  If we’re quick on the draw we may get to the destination quickly but miss a detail that affects the outcome.  If we take too long to think about our choice we may see things more clearly but miss our chance to participate.  We can find a compromise between the two, neither going too fast nor too slow, and come to excellent conclusions.  Big decisions tend to be important in our lives.  We are capable of finding the best answers to them and we are courageous enough to decide the way forward.  We have everything we need to choose well and find success.

Today if you’re facing a big decision and are hesitant to move forward, look at all your options carefully and decide what you want the most.  You know how to choose well and you will make the right decision.  You have everything you need to succeed.  Be brave and choose with confidence.

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The Best Gift

3 Oct

For many of us, our lives are filled with activity.  There are things we must accomplish, things we want to do and constant responsibilities that take our time.  Many of us stay busy and sometimes our personal needs fall to the end of the list.  We can be so consumed with the needs of others and pending projects we can forget to take care of ourselves.  It’s good to be actively engaged and productive but the quality of our lives may be affected if we don’t remember our needs are important too.  And the quality of our lives is a gift we give to ourselves.  Although others may do things for us that help, in the end how we take care of our personal needs is up to us.  We have control over how we manage our time and we can give ourselves the best care and consideration even when we’re busy.  We can put ourselves first before anything else.  We can set time aside to do something we enjoy that will bring us respite and refreshment.  And we can make the quality of our lives a priority.  If we take care of our needs first we will have more energy and be happier.  We’ll feel more at peace if we’ve taken the time we need before we give the rest away.  The quality of our lives is the best gift we can give ourselves, and it is always in our power.

Nobody knows exactly how our days go but us.  We interact with others who ask for our time unaware of any personal parameters.  Sometimes we can choose to help or not and other times because of the situation we may be expected to agree.  If there is something we want to be involved in the time spent may be rewarding.  But even with the reward if we expend all our energies outward there will be nothing left for us.  It’s possible to give too much.  Every well will go dry if the water isn’t replenished.  If we believe we don’t deserve personal time we may neglect it and after a while that neglect may affect our demeanor and comfort.  We may find situations that used to make us feel satisfied are no longer enjoyable.  We may feel no accomplishment when we complete a task because there are other tasks waiting for our attention.  Constantly doing for others will take its toll and we may feel used up and exhausted, unhappy with our lives and unsettled.

If we want to be happy we must make taking care of ourselves a priority.  If we are pro-active in planning for the things that mean the most to us – getting to the gym, taking a walk, time for reading, just time out – we’ll feel more relaxed and at peace as we attend to all our responsibilities.  Taking care of ourselves is the most important task we have.  If we are tired, unwell, stressed and over worked, we will be less successful in our projects.  Remembering the quality of our lives is important and doing what is needed to honor that will make that quality high.  We deserve the very best we have to offer and we can give it to ourselves.

Today if you’ve got a lot to accomplish remember to take time out for yourself.  You are the most important thing you need to take care of today.  Give yourself the best gift you can by taking care of your needs first.  You’ll feel calmer and happier and everything else will be easier.

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Emergency

28 Sep

Lots of things can happen as we go through life.  There may be unexpected surprises that suddenly change everything, emergency situations that require us to think fast, and we may lose our breath trying to figure out what’s happened.  Everything can change in an instant and when it does we may feel confused and shaken.  Sometimes we have to act quickly and our first instinct is exactly what we need to do.  But there may be times when we are pressed by others to hurry and do something that feels wrong and we aren’t sure.  If the situation isn’t life threatening we can take a moment to step back and catch our breath and assess what’s happening.  We can review all the possible options before we leap.  The answer we find may be what we’ve been told, but sometimes we discover the best road forward is in the opposite direction.  Taking the time to stop and see the situation clearly before running ahead will help us prevent further complications and make mistakes that may take us far from the answers we need.

Some people jump to action the moment a sudden change arises.  They run forward eager to solve the situation and get through it as quickly as possible.  In the rush they miss important cues and subtle suggestions that will help.  We can’t see everything clearly when we’re running past it.  If we want the best answer we have to see the whole picture and rushing through any situation will often prevent us from being able to see everything.  If we jump the moment something happens and react instead of respond carefully we may find ourselves in a more complicated situation.  Doing the first thing that comes to mind is sometimes the best answer but often it’s just the first answer.  Every problem has a solution and if we stop before we jump and think about everything that’s happening we will find options.  Then we can choose the option that works best overall instead of the one that works fast.  Getting the problem solved fast isn’t always the best plan.  Getting it solved well is the objective.

When others are involved in a sudden issue there may be conflicting ideas about what needs to happen.  If the situation is intense extreme ideas may be thrown out and a lot of information may be presented in a short amount of time.  The confluence of all the chatter may create more confusion.  The loudest voice is sometimes the voice chosen simply because it can be heard above the fray and may not be the best solution.  Even in complicated times of duress we can take control and find a moment to evaluate before we proceed.  We have everything we need to find the best way forward.  We can manage whatever comes to us and we can find the answers to any situation.  There is generally enough time to evaluate, and we can carefully and calmly find our way through any problem before us.

Today if you’re suddenly in a situation where you have to find an important answer and there is pressure to get there quickly, evaluate the whole picture first.  You have everything you need to succeed.  Don’t rush, be wise and listen carefully.  All the answers are there and you will find the best way forward.

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Seeds

22 Aug

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” Indian Proverb

When we’re planting a garden we decide what kinds of vegetables or flowers we want and purchase the seeds we need.  If we want eggplant we buy eggplant seeds and if we want petunias we buy those.  We completely understand we cannot buy pansy seeds and expect to grow petunias.  It’s obvious we need to buy the exact seeds for the result we’re seeking.  Our lives work the same way.  Whatever we do brings a corresponding result.  If we are kind, chances are others will be kind to us in return.  If we are moody and angry, we will generally get a different response.  And if we are dishonest and manipulative, our lives will often bring a harvest of disharmony and distrust.  Everything has a payoff and those payoffs are directly related to what we extend.  Everything we do is like planting a seed.  The returns we get depend on the seeds we plant.  If we are aware and pro-active in our choices, we will get the harvest we want.

It’s easy to plow through our lives without paying attention.  We can let little annoyances become part of our outward expressions and pay no attention to how our behavior impacts those around us.  If we’re having a bad day we can be grumpy and moody and let everyone else know.  But sharing our bad mood with others will do nothing to make us feel better and may have a negative impact on the lives of those around us.  We can plant the seeds of frustration and unhappiness and they will grow.  Or we can remember that our bad day is just a passage and we can keep our unhappiness to ourselves.  We don’t have to be secretive or hide out, but we can smile at those around us even when we don’t feel our best and project a positive outlook even when things aren’t going our way.  We can plant seeds of harmony even when we aren’t feeling our best.

Everything we do today will have an impact on what comes to us tomorrow.  Just like planting seeds in our garden, everything we do will bring us a corresponding response.  If we are dishonest in our dealings with others we may get away with it for a time but eventually we will lose the trust of those around us and our lives will be impacted.  If we manipulate situations to gain what we want regardless of how it affects others we may lose valuable associations and relationships as a result.  The law of the harvest is immutable.  We will reap what we sow.  What we do will always bring a corresponding reaction. There is no way to avoid it.  We may get away with planting discord for a time but eventually the plant will grow and we’ll be accountable for the harvest.  We can pay attention and choose our seeds carefully.  We can have happy and productive lives filled with reward and fulfillment if we plant the seeds that will bring them.

Today be sure the things you do and say will bring you the results you’re seeking.  Remember you’re planting seeds with everything you do.  Choose carefully and plant a garden that will bring you the rewards you want most.

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