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Unlimited

17 Nov

“Find a way.”  Diana Nyad

There are many inspirational people in the world who have faced incredible odds and overcome them.  At the age of 64, swimmer Diana Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida, a journey of 110 miles.  When asked how she faced the many challenges of this quest including sharks, jelly fish stings, extreme fatigue and damaging sun burn she said every time things looked impossible she would determine to find a way forward.  Her desire to succeed was so great that no matter how hard things looked she knew she could find a way – and she did.  We may never face a physical challenge as great as this but we will endure difficult situations that test our resolve and willingness to go forward.  Sometimes we may be confident of success but other times we may doubt our ability to survive.  There really isn’t anything we can’t overcome and there are no problems without resolutions.  We discover hidden courage and resilience when we walk through turbulent and threatening trials.  Everything we need is already there within us.  We can reach deep and capture all the strength necessary to win.  No matter what comes we can find a way to move forward and get to the other side.  We are stronger than we realize.  Nothing will hold us down and we will succeed.

In baseball, when a hitter swings and misses the ball a strike is called.  After three strikes the hitter is out and can no longer continue to try.  Although we may stumble, there are no strikeouts in our lives.  We have unlimited chances to find the answers we need.  There is no scorecard and we will never be out of the game.  If we don’t succeed with the first choice, we can choose again.  If our second choice fails as well, we can continue.  We learn as we go and each fumble teaches us something new and gives us more information.  Nothing will keep us from finding the solution and with each step forward we will get closer to the goal.

After trying several options that don’t work we may become discouraged and believe we will never succeed.  There are rarely times in our lives when we must find the answers within a given time frame.  We can take all the time we need to find the best way forward.  There is no one right way to do anything.  We have unlimited options from which to choose and we will find the answers we need.  If we trust ourselves and take the time necessary to see all the options available we will find a way.  There isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.  We are strong and capable and nothing is too hard for us to overcome.

Today if you’re facing a difficult situation and feel like you can’t figure it out, step back and take a moment to see everything clearly.  You are smarter than you think you are and you know what you need to do.  The answers will come and you will find the way forward.  Everything is already there for you and you will succeed.  Trust yourself.  You are amazing and you will find the way.

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Being the Lion

30 Oct

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.”  Mark Twain

We will face all kinds of obstacles and problems as we navigate through our lives.  We might face a time when what lies before us is daunting, intimidating, or even terrifying, and we may be unsure we can move forward.  Fear is a natural response when we don’t know what will happen or the situation is out of our control and yet has power over us.  It is not a weakness but a tool to help us understand our situation clearly.  It warns us and alerts us to possible dangers ahead, and we can use it to courageously find the way forward.  Nobody will get through their lives without experiencing fear from time to time.  It’s normal and natural and we can take control when it comes.  Stepping back from the situation and seeing it objectively will help us understand where we are and discern our options moving forward.  Courage is always there deep within us and we can access it, use it, and embrace it to help us walk through anything that comes.  No matter how frightening the situation, there is an answer.  There is a resolution to every problem we face.  We can take a breath, look at where we are and assess the best way forward.  Taking time to think will enable us to employ the courage deep within us and help us find our way.  There isn’t anything we can’t do and no problem too intense for us resolve.  We are braver than we think we are and have everything we need to overcome anything.  We can use fear to teach us and guide us, and then do what is needed to take the next step.

If we try to keep our lives small and limit our exposure to others things may be more predictable but that will not keep us from facing difficult times.  There will always be other people coming in and out of our lives, influencing what happens by their decisions.  We can only control what we do and it’s impossible to totally eliminate the influence of others in our lives.  When that influence brings uncertainty and fear, we can still step forward and do what is best for us.  We are always in control and nothing will keep us in place.

If we suffer from panic and worry we may believe we cannot overcome very difficult situations.  What we think will impact how we act.  We can be confident enough to understand that no matter what comes to us we have everything we need to find our way through.  There really is no situation too difficult or complex for us to unravel and overcome.  We have enough wisdom and courage to do anything.  Nothing is too strong or difficult for us to figure out.  We can be courageous and find the success we seek

Today if you’re in a situation that is intimidating and difficult and you aren’t sure you can manage it, call on the courage deep within you.  You already possess everything you need to succeed and there is nothing too complex for you to overcome.  Be confident.  You are wise and strong.  Go forward with certainty that you will win.  Success is there for you and you will reach it.

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Fire Sale

24 Oct

We each have our own standards and who we are is defined by our personal values and how we manifest them in our lives. The true definition of who we are is marked not by what we say we believe, but by what we actually do. We can hold fast to our standards, or sell out whenever we choose. Selling out is easy to do and we may simply go along with whatever is happening and ignore the beliefs we talk about. Our lives are fluid and ever changing, and every decision we make takes us somewhere. We are always free to choose but not free to choose the results of those choices. Being true to what we value and holding fast to nobility and honesty will always take us to places that enrich and encourage us. Decisions to keep achieving the goals we most want aren’t always easy to make, and there will always be those around us suggesting other options. If we want real happiness and success the only way to reach it is to determine what is most important and who we want to be. Setting our course ahead following what we value most will bring us happiness. There are endless diversions and distractions all around us. If we look we will always find other places to go. But if we stay true on the course we desire most we will reach our destination and find peace and contentment. We can go anywhere, do anything, and be anyone. Deciding how best to navigate our way forward will make us the people we want to become.

Although many things in life are flexible, some things are absolute. There is no sliding scale for honesty. We may believe if we’re honest most of the time we’re fine, and we probably are. But being anything most of the time will never make us genuine. If we really want to be honest, caring and kind, we must commit to adopting those behaviors all the time. Of course, nobody is perfect and there will be times we may slip but if we are constant in our desire to hold true, over time, we will succeed.

Actors work at playing roles. They pretend to be something they are not and can be quite convincing. If we want to seem different than we really are in order to fit in or to go along, we may act in ways that take us away from where we want to be. There can be a lot of pressure to assimilate and instead of standing firm we may bend in order to blend. The problem with bending away from what we want most is that it takes us further from our goal. We know what we need to do and where we want to go. We don’t have to fit into anyone else’s model or blend into any situation. Our lives are ours and we may direct them according to what is most important to us. We can find every success and reach any destination we desire. True happiness is there for us and we will find it.

Today if you’ve been modifying your actions away from what you most want for yourself, turn back and be true to what is most important to you. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Step forward on your own path and hold fast to your values. The world is blessed because you are here. We need your good influence. Be confident and step ahead.

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Standing Alone

23 Oct

Most of us are born into some kind of family unit, often with others around us much of the time.  As we grow we learn from watching them, talking to them, and living our lives alongside them.  As adults we may have large groups of people we communicate with every day or small gatherings where we share our lives.  We may become partners, friends and companions, or make different types of connections to those around us.  As children, if we’ve had a strong family experience, we may believe that everyone in the world will help us and guide us along as we grow.  When we first step into adulthood we soon realize we are the only ones really looking out for us and our successes depend solely on our personal determination and direction. No matter how close our ties are, and no matter how many connections we make we are independently living our lives.  Nobody can live our lives for us and we stand alone in every choice we make.  We choose our own way forward every day.  We are strong and powerful and no matter where we are or what is going on we have everything we need to manage our lives effectively.  There isn’t a problem too complex for us to solve and even in the most difficult of times we will find our way through.  We stand alone with every decision but standing alone isn’t a deterrent.  It allows us to independently choose our own path and reach any destination we desire.

Some people like to have others around them all the time.  They like to engage them with every decision they make and feel more confident if someone else helps them make choices.  While it’s helpful to get advice when we need it, if we rely on others to help us make every decision we may forget we have everything we need already to choose wisely.  We know what we want and can confidently determine what we want to do and where we want to go.  We can be sure of our ability to make excellent decisions and move forward toward success.

Understanding that we are ultimately living our lives independently doesn’t mean we don’t need or want others around us.  It’s good to make connections and build relationships that make life more enjoyable.  We can share our lives as much as we like and allow others to get close.  Being able to make decisions on our own and respect our personal self-reliance doesn’t preclude us from allowing others to connect with us.  We can be part of a group and still maintain our personal autonomy.  We can be strong standing alone even when we stand side by side.  Our lives belong to us and we own every decision we make.  We can be strong, wise, careful and confident.  The world is ours for the taking and success is always there for us.  There isn’t anything we can’t do and do well.

Today if you’ve been leaning on others to help you make decisions, remember how strong and capable you are.  You already know what you want and have everything you need to find success.  There is greatness in you.  Nothing will stop you from winning.  Stand strong and go forward with confidence.  The road ahead is there for you and you will reach every destination.

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Let Me

3 Oct

Life is unpredictable and our situations can change in an instant. One minute we may be traveling along confidently and then suddenly something may happen and everything is completely overturned. We cannot predict what will come and we never really know what lies ahead. If we’re forced into a new reality without warning that has upset our stability and foundation, we may be unsure or concerned about how to proceed. If our lives have been upended and we can’t find our footing, the simple offer of help from someone else can feel like a lifeline going forward. When someone steps in and says, “Let me,” we may feel enormous relief. The offer from someone else to help, to lift, and to assist can be priceless when we are overcome. Nobody can do everything all the time and we all face moments when we need help. The gift of service from those around us can make even the darkest moments lighter. We’re all in this together. In times of crisis, in moments of doubt, and situations of uncertainty, the gift of someone willing to walk with us, to hold us up, and help us face whatever is before us, is the most treasured gift we could receive. Letting others in when we are overcome, and allowing them to help us move forward will enable us to withstand any storm or trial. There isn’t anything we can’t do but we all need help from time to time. That help will allow us to move forward with confidence and enable us to aide others once our trial has passed. Life is all about learning and each experience teaches us valuable lessons. We can move through every challenge with others standing beside us and find success together.

We are all connected far more deeply than we may realize. The depth of our connection is often visible when disaster strikes and people are suffering. There are countless stories of selfless heroism in the face of danger. When we see others in challenging situations who need help, we can stand firm and say, “Let me.” Offering our strength when others are weak will enlarge us and make us equal to the task. We have so much to offer and sharing it with those around us sustains them through the trial and enriches us.

When we serve others, our lives are enhanced and refined. The act of giving often returns more to us than anticipated. The blessings of service are limitless and our compassion for those around us will increase when we serve. Trouble comes to us all. Offering our help and receiving help from others builds our connections and makes our world stronger.

Today if someone near you is struggling, offer your help and assistance. Do what you can to encourage and support. Strengthen your connections to others through service. If you’re facing a trial and feel overwhelmed, allow others to lift you and help you through. You are never alone and all the help you need is there for you. Be strong, be brave, and go forward with confidence. There isn’t thing we can’t do together.

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