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Topping Off

25 Oct

Sometimes when someone offers us something delicious to drink we want a full glass and ask them to top it off. We want them to go all the way to the rim to get the most out of the experience. It’s great to get a full measure of something we really enjoy. Each drop is delightful and having a full glass is pleasing. But there are other times when things aren’t going well and we feel overwhelmed. When we don’t think we can handle any more complications and something else goes wrong we may feel like we’re tapped out. Topping off our glass of misery isn’t where we want to be. We may think we can’t handle any more problems and are at the point of breaking. However, no matter how hard the challenge we’re facing becomes or how many disappointments we must endure we have reserves equal to our needs. Even if we feel we have nothing left and are pressed further we will find the courage and strength to get through. We are really much stronger than we think we are. Hard times come to us all and even when we don’t think we can face them, we march through them. And as we overcome each obstacle and carry the heavy weight of endurance we become stronger and learn more about ourselves.

Serious disappointments, extreme loss, and acute sorrow are difficult burdens to bear. We may be stunned by the situations we must face and feel there is no way we can survive them. At the beginning of an extremely difficult challenge we may be sure it will overcome us and have no idea how to navigate through it. But as we take each step forward, moment by moment, we will find our way and gain more strength to face the problem. Desperation may fill our minds from time to time but we can calm it by reaching for the reserves of courage deep within us. There really is nothing too difficult for us to overcome and time is on our side. We can face any problem step by step and unravel our way back to peace of mind.

The old saying, “No pain, no gain” is often true. Resistance brings strength. Each time we face and overcome something difficult we become stronger. Although we don’t look forward to facing hard times and nobody wants to suffer, the pressure it takes to overcome difficult challenges is what clarifies our strengths and defines our courage. We are capable of facing anything that comes to us. We can reach deep inside ourselves and find all the determination and fortitude we need to overcome any problem we must face. There is nothing too difficult for us and we can be successful in every challenge.

Today if you’re facing something very hard and feel you can’t manage it, you can. You are much stronger and more capable than you imagine. You have everything you need to face whatever comes. You are invincible and powerful. Reach deep for the courage you need. Walk forward and look ahead. Success is waiting for you.

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In the Web

17 Oct

Spider webs are interesting.  They can be very intricate and quite large, and the detail of each is amazing and often quite beautiful.  Despite their beauty, spider webs are built as a snare to catch prey.  They are sticky and when the intended creature gets too close they are caught up and entangled, unable to escape.  Each individual strand is very strong and they are efficient traps for insects and other morsels the spider wishes to catch.  Although we don’t spin the same sorts of webs as spiders do, it’s possible to get caught up in a different kind of web.  If we are involved with people who lie, or cheat, or manipulate, or are dishonest they may entangle us in a web of deceit that is strong and may hold us tightly in place.  If we’re closely involved with someone who is dishonest and can’t see the entire picture, we may become ensnared.  It’s good to have close relationships but it’s important to be able to step back from time to time to see the whole story.  Confusion is often an important clue.  If we feel confused about a situation it can be a clue that we need to step back and see the bigger picture.  Deceit can be very painful to face but finding truth is imperative in everything we do.  If we get caught in a web, truth will show us the way out.

Living dishonestly can take many interpretations.  Maybe we don’t tell the entire truth when telling only part of it benefits us.  Maybe we don’t do everything we say we’ll do because it’s difficult and time consuming.  Maybe we pretend to be something we aren’t so we can look different to someone we want to impress.  Whatever means of dishonesty we employ may get us by for a time but eventually the truth will rise and we will be held accountable.  It may seem that sometimes a little dishonesty won’t hurt anything and will make things easier.  Unfortunately, however, once the lie is uncovered our lives will be more complicated and may be more difficult as we try to untangle things.  Like a large, complex web that is sticky and thick, dishonesty will eventually trip us up and we’ll have to tear it down to get back to the truth.

Living an honest and clean life takes effort.  Although we may see the road we should take, choosing it may be difficult and require courage.  We are certainly capable of making good choices and being truthful in all things.  When we are honest the road may be a little harder than if we’d lied, and it may take a little longer than if we’d cheated, but in the end choosing well will bring a victory clear of deception and filled with content.  We can always choose the right and find our way.  We deserve the best life possible.  Choosing to live honestly in all our dealings will bring us happiness.  We can offer our best to the world and make all our dreams come true, honestly and ethically.

Today if you have choices to make and you’re thinking about cutting corners or being dishonest to make them easier, think again.  Choose the best way forward and be honest about everything you do.  Be the very best you can be and make your best decisions today. You have greatness in you and the world needs your example.  Be the light and show us the way.

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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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Blockade

13 Oct

We all have ideas about how we want our lives to go and what we want to do. When there is something that entices us, something we want, or a destination we’ve decided on, we may be captivated by our plans to achieve it. It’s great when we’re able to succeed and gain the prize but sometimes no matter what we do we can’t get there. Sometimes the door is shut – and locked – and nothing we do will open it. There is a blockade in our path. Perhaps others are involved and blocking our way, or maybe the goal we’re seeking isn’t available to us, or it’s a desired relationship with someone else who isn’t interested in us. Whatever the reason, it’s hard to face a stop sign when we want to proceed. But if there truly is no way to get to the goal we will eventually have to accept the situation as it is. We may try to go around whatever is in our way, or try to negotiate to get in, or a dozen other tactics to try to move forward, but if the answer is truly no we will have to let it go. It’s very difficult to turn away from something we want badly. It can be hard to change and move in another direction but sometimes that’s where we are.

Facing a great disappointment takes time to process. At first we may think it’s a temporary setback and we’ll eventually get to the prize. We may convince ourselves the timing just isn’t right but feel that will change. There is nothing wrong with having a positive attitude but if the goal we’re seeking is truly out of reach it’s better to face the situation and move forward in another direction. There is little to be gained by living in a dream state. Reality is what will bring us truth and truth is what brings happiness. If we need time to grieve over the disappointment, we can take it. If we need a change of scenery, we can get it. And if we need to re-evaluate our plans going forward, we can do that. Serious disappointments aren’t easy to accept and they take time to get through. But we are capable of managing anything we have to face and if we give ourselves the time we need we can move on.

When things go wrong and we’re struggling to find our way we may feel like failures. We may overreact to the disappointment and make it personal. We may believe the lie that we always fail, that nothing we do every goes right, or that nobody will ever love us. Sometimes we will make mistakes and sometimes we will fail. And sometimes even if we haven’t done anything wrong things won’t go our way. It’s important to remember we have many excellent qualities and are capable of doing many things well. We do some things very well. Even if our plans fail, we aren’t failures. Things just didn’t go our way this time. Next time everything will be different. We can be confident in our abilities, and remember we are intelligent and lovable just as we are. Plans may fail but we don’t have to. We can learn and grow and go forward with courage to face the next challenge. There is a lot of success coming our way. We can focus on that and move forward with confidence.

Today if you’re facing a terrible disappointment and feel shaken and unsure, remember all the times you’ve succeeded in the past. There is greatness in you and many more successes ahead. Look forward and be strong. Be confident. You have so much going for you. The future is bright and it’s waiting for you.

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Really?

5 Oct

When we’re enchanted by someone or a situation, we don’t always see things exactly as they are.  We may be entranced by appearances and mesmerized by beautiful words.  If we really want it to be real we may be convinced despite all indications to the contrary.  We may get caught up in fiction and fail to see truth.  As time passes there may be cracks in the armor but if we’re convinced that what we believe is real we may simply ignore them.  Living in the land of fiction rarely brings happiness and often results in pain.  Truth is invincible and will rise and no matter where we are we will eventually face it.  If we’ve been truly duped we may be seriously hurt.  It’s hard to accept that anyone would purposely deceive us and if we care about them, we may feel devastated.  There isn’t anything we can’t face when we’re ready.  The trick is to live so we’re always willing to see things as they really are and live our lives truthfully.  When we really want something we may buy into a situation that is false but being courageous enough to evaluate it and move forward honestly is the only way to real happiness.

Successful relationships require honesty.  We must be honest about who we are and what we’re doing.  Lying, deceiving, pretending or in any way being untruthful can destroy even the strongest relationship.  If the other party likes certain things we don’t enjoy we can pretend we enjoy them too.  We can pretend to have personality traits we know will be attractive to someone else, or say things we don’t really mean but which we know will bring someone closer to us.  We can do anything we want to convince others to be a part of our lives.  But every deception will be uncovered in time.  It may come to light immediately, or it may take time but it will be revealed.  Once dishonesty has been uncovered, trust is damaged and the relationship will be hurt.  It may take serious time to restore trust and in some cases the relationship may be broken.

Everyone is different and we each have special gifts to offer.  We are valuable and precious in our own way.  We can be confident in honoring that value and understanding we are a gift to the world.  We don’t have to fit anyone else’s model to be loved.  We don’t have to pretend to be something we aren’t.  We are perfect just as we are.  Understanding that and accepting ourselves as we are will help us live more genuinely.  We can be perfectly honest about what we like and what we don’t, our personalities, our unique traits and what we have to offer.  We don’t have blend to fit in and we don’t have to change to be loved.  We are who we are and that’s enough.  We can live our lives honestly and openly and be the best we can be.

Today if you find you’ve been deceived and are hurt, learn as much as you can from the experience.  You are capable of finding truth and accepting it.  If you’ve been pretending to be something you aren’t remember how precious you are just being yourself. You have so much to offer.  Be the best you can be today.  Be brave.  You are lovable just as you are.

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