Archive | Decisions RSS feed for this section

Choosing the Ending

17 Aug

There is a popular children’s book series where there are several different endings to the stories.  After reading the basic story in the book, the reader can choose the ending they want from a few at the end.  It’s a great and creative idea that allows us to imagine how it would be if we could decide how things end up.  In our lives it would be wonderful – amazing even – if we could decide where our decisions would take us and design how everything would come together.  We could do the things we wanted without concern for the result because we could always change the ending if we didn’t like where we landed.  But life is reality, and we have all the freedom and power to make any decisions we like but no control over where those decisions take us.  Sometimes everything works out exactly as we hope and other times we may end up in a place that is nowhere we want to be.  There is no way to predict the future and all we can do is look at the options available and make the best choices possible.  Life will take us places we never dream we will go and sometimes we may end up somewhere that isn’t comfortable or easy.  We don’t have to stay anywhere forever and always have the power to change our situations, whatever they may be.  If we land in foreign territory and don’t like the scenery or the players involved, we can move.  Although we can’t control everything, we can always control our own lives.  We can change our location, our relationships, our job, or anything else that isn’t working.  We deserve complete happiness and can do whatever we need to achieve it.

There are all kinds of opinions about life and how we should be living.  We can listen to all the advice we’re given and decide how much of it we want to take, if any.  Some people have very strong ideas about how things should go and if we’re different from them they may try to persuade us to change our ways.  We are responsible for our own lives and can follow their example if we like, or continue to do things our own way.  We know what we want and who we want to be.  Our expressions are ours alone and never have to mimic anyone else.  The unique gifts we bring are ours to offer and enhance the world in ways nobody else could.

When we make decisions that take us far from where we thought we were headed we can choose to go back and start again, or investigate our new situation and see what it brings.  Change offers us new insights and a wider vision of our world.  Foreign territory may be intimidating at first but we can learn about it and make it ours.  There are countless roads to explore and endless locations to find.  If we end up someplace new, instead of running back to home plate, we can see what the new landscape offers us.  There are great blessings just waiting to be discovered and we can be confident and sure we will find them.

Today if a choice you made took you somewhere you had no intention of going, before you retreat, take a look around.  You may find great pleasure and unexpected benefits as you get to know something new.  The world is filled with possibilities and they are all open to you.  Be confident and open all the doors.  There are blessings waiting for you.

Tags: , ,

Just and True

16 Jul

We are all accountable for everything we do.  When we make decisions that work out well we may feel great satisfaction that we chose wisely.  We are capable of making excellent choices but we aren’t perfect and there will be times when we may choose something that doesn’t go the way we want it to.  If we make decisions that bring unhappiness or negatively impact our lives or those around us, we may feel the ramifications going forward.  Life is complex and there are often many factors involved in every decision we make. If we’re dishonest and blatantly do things to hurt others or deceive, we may try to deflect our involvement by making excuses or blaming others.  If we choose badly we may point to the influence of those around us, or the stress we’ve been under, or the complications of the decision that were misleading, or even the weather.  All the excuses may be valid but we still own the decision.  It is right and just to be accountable for what we do.  If we want to live honestly we must accept that justice – even if it means we will suffer – must prevail.  Reasons and excuses for a bad decision may bring understanding of how the choice was made but they cannot change the result.  We are going to make mistakes and when we do we can accept the error, learn all we can from it, do what is needed to correct our course, amend anything we’ve damaged, and move forward.  We can be honest in accepting our part and take what we’ve learned with us to help us in the future.

After a bad decision we might distract those around us from the truth by creating a lot of noise blaming others or the situation.  We might get a pass if we are loud and convincing enough but nothing can change the past and what has happened will remain.  If we refuse to openly admit the error and look at it clearly we won’t learn anything from the experience.  They say those who refuse to learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them, and that’s likely true.  If we don’t use the experience as a teaching tool, we may repeat the same behaviors again and again, even if they bring us hardship.  Instead, we can determine to see everything completely and learn as much as possible so we don’t suffer through the same situation again.

When we’re responsible for a situation that turns out badly, we may try to deny our part in the mess as a way of escaping accountability.  We may be able to fool others for a while but truth always rises.  Denial simply delays the inevitable.  Everyone makes mistakes and there is no need to pretend things are different than they are.  We are capable of managing any situation and if we’ve stumbled we can right ourselves and start again.

Today if you’ve made a decision that has brought you trouble, look at the situation openly and honestly.  Be accountable for your actions and do what is needed to correct your way forward.  You are wise and capable of making excellent choices.  Don’t let a mistake hold you back.  Be confident and start again.  Success is always possible and you will reach it.

Tags: , ,

Chipping Away

18 Jun

Confidence helps us find success in every arena of our lives.  When we’re sure of our next steps and believe we will reach the goal, the inevitable complications and detours are easier to see beyond and we are able to move ahead with determination and focus.  Personal confidence is important but may be fragile from time to time.  If someone criticizes choices we’ve made it may chip away a bit of our certainty.  If we have a few failures in a row, a little more may chip off and if we make a decision that brings us trouble and trials, we may lose even more.  As we face difficulties going forward, bit by bit we may lose our confidence.  If we believe we cannot succeed we will never reach the destinations we desire.  There are a lot of things that can go wrong but our confidence is built within us and we are in complete control of how weak or strong it becomes.  Failure will come at some time but failure is just an indicator that the path we chose did not take us to the destination we were seeking.  It doesn’t mean we can’t choose again and it’s not the end of the road.  Finding out what doesn’t work is as important and finding out what does.  We need not internalize the disappointment indefinitely.  We can reset, and begin again in a new direction.  Success is always possible and we can bolster our confidence when needed and continue on.  Our lives belong to us and every dream we desire can become reality.  There isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.  We can learn from mistakes and trust ourselves to move forward and reach any goal we desire.

When others disagree with a goal we’ve set and believe we are going down the wrong road, if they cannot dissuade us from our course, they may choose to sabotage us to divert us from the path.  If they are determined they may stand in front of us to block us from proceeding.  The opinions of others belong to them and have no bearing on our personal decisions.  We don’t need the agreement of anyone to make personal choices.  We know who we are and what we want and have everything we need to achieve it.

There will always be many reasons not to do something we dream about.  Maybe it’ll take a lot of time, cost money, take us from our routines and require us to learn a new skill, or countless other details.  If we focus on the difficulties of trying something new we will never leave the comfort of where we are.  It’s impossible to make our dreams come true by doing the same things over and over again.  We are capable of change and can accomplish anything.  All possibilities are available and we can go anywhere and do anything we desire.  The whole world is there for us and we can achieve every single dream.

Today if you’ve lost confidence because of something that’s happened and aren’t sure you have what it takes to succeed, step back and remember all the times you’ve overcome trials and hardship.  You are strong and capable and nothing is too difficult for you.  Be sure.  Every dream is possible.  Step forward and reach beyond your grasp.  Everything you want is there for you and you will achieve it.  Nothing is out of reach.

Tags: , ,

Darkness

14 May

The world is a big place with millions of people making all kinds of decisions.  Many people are kind and loving, and make choices that bring goodness and charity.  However, there is wickedness all around us and sometimes those who seek it make decisions that create problems and danger for the rest of us.  Although there is plenty of light for us to trust and rely on, there is also an element of darkness just a step away.  As we navigate our lives sometimes our path is influenced by pressures around us and we may end up somewhere far away from where we want to be.  Those who wish to control or manipulate can be very cunning and convincing, and if we aren’t careful we may be fooled into following them.  When we allow others to control our lives or color our decisions we may choose things that impact us negatively.  We know what we want and have all the power we need to achieve anything we desire.  We can be wise in our decisions and choose the best way forward even in the midst of confusion.  If we take the time to see everything objectively before we decide we will find the road that will take us where we want to go.  Our lives belong to us and we are responsible for every decision we make.  If we take a wrong turn we can change direction and redirect our course going forward.  Nothing is permanent and even if we’ve gone far away from where we want to be we can find our way back.  We deserve every happiness and success.  Nothing is impossible and we can do anything we desire.

There are many influences around us all the time and if someone wants something from us and it compromises our standards they may try to convince us by telling us they’ll only ask us this once and never again.  If we care for them we may go along but if we step away from our core values one time it will be easier to do it again.  Once we open the door to options outside our ethical standards we may muddy the waters going forward and it may become harder and harder to find the road back to where we really want to be.

Some people lie to accomplish their objectives.  If we do, we may well reach the goal but the lies will follow us and until we’re ready to tell the complete truth will live dishonestly.  There is nothing positive to be gained by deceit or trickery.  It will only lead to more lies and more confusion.  Our lives may get so tangled up and turbulent it may be hard to find our way forward.  We can always stop and correct our course and choose another road.  We can turn toward truth and choose wisdom going forward.  When we do we will find comfort and clarity, and every option will be available to us.

Today if you’ve been tempted to do something that is not in keeping with your personal standards, remember who you are.  You are precious and valuable, and every choice you make expresses your worth.  Nothing is more important than your personal integrity.  Be wise and make excellent choices.  They will take you where you want to go and bring you increased success.  You are powerful and intelligent, and nothing is out of reach.  Choose wisely and every destination will be possible.

Tags: , ,

Keeping it Hidden

7 May

There is great potential to achieve amazing things in our lives.  We can do anything we want to do and nothing is too difficult to manage when our desire for success is sufficient.  Although we all have greatness within us there may be times we keep it hidden and to ourselves.  Perhaps our goals are personal and we don’t want to share them.  Maybe we don’t like a lot of attention and are concerned that if we achieve the things we desire others with notice and we’ll be in the spotlight.  Keeping our talents and possibilities to ourselves is certainly our prerogative, but it may keep us from acting on the things we want to do.  We don’t have to project our intentions to those around us but we can begin forward toward them.  It’s important and appropriate to seek after the things we want the most in our lives even if they are very different from what we’re living now.  We are in complete control of our personal destiny and can go anywhere we want to go.  Moving toward the lives we want the most will bring us great satisfaction and happiness.  We don’t have to be concerned about the opinions of others and don’t need agreement to choose what is best for us.  Our lives belong to us and we may live them any way we decide.  The road to happiness is always there and when we choose the paths we most want to travel we will find it.  Every dream is possible and we have everything we need to accomplish anything we desire.  There is true greatness within us and it is strong enough to take us wherever we want to go.  All roads are available and nothing can hold us back.  We can reach any goal we desire and become the people we most want to be.

Some believe planning to make our dreams real is naïve and childish.  They may prefer a life of limits and defined parameters that is expected and planned.  There is nothing wrong with a structured life but every dream is possible if we are willing to do what is needed to make it come true.  We are not hindered by anything in our quest to move forward.  We can do anything and nothing is too far away to reach.  Believing in our possibilities and trusting in our choices will take us wherever we want to go.

Fear of the unknown is something we all deal with from time to time.  We know where we are and what to expect from the lives we’re living now.  Stepping away from the path that is well paved and easy and onto a foreign road that promises to take us to our most desired location takes courage. We can’t read the future and have no way of knowing what lies ahead.  We have all the wisdom we need to face anything that comes and when we’re ready to move toward our dreams we will manage the way forward.  We can do anything.  We can have the lives we desire and find complete happiness.

Today if you’ve been holding back from stepping toward your dreams because you aren’t sure and want to keep your desires to yourself, take the first step forward.  You can do anything you choose and nothing is out of reach.  Set your sites on your goals and proceed with confidence.  There is nothing too difficult for you to overcome and all your dreams can come true.

Tags: , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →