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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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Fences

2 Sep

If we live purposefully and with determination, our lives can be a great adventure.  We can try anything we want and push our limits as far as we wish.  There is nothing we can’t do.  But although we can make all the personal decisions we want, we’ll sometimes run into fences that block our path.  We may be able to see over them or through them to the other side but they stand in our way and keep us from going forward.  If they are tall enough and strong enough they may be impenetrable.  There may be no way to get over them from where we are.  However, no fence goes on forever.  Every fence, no matter how long or high, has a place to cross and if we look for it we’ll find it.  But we have to want to get to the other side badly enough to search.  It might mean going out of our way or even backing up a bit to get there but if we look hard enough and persevere long enough there is no fence that will stop us.  We just have to decide we’re going to get to the other side no matter what.  We can do anything we want.  If we want to cross over any barrier, we will.

Few things in life go as planned.  There are always unforeseen events and complications and sometimes it can seem what we want to do is impossible.  But often whether something is within our reach or not depends on how much we want to achieve it.  If we try to do something we aren’t really convinced we want, the first obstacle may end our journey.  But if there is something very important to us, something we can’t imagine not getting to, even if serious complications arise we will find a way to navigate them.  It’s easy to say, “I couldn’t do it,” and sometimes that may be true.  But often what we really mean is it wasn’t worth what was required to accomplish the goal.  There are times when after we begin a journey we realize it’s far more difficult than we imagined and we may decide to let it go.  That doesn’t mean we couldn’t do it, but that we’ve chosen not to do it.  We can make any decisions we like and we can change our course any time we choose.  If something doesn’t work, if the fence is higher or longer than we want to navigate, we can change our minds and move onto another goal.  We can choose where we go at every turn.

If we decide to change our course, the decision is ours and ours alone.  We don’t have to justify it, we don’t need permission, and we don’t have to feel bad for deciding to go another way.  Others in our lives may have ideas about what we should and shouldn’t do but their opinions need not control our decisions.  We can live our lives our way.  If we want to change our minds, we can.  But if we determine to stay the course despite the fences and obstacles in our way, each day we continue forward will bring us closer to our goal.  We can take the time we need to succeed.  We can do it our own way.  Our lives belong to us.  We are perfectly capable of managing them and doing what is most important to us.

Today if you’re on a path and there’s a fence in your way but you want to stay the course, keep walking.  Walk beside it until you find the opening you need.  If you want to change course and do something else you can.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  Whatever you decide is best for you is the right decision.  You have everything you need to succeed.

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Bright Lights

1 Sep

We try to make good decisions most of the time. We weigh the options, think about results, and try to plan for the best outcomes. Most of the time. Sometimes when we’re in a rush and things are pressing on us we may make a decision out of desperation that takes us somewhere we aren’t happy about. Of course we can always change course and correct the situation but the detour may take time and keep us from where we want to go. When we’re in a dark room it’s hard to find anything and we may trip on something we can’t see. When there’s little light we have to rely on our instincts and try to navigate through without getting hurt. Just like being in a dark room if we make decisions without all the facts we may trip and fall. If we can’t see well, we may stumble and choose a path that doesn’t work. To make our best decisions we need to see everything possible and turn on all the lights. It’s amazing how different things look in the light if we’ve been traveling in the dark. Light clarifies our path and shows us everything that may trip us. We have the power to turn the lights on before we decide by stopping and waiting for the situation to clear. Most decisions can withstand the time it takes for us to get the information we need to choose well. Taking a little more time instead of rushing will help us make the best decisions we can and have the best chance of taking us to where we really want to go.

When we’re in the process of making an important decision there are sometimes others involved. They may have their own personal ideas about how things should go and what we should do, and they may try to influence us. Some people have their own agendas and may try to pressure us into choosing what benefits them. We may get all kinds of advice about what we should or shouldn’t do. We can listen to everyone else’s opinion if we like and we can weigh all the possibilities but in the end if the decision is ours we can do what we feel is best. We know where we want to go and how we want things to be. We can listen to other ideas and still choose what is best for us.

Sometimes we may make a decision in a situation that is unclear because we are pressured to move quickly. If we don’t have enough time to see clearly we may choose something that doesn’t work out. Nobody makes bad decisions on purpose thinking they will take them to success. If we’ve made a bad choice in a rush, and can now see clearly where we faltered we can go back and correct our course. Nothing is permanent in life and everything can be changed. There isn’t anything we can’t change if we want to badly enough. Bright lights are needed to make the best decisions. We can turn the light all the way up by taking our time and getting the facts first. We are smart enough and wise enough to make good choices, and we can take the time we need to ensure we do.

Today if you feel pressure to make a decision but aren’t sure, take a step back and see the facts clearly. Take the time you need to ensure your decision takes you exactly where you want to go. Turn the lights all the way up so you can see the road ahead. You will choose well and find your way. You have everything you need to succeed.

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Unsung

19 Aug

As we go through our days we have limitless choices to make.  Every day brings a new challenge or question to answer.  If we want to be our best we try to make each decision well.  We try to keep our feet on the road we want to travel and get closer to the person we want to become.  Sometimes people notice our good works but often they just get lost in the shuffle of everyday living.  If we make a good decision that requires us to sacrifice something we may feel others should acknowledge it.  Perhaps we feel we should receive some kind of praise because we chose well.  But we don’t make good choices for the acclaim they bring.  We make them because they are the best decisions we can make going forward.  We will find great satisfaction by choosing well and oftentimes prevent complications and problems doing so.  We don’t need the praise or adoration of others because we were wise.  Being wise will bring us enough reward.  We will be content in our lives by choosing the best roads possible and feel good knowing we are doing our best.  Although the praise of others feels good it is not required or needed.

Some decisions we face may have attractive options that won’t take us where we want to go.  It can be hard to turn away from a quick fix or a poor choice that will bring us benefits we desire.  But temporary solutions generally bring only momentary happiness and often result in endless complications.  If we’re tired or frustrated and want to move forward quickly we may opt for them, but in the end may find the harder more effective decision was wiser.  We don’t need immediate gratification to find happiness.  We can carefully plan for all possible outcomes and choose the very best option even if it takes more time and is more difficult.  We are what we do.  If we want to be the very best we can be we must make the very best choices.

Some people need a lot of attention.  They want praise every time they do something right, and recognition when they accomplish a difficult task.  Oftentimes that need for attention comes from a lack of confidence.  We can be confident by choosing well.  The need for approval and acknowledgement may influence us into making decisions that aren’t the best choice going forward.  If what we’re seeking isn’t long term success but immediate praise, we may choose options that are quick and flashy but have no lasting success.  We don’t need the agreement of others to choose well.  We can make the best choices even if we stand alone.  We are smart enough, capable enough and wise enough to find the best answers and we are strong enough to choose them.  There isn’t anything we can’t understand and master if we want to badly enough.  We don’t need adoration to choose well.  We can make the best choices and succeed because it’s what we want most to do.

Today if you’re facing a decision choose the path that takes you closer to the person you want to be.  There is greatness in you.  Show the world who you really are by choosing well.  You have so much to offer and we all need your influence.  Choose wisely and success will follow.

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Ruined

16 Aug

There may come a time in our lives when we realize we’ve made a horrible mistake. We’ve chosen something that took us far away from where we want to be and the decision has impacted us greatly. We may feel devastated, and shocked at what has happened and where we are. And if the disaster is great enough and far reaching enough we may even believe we’ve ruined our lives. We might think it’s over – we’ll never recover from what’s happened and we’ll never be right again. Moments like that come to most of us at some point. We don’t know everything, we aren’t perfect and we will make mistakes. If those mistakes are disastrous and put us in terrible situations we may feel destroyed. Ruined. But no matter what has happened, no matter how far we are from fixing it, or how much we are impacted by the situation, we are never ruined. Being ruined implies utter destruction – complete annihilation. We are never completely destroyed until we die. If we’re still alive we can find our way through anything no matter how bad it seems.

It can be hard to forgive ourselves when we’ve lost our way and done things that bring us hardship and heartache. Looking back on the situation we understand where we went wrong because we can see all the facts. We may feel foolish and frustrated that we made decisions that brought us failure, and think we should have known better or could have predicted the ending more effectively. But we would never have chosen to fail purposely and we can’t know everything at the beginning. Although we can’t change what has happened we can correct our course and move forward from where we are. It can be humiliating and certainly humbling to falter. We learn as we go and the lessons learned when things go wrong can teach us a lot about how to be successful going forward.

The influence of others around us can be great. If we value them or love them we may listen to their advice even when we aren’t sure it’s what’s best for us. If we follow their suggestions and falter we may blame them for our situation. But we are in control of our lives and responsible for everything we do, influence or not. If we follow along and find failure, we are accountable. Others may be responsible for their part in our demise but our decisions belong to us. Saying it’s someone else’s fault prevents us from owning our part and learning from the situation. We can stand firm and accept a bad decision no matter what it brings. And then we can focus forward to correct our course and find success. There isn’t anything we can’t do and nothing we can’t fix. We are strong and capable and we can modify going forward. We have everything we need to be successful and happy. No problem or detour can keep us from success.

Today if you’re in a terrible situation because of decisions you’ve made face the problem openly and honestly. See where you went wrong and correct your course. You are smart and capable of managing anything that comes to you. This is just a detour and you will find your way around it. You have everything you need and you know what to do. Keep your eyes focused ahead. You will find success and happiness. You will prevail.

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