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Courage

13 Nov

We hear all kinds of stories about courageous, brave people who do astounding things that impress us and make us marvel at their fearlessness and stamina. Some events are so noteworthy they become legend and part of our history. It’s inspiring and uplifting to see others express heroism and courage no matter what is before them. In our lives we may never have to face an army of marauders or take out a bank robber but we will likely face times when we’ll have to be brave against a situation before us. Fear is a natural response to threat and courage doesn’t mean we won’t be afraid but that we’ll act even in the face of our fear. Instead of being paralyzed and cowering in a corner we can step out and stand strong in the midst of a difficult and frightening situation. Our lives may be predictable and perhaps we don’t think we have many opportunities to practice being courageous but every time we hold our ground when there is pressure to bend, every time we speak up when someone is being hurt, and every time we extend ourselves to help others, we are being brave. Practicing courage even in small ways gives us the skill to stand strong when serious issues arise. If we fold every time someone disagrees with us, or cower every time we are unsure, we will never be able to express our true selves. We are capable and strong and even if the tide turns against us, can hold fast to what we want the most. We have all the courage and strength within us to do anything we desire. Trusting ourselves and believing we will prevail will move us forward.

We may experience great pressure to conform and go along with common ideas around us. It’s easier for a group to function if everyone does the same things and those around us may press us to follow their views even if we disagree. We can always go with the flow and keep our opinions to ourselves. It’s easier to let others lead and simply follow along than it is to question the road ahead, but remaining quiet will only guarantee that our influence will not be heard. We have a lot to offer and our ideas are valuable. We can be brave enough to speak up, even if we’re different, and share our true selves with those around us.

Life is continually moving forward and if we are timid and don’t express ourselves, we may find we are simply going through the motions instead of grabbing hold of our lives and making the most of our time. Each day we live is a blessing and once the time has passed can never be recaptured. Standing back and staying quiet will never take us to the goals we want the most. We can speak up, step forward and take control of our lives and design them any way we choose. It’s all there for us. We need only reach out and take it.

Today if you’ve been sitting quietly and allowing others to decide what you’ll do next, remember you are valuable and your choices are important. Think about what you want the most and step toward your goals. Everything is possible and you have all the courage and wisdom you need to find success. Be strong. All your dreams are there for you and you can make them come true.

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Compared To

26 Oct

There are endless objectives and goals we can pursue as we travel through our lives and we may try many of them.  We can do whatever we like and if we’re focused and determined will achieve many things we desire.  But no matter how far we go or how much we get, there will always be one more thing we want to do.  It’s impossible to do everything and we might compare what we’ve achieved to those around us.  There will always be someone who has done more or has more than we possess and comparing ourselves to them is not likely to bring us happiness or peace.  Our lives are not a competition.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing or what they’ve accomplished.  Our personal choices are ours to make and we determine how far we’ll go and what we’ll do.  We don’t need to compare ourselves to anyone else.  Maybe we don’t have a million dollars, but we have enough money for our needs.  Maybe we don’t own an  expensive sports car, but the car we have is reliable and takes us where we want to go.  When we open our closet perhaps it’s not filled with designer labels but the clothing there is clean and fits our taste.  Everyone’s choice is theirs to make and we need only concern ourselves with our own.  We can have any kind of life we desire and find satisfaction in where we are even if we’re on the road to somewhere else.  Every dream is possible and with determination we can make them all come true.  Being happy as we push forward will bring us great comfort and courage to continue.

The world sets very high standards for what we accomplish.  We may hear messages that we should be more beautiful, more involved, more wealthy, and buying more things will bring us more happiness.  The idea of “more” has never been as pronounced as it is in our current society.  It’s easy to feel inadequate if we compare our lives to the seemingly perfect models being projected but we can remember how successful and productive we already are.  Our lives belong to us and we define them.  Living honestly and true to our personal values will bring us great satisfaction and happiness.

Everyone has their own idea about how life should go and what we should do.  We may face criticism if we don’t match the standards others think we should be striving for.  They may encourage us to do more, to be more, and to have more but we can decide what’s best for us at every turn.  We are unique and individual and can create the lives we want the most, even if they are very different from the choices being made by those around us.  We don’t have to fit any model or idea.  We can do things our way and express ourselves in ways that reflect our true ideals.  This life is a great blessing.  We can find happiness and satisfaction living it exactly the way we want and make all our dreams come true.

Today if you’ve been comparing yourself to the achievements of those around you, remember your life is unique to you alone.  You can make whatever choices you desire and do anything you like.  Show us your individuality and share who you really are.  You are amazing and incredible and we all want to know you.  Be happy being yourself and remember what a great blessing you are to us all.

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Undone

11 Oct

Conflict is a normal part of life. We’re all different and our ideas about how things should go are specific to our own experiences and desires. Although we may agree with others on some things, there will likely be times when what we want is in direct opposition to the thoughts of those around us. If the decision doesn’t impact us or have a lasting affect on our lives, we may politely disagree and let it go. But if it has a big influence over what we’re doing or stops us from where we want to go, we may get into an intense situation as we push for our views to be accepted and refuse to move toward the other side. Severe disagreement may create anger that might overtake us if we aren’t careful. We may become completely undone and lose control if the issue is extremely important to us and we cannot abide the idea of letting it go. Unfortunately, if anger takes over we may act out in ways that deteriorate the discussion and lose our ability to convince the other side to consider our viewpoint. It can be hard to be calm when we feel we’re losing something very important. It can be hard to listen to the other side and try to understand their position. But ranting and raving, raising our voices or in other ways impacting the situation negatively will never get us what we want. It’s impossible to bring others over to our side by making them feel bad. We are always in control of our behavior – good or bad. When we’re facing difficult situations and feel our emotions start to rise, we can step back and take an objective view of things. There are always possible compromises and if we keep our heads we’ll find them. We can achieve any goal we desire by staying focused and work through any complications that arise. Everything is possible if we are willing to find the way through.

Some people love to argue. They like the intensity of heated discussion and the chance to prove they are right, no matter what the issue is. Arguing for the sake of arguing rarely brings any benefit to those involved. Plenty of conflict will present itself without trying to invent more. It’s better to diffuse it when we it arises and find a way forward that includes everyone’s input. There are always many ways to do anything and we can find an inclusive and supportive road going forward.

There will be times when no matter what we say or how convincing we are, we will not get our way. We may have to change our focus and do things differently than we prefer. Being flexible and willing to go another way takes patience and self-control. Although we may not be on the road we want, we are creative enough to find our way forward. There are endless roads to every destination and we can find our way ahead even if we must take a detour to get there.

Today if you’re in a situation that feels impossible and you’re in opposition to what you’re being asked, try to be flexible and find a compromise that will work. There are endless possibilities available and you’ll find one that fits. Be patient with compromise and keep your eyes focused on your goals. Everything is possible and you will reach the destination you seek.

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Declining

20 Sep

“I’m disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means “no.” Captain Barbossa, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl

Throughout our lives, people will ask us to do many different things. They may ask us for something for them or someone else, it might be a personal favor or a professional agreement, or it may be something entirely different. It’s easier to navigate any interaction when everyone involved agrees and there is no dissension in the ranks. When any request comes it’s up to us to decide how we want to proceed. If there’s pressure from those around us we might agree even when we don’t want to. We’re always in control of our decisions and can do whatever we feel is best for us. But politics, pressure, and even coercion may come into play and when they do we may feel we have no option but to agree. If we’re concerned about what may happen if we decline a request it will impact our ability to choose objectively. But if the decision requires us to do something we feel is unethical, immoral or illegal, or if we simply don’t want to go along, despite any pressures placed on us, we can decline. We have enough courage to say no when we want to, and never have to do anything that compromises us in any way. Our lives are ours to design and every choice we make defines who we are. We can be true to our personal best and make decisions that reflect who we want to be. The paths we choose are up to us and no matter what others around us are doing, we can go our own way.

There are endless ideas about what we should do, where we should go, how we should dress, what we should eat, and so on. There is no one perfect way to live life, and everyone is entitled to make any choices they like. We don’t need the agreement of others to choose the paths we’ll follow or what we’ll do. We can be confident in our decisions even if they don’t match those around us. Our lives belong to us and the unique interpretation we bring enhances the world and brings depth to everyone’s experience. We can be confident in our uniqueness and make decisions that reflect what we want the most.

There are endless reasons to do the things we do. It’s always easy to go along with others and follow their lead and we may certainly choose that whenever we like. But every decision we make reflects who we really are and impacts the road ahead. If we review our steps before we make them and alter our course when we need to we will more effectively reach the goals we most desire. We are the only ones who decide where we’ll go. All destinations are possible and we can choose any road to travel.

Today if you’ve been asked to do something you don’t want to do but aren’t sure about declining, remember your decisions are important and your views are valuable. You can do anything you like. All options are possible and nothing is out of reach. You are strong, wise and powerful. You can design your life any way you like. Be confident and choose the roads that will take you where you most want to go.

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Truth and Freedom

11 Sep

We go through many experiences as we navigate the ins and outs of life. Some things go well, other times we struggle, it may be easy to find the answers or we may get lost. There are limitless complications that may arise, unforeseen developments that suddenly alter the situation and we are constantly adapting and adjusting to the changes around us. We never know what will happen next and as we step forward on whatever path we’ve chosen we try to make the best choices to bring us the outcomes we desire. If we get tangled up in situations where there is dishonesty it may cloud our vision for a time but truth always rises and becomes clear. Once we know what is real and can see things as they truly are we are free to make our next decision. Truth will always untie the bonds created by dishonesty and open the way forward. When we know what is real and see everything openly we can plan effectively and reach whatever destinations we’ve chosen. Dishonesty and lies may open the way in the beginning but in the end always bind us up and hold us back. They muddy the waters, bring confusion and contradiction, and keep us from moving forward. We can choose to be clear and truthful about everything in our lives and enjoy the freedom that honesty brings. Truth is truth and nothing we do or say can change it. Facing things as they are and accepting what is real will empower us and help us reach our goals. Nothing will pave the way more effectively and people will trust us and honor us when we are truthful and honest in all our dealings.

Honesty is an absolute. It will never work to be somewhat or mostly honest in our dealings. We’re either truthful or we aren’t. Every situation we face will be impacted by the way we handle it. We have all the wisdom and insight we need to make the best decisions going forward and all the courage we need to be completely honest as we go. Embracing what is real gives us power and helps us understand anything before us. Nothing will ever be as effective as choosing to be clear and honest in everything we do.

There may be times when we are tempted – just this once – to lie in an effort to move forward. Maybe we believe it will help us open a door we’ve been struggling with or enable us to influence someone we want on our side. We can do anything we like and every decision is ours to make but lying one time makes it easier to lie again. Once we open that box it may be hard to close it again and each deception will take us further from who we really want to be. We’re smart enough to figure out any situation and manage it honestly. There is never a need to sacrifice our integrity to get to a goal. All options are possible and staying true to our best standards will help us achieve them.

Today if you’re tempted to lie to get through a complicated situation, remember truth is the only way to freedom. The confidence you gain by being honest is a priceless asset. There is nobility and greatness in you. Magnify them and choose wisely. You can do anything and reach any goal you desire. Be the best you can be and all the doors will open for you.

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