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Momentum

30 Aug

“Strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events.” Miriam-Webster

There are a lot of people around us all the time. We may not interact with all of them but there will be some with whom we build strong connections and come into contact with every day. Influence can be very powerful and if we’re involved with people who have strong ideas and opinions, our on-going contact with them may change our lives. Behaviors have a way of rubbing off on others and without even noticing, we may find we begin to look like them and act like them simply because of their constant interactions with us. Like an on-coming tide, there may be momentum in their influence over us. We may get swept up in what they’re doing, what they believe, and how they think we should live our lives. We can change anything about what we’re doing at any time but it’s important to be in control of the changes we’re making. Going along with someone because they are powerful and we admire them will not allow us to genuinely be who we are. Each of us is unique and have special gifts to offer the world that no one else can give. If we surrender that uniqueness to fit into someone else’s ideas, our gifts may remain unopened and our influence in the world may be quieted. We can be close to others and still hold onto our personal beliefs and desires. We can share our lives and still remain true to who we are. Momentum can be powerful but nothing is strong enough to carry us away if we are happy where we are. Our individuality is precious and by staying true to our core beliefs and values we enhance the lives of everyone around us.

When we’re children we mimic what our family does. We do things the way our parents tell us to and do not yet have our own personal style or belief system. As we grow and get to know the world we decide what is best for us and who we want to be. Every step we take defines us and creates the unique personality we share with others. By being ourselves, we bring diversity and variety to the world around us and enhance the experiences of others.

We are in control of our personal lives but if we don’t know what we stand for or who we are we may bend and follow every idea that comes along. There are a lot of different perspectives and we must decide which ones are best for us. We can’t be everything to everyone. We can clearly determine what we will and won’t do, and how we will live our lives. The design is ours to create and each day we can adjust and refine our way forward until we are happy with the lives we’re living.

Today if you’ve been following someone you admire who has definite ideas about what you should do, remember you know yourself better than anyone else. Decide how you want to live your life and then move forward in ways that bring you every blessing you desire. You are a gift to the world just as you are. Show us your uniqueness and share your life with us. We all want to know you. Your presence is a great gift to us all.

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Go Faster!

16 Aug

We all have our own ideas and methods for getting things done. Some people like to jump into projects with both feet and storm through them as quickly as possible. Others like to take time to look at the situation before beginning and then carefully and cautiously proceed watching out for any stumbling blocks in the way. Neither method is wrong but when we’re on one side of the process we may deride the other as either being foolish for moving so fast, or become impatient because they are taking their time. The way we do things is completely up to us. We can rush through or ponder each step along the way. It’s a matter of personal choice for what we feel will work best. If we’re in a hurry it’s hard to wait for someone who is going slowly. We may press them to go faster, tell them to forget the minutiae, skip the finer points and details, and get on with it. It’s nice to accomplish many things and we may feel successful when we’ve checked a lot of boxes off our list, but rushing doesn’t always bring the best results. We may find the things we skipped over in order to get the job done fast are the very details that come back to haunt us because we left them undone. Fast doesn’t always translate into complete. It will do us no good to get something done quickly if we have to go back and do it again. Even if our schedule is pressing, we can take a moment to ensure we are clear on all the details and understand exactly what needs to be done. Then we can proceed with confidence and complete everything as effectively as possible.

It can be hard for high energy people to wait. Waiting takes patience and it’s hard to be patient when we want to move forward. If others are taking more time than we like and we think we know the way forward, we may jump in and take control. If we push others aside and rush forward with our own plans we may reach the goal faster but it may cost us in personal relationships we value. Everyone’s opinion is important and all views are valuable, even if they’re different from ours. We don’t have to do things our way every time to succeed. There is never only one road forward. We can be open to other ideas and still reach the goal.

There is no way to know what lies ahead before we get there. We can’t read the future and there will always be unforeseen complications we don’t expect. Although we can’t prepare for what we can’t predict, if we keep our vision open to everything around us instead of laser focused only on the goal, we will be ready when problems arise. We are capable of navigating through any issues that come up. Success is always possible and by allowing different ideas into play, we will find it and reach the destination.

Today if you’re impatient because someone is moving slowly, be open to their perspective and listen to their ideas. You may find their choice will take you forward more quickly than rushing ahead yourself. There are limitless options available to you. Open your eyes wide and see everything before you. Success will always be there and you will reach it.

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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.

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Grudge Match

5 Jul

Conflict is a normal part of life. We may not like it and we may try to avoid it but we’re all individuals and differences will happen. We don’t have to agree with everyone and everything and there will be times when we won’t comply with what someone else wants. When there is tension and disagreement we may blame the other party for not agreeing with us and making things difficult. We may understand that we’re all entitled to our own opinions but when push comes to shove, despite that understanding, we may press to get our own way. If we can’t prevail we may hold a grudge against the other party and allow it to color our interactions with them going forward. Grudges have no power over anyone but the person carrying them. If we’re angry we may hold tight to them and they may keep us down and prevent us from moving forward. They can be crippling and will never solve any problems or help us find answers. It can be hard to let go of disappointment. We can blame everyone and everything for what goes wrong but that will change nothing. If we want our situation to improve we must let go and actively step forward. Our lives are always in our control and we can manage anything effectively to move ahead. We can accept differences and with patience and grace find the way forward through any conflict. Life is filled with challenges and we are certainly smart enough and wise enough to manage them. Every success is possible, even in disagreement, and we can find all the answers we need.

Some people like to argue and enjoy the intensity and dynamic of heated discussions. When we interact with them it may be difficult to find answers as they question every statement we make. It can be hard to get our point across if they dissect everything we say and oppose every suggestion. We don’t have to defend our position and we don’t need complete agreement in order to move forward. There are always possible compromises and adjustments to any plan. If we are open and flexible we will find the answers to address every concern and reach understanding.

There will be times when we won’t get our way and things will turn in a direction we don’t want. We may feel like we’ve lost the battle and carry anger away from the situation. Life is sometimes an uphill battle and sometimes we’re going to lose but that doesn’t mean we aren’t important and valuable. We can be open to new ideas and accept change when we must in order to keep moving ahead toward the goals we want the most. We can do anything even when things go wrong. We are strong and capable and with patience and determination we will find success.

Today if you’re struggling with a decision and unhappy about what’s happened, let go of any anger and look at your options going forward. Disappointments are just turns in the road. You can still get to your goals and succeed. Change direction and re-chart your course. Every destination is possible and you are strong enough and wise enough to get there.

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Waiting and Hoping

28 Jun

The world is filled with opportunities and we can do anything we want to do. There are endless activities and goals to achieve and if we’re determined we will reach success. There is no end to what we can accomplish and every dream is possible. We can plan and move forward step by step until we reach the destinations we desire. Although anything is possible it’s highly unlikely we’ll achieve our goals by standing around and waiting for them to appear. Coasting along and simply hoping what we really want will present itself will never work. While it’s true that sometimes things fall into our laps with little effort, those instances are rare and unusual. We can’t expect the world or those around us to give us what we want simply because we desire it. We must work and push our own way forward to get to our goals. Our lives are our responsibility and we own every decision we make. We can wait for things to happen until the end of time and maybe some things will come our way. But if we really want the life we dream about we have to take charge and do what is necessary to make it happen. Sitting around and waiting will only give us exactly what we have right now. If we want something more we have to work for it. It takes effort to change our lives and energy to take us where we want to go but we have sufficient drive and ambition to find success. We know what we want and we can figure out how to get it. We can make a plan, work hard and reach any goal. It’s all up to us but if we apply ourselves and continue to move forward, every destination is possible.

There are no fairy godmothers waiting in the wings to make our dreams come true. There are no magic wands or genies languishing in bottles eager to turn our lives around. If we aren’t where we want to be we can decide on a new road and begin forward in a new direction. Nothing is permanent and if we aren’t happy we can change our circumstances and move toward the lives we want. Nothing is too far to reach and we can do anything we desire. All options are possible and with effort and planning we can make them ours.

Waiting for our lives to change and happiness to arrive is like waiting for snow in July. It’s probably not going to happen but we have complete control over our lives and can do anything we want at any time. If we don’t like where we are, we can move. If we don’t like what we’re doing, we can change. We can have the lives we dream about by taking the steps needed to make them ours. We deserve complete happiness and with determination and persistence we can do anything.

Today if you’re not happy where you are and want a change, take the first step in a new direction. You can go anywhere and do anything. You are stronger and braver than you realize and there isn’t anything you can’t accomplish. Take control and turn your course toward the goals you most desire. Everything is possible. You deserve complete and full happiness. Move forward and make your dreams come true.

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