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Owls

19 Jan

There is a saying we often hear about being as wise as an owl. Owls actually aren’t wise or even the most intelligent of birds, and it’s believed they are thought to be wise because of the placement of their eyes. Both eyes face forward in the front of their heads similar to primates and other highly intelligent animals. However, the placement of their eyes has no bearing on their intelligence even though they may look smarter than other birds. And as far as wisdom goes, it’s unlikely owls are able to process thought in such a way. There is great distinction between intelligence and wisdom. Intelligence is simply our ability to acquire knowledge. Wisdom, on the other hand, is how we use the knowledge after we gain it. In order to be wise, we must have good judgement to use our intelligence effectively. Wisdom doesn’t just happen. It’s something we must work toward, and practice every day. Being smart works best when we use our abilities wisely. If we only strive for knowledge and lack the desire to use good judgement, we may find our path more difficult than it needs to be.

Getting a good education is a great asset. Learning about different subjects and becoming expert in various arenas may help us achieve our goals. We can study anything we desire and with time and effort may become proficient. The ability to learn new things is always available to us and we may take advantage of the opportunities additional education affords us. As we learn new concepts and ideas, it’s important to also determine how we will use the information. Learning facts is just one piece of the puzzle. After we learn something we must decide how to apply it in our lives. We can decide to use what we’ve learned effectively to help us get to our goals. Then we can figure out the best way to apply our new skills wisely so they will bring us the best returns. Knowledge used effectively is powerful. Knowledge used wisely is nearly impossible to overcome.

Nobody is born wise. Wisdom is gained through the experiences of trial and error. If we try something and it doesn’t work, we can step back and review our choices and then determine the best way forward. As we go through our lives and experience new things our understanding deepens. We gain a clearer awareness of where we are and what we need to do. If we pay attention, that understanding will help us make wise decisions. Learning to choose wisely will always be an asset to us. We can learn as we go and take the time needed to comprehend any situation to choose well. We have a lot of tools that help us find success. Learning to be wise is one of the best tools we can gain. Using it in every decision will pave the way forward for us and help us find success.

Today remember to incorporate wisdom in your choices and use what you know to move forward. Apply your knowledge carefully. You are intelligent and today choose to be wise. If you use wisdom you will gain the best results possible. You deserve the very best of everything. Being wise will help you achieve it.

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Hedge Fund

16 Jan

When we want something very badly and we aren’t sure we can accomplish it, we may hedge our bet to try to increase our odds. For instance, if we’re dating someone we like but aren’t sure the relationship will go anywhere, we may decide to date someone else on the side. That way, if one situation ends, we’ll have the other to fall back on. Or if we want someone to believe in us but know we can’t give them what they need, we may fabricate stories about our plans and pretend to do things in ways that will bring them closer. We may think if we can get them on board we’ll figure out how to keep them there later. Hedging our bet is a way to negate any loss that may come. In some arenas, it’s not a bad idea, but when interacting with others, it can be dangerous. Working behind the scenes may work against us. If those involved discover what we’re doing, we may lose everything. Nobody appreciates dishonesty and if our subterfuge is uncovered, the goal we’re seeking may be lost. Forever. When we want something, the best choice is to honestly and openly express our desire for it, and then do what is needed to achieve it. There isn’t anything we can’t do and we can gain whatever we’re seeking with honor. We don’t need to hedge our bet to win. We can win by doing our best.

The world is filled with all kinds of ideas. There are many ways to accomplish anything and if we choose to manipulate a situation, our options increase. If we aren’t sure we can get to our goal, we may choose to creatively shape our actions and frame our ideas in ways that make them seem more attractive. There is nothing wrong with enhancing our approach to make it more successful, but if we do it using trickery or pretense, we may get to the goal but our success may be precarious. Truth always rises and once all the facts are uncovered we may lose in the end. It does no good to gain something that slips through our fingers once our deceptive methods have been uncovered.

There are times when we may be unsure we can accomplish what we we’re seeking. We may think we don’t have the tools needed to get there or others involved will not receive us. We can talk ourselves out of any goal if our desire to achieve it isn’t strong enough. But there really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish. We have everything we need to succeed and even if we aren’t sure, we can go forward step by step and get to the goal. Manipulation, deceit, duplicity and trickery are tools for the weak. We are strong enough to move forward being honest and clear in our objective and we will succeed. We don’t need to hedge our bets. We have everything we need already.

Today if you’re thinking of manipulating a situation to get what you want, remember your integrity. You already have everything you need to succeed and you can win by being honest and sincere. There isn’t anything you can’t accomplish. Be the best you can be today and make your decisions based on the high standards you cherish. You are a gift to the world. Set the example for good and choose well.

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Super Moon

15 Dec

As we go through our lives and attend to all our responsibilities we are focused on the things that need to get done and where we want to be. Life can be busy and complicated, it can get messy and troublesome, and we may get lost seeing only what’s just ahead and miss other things going by. There are moments for all of us that are so captivating we are entirely consumed by them – our baby’s first step, the first kiss with a new love, a beautiful snowflake, a rainbow after a big storm, a reunion with a long, lost relative, and other poignant and captivating experiences. But many times, as we’re accomplishing our tasks we don’t notice some of the beautiful, enchanting or rewarding things passing us by. We keep our heads down and our eyes focused on the goal ahead and never hear the ice cream truck or see the red balloon floating up in the sky. It’s good to be focused and moving forward but there are many blessings all around us. If we look up, and see what else is going on our lives will be enriched and blessed. We only get one chance to live each day. Seeing everything we can, and noticing every nuance possible will bring us great joy and fulfillment.

Sometimes we have good intentions to do something, see something, or go somewhere but our schedules get in the way and we don’t make it. Super moons don’t happen all the time. They only occur when a full moon makes its closest approach to the earth. When that happens, the moon appears larger and brighter than normal and it’s amazing to behold. When one is predicted, we may read or hear about it and decide we want to see it, but then miss it because we were busy and forgot. We got carried away with all the things we were doing and didn’t take time to see it. Our chance to experience it has passed. Of course, it’ll come around again but if we continue doing things as we’ve been doing them, chances are we may miss it again.

It’s important to do all the many tasks we need to accomplish. Others rely on us and we must take care of ourselves. But as we’re storming through our days and checking off our lists, there are magical things all around us just waiting to be noticed. If we can slow down just a little and look up, be in the moment and cherish each breath, and pay more attention to the world around us we will be happier and our lives will be richer. We can stop and remember the very first time we tasted chocolate, or see how it feels to swing as high as possible, or how much fun it is to run into the ocean. If we do, our daily experiences will be enhanced. There are limitless things to do and see in life. We can reach out to them and broaden our horizons and our capacity for happiness will increase. We can get the most out of each day. We can see more, notice more, and remember how wonderful it is to be alive.

Today if you’ve been focused on your tasks and what needs to be done, look up and see what’s going on around you. Notice everything and broaden your scope. There’s something that will make you smile and bring you joy. Pay attention and let it fill your heart going forward. Your life is precious and wonderful. See everything and live it as fully as possible.

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Helping Out

15 Nov

Sometimes those near us, those we care about or love, or friends in our circle ask for our help. Most of us want to be helpful and do what we can when asked. If we consistently offer our help we can learn a lot and build our relationships. But sometimes our helpful nature can backfire when someone abuses our kindness. If someone we know makes a habit of asking for our assistance, not only in areas where real help is needed, but when they want us to cover their personal responsibilities, it can become difficult. We may find ourselves in a situation where instead of helping them we end up enabling them to sidestep their responsibilities and push them off on us. When that happens, we may be helping now but in the end if we do things they need to do for themselves, they lose the opportunity to grow and may become dependent on us. If we let others do our work for us, even when we’re capable of doing it ourselves, we miss out on the chance to grow and learn.

Habits are funny things. They form sometimes without us being aware. We do something once, then we do it again, and again, and before we realize it we may do it on a regular basis without noticing. For instance, if we have a neighbor close by and we stop to chat, we may offer to help with a project they are working on. Another day if we see them we may offer to help again. Soon every time we talk to them they may have tasks prepared for us ready to hand off. And if that continues, our helpful nature may become a burden for us and a crutch for them. It’s good to help others but when our help turns into expectation we may feel encumbered and obligated to do more than we should. We can recognize when our offer to help becomes a hindrance and we can change things so we aren’t just doing tasks but instead helping others figure out what they can do themselves. We can politely offer to help them accomplish any task they want to assign to us. We can do it together and enable them to be confident enough to accomplish it.

There is an old saying that many hands make light work. If we all work together whatever we are trying to accomplish generally goes more easily. It’s easier to lift something heavy as a group than it is alone. Helping one another allows us to serve and learn how to give. It’s noble to offer our assistance and we gain as much in the process as those we’re aiding. We can help in ways that allow everyone to learn and don’t undermine personal growth. We can find the limits between truly helping and enabling. The world needs those willing to serve and serve well. We have so much to give and with careful consideration can make sure out gift of service does as much good as possible.

Today if you’ve been helping someone and see that things have changed and you are doing too much, take a step back. Continue to offer your assistance but allow them to work alongside you and support them as they find their confidence. Show the way to success and let them take the lead. Help them find the road on their own. You are noble and kind to help and others will learn so much from your guidance.

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Prove It

7 Nov

Sometimes when we’re involved with others and they want to be sure of our commitment they may ask us to prove our allegiance. They may want us to do something to prove we’ll stay the course. If we’ve wavered in our commitments in the past an additional reassurance may be requested. Whether we like it or not, others watch us and notice what we do, and what we say. If we are honest in all our dealings and have proven over time that we will keep our word, such requests aren’t necessary. If we are true to our word, keep our commitments, and are always honest and fair, we’ll be trusted. However, if we manipulate the truth to suit our needs, change our minds as things develop, or fail to show it will be harder for others to believe us when we agree to anything. History has a way of following us around and if that history is unreliable, it may be hard to shake. We are what we do and it’s impossible to prevent others from seeing our true selves.

Living well takes effort. It’s so easy to lie and manipulate the truth when what’s real doesn’t suit us or negatively impacts us. We can pretend things are different than they are, that we’ve done things differently than we have, and that we didn’t mean to do something that caused discomfort. It takes very little energy to change a story when the truth is inconvenient. But everything we do becomes part of our personal legacy. Those around us see everything – even the things we don’t think they see. They notice when we lie about the check at the restaurant, or say we called when we didn’t, or pretend we didn’t hear them when we’re really ignoring them. Dishonesty always uncovers itself in the end. Even if we get away with it for a time, it will catch up to us and be exposed. And those around us will learn they can’t trust us, even if we give our word.

If we want to have the trust of those around us we must choose to be honest in everything we do. There is no sliding scale for honesty, it doesn’t depend on situations, and it’s not arbitrary. Honesty is simply living truthfully no matter what. If we make a mistake, we must own it. If we drop the ball on a commitment, we must do what is needed to repair the situation. We can be open and honest about our shortcomings whatever they are and then do what is needed to correct them. Nobody is perfect and we all falter from time to time. If we are honest about our lives and choose in every instance to be forthcoming and clear about the truth, those around us will trust us and open doors for us. Thomas Jefferson said, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” As we seek for wisdom, we must first seek to be honest. If we do, we will never have to prove ourselves to others. Our actions will be all the proof we need.

Today if you’ve been changing the truth to make things easier, choose to live in complete honesty. You can make excellent choices and correct anything you need to going forward. Be the best you can be and let others trust you and know who you really are. Be the light of truth and set the example to those around you. The trust you earn will be worth more than you can imagine.

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