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Counterfeiting

23 Mar

In this day of information overload, virtually everywhere we go we are bombarded with advertisements with pretty pictures telling us how we should live our lives, what we should do and how we should look. They are filled with scenes of happy people loving life, the suggestion being if we do what they say, we’ll be happy too. However, all those pictures are just actors playing a role. Doing what others think is best might bring us happiness, or it might not. We can play any role we like, pretend we’re something we aren’t, and dress up any situation to appear different than it really is. Counterfeit money looks real from a distance. By simply making Xerox copies of bills, we could fool anyone if they were far enough away. But upon closer inspection it will be obvious that the paper isn’t right, the ink is all wrong and it’s completely fake. If we haven’t yet achieved the level of success in our jobs we desire, or made all the money we think we deserve, or if we’re not as informed as we want others to believe, we may use counterfeit measures to convince them. We can dress up, act out, and manipulate others until we’re sure we’ve convinced them of whatever it is we want them to believe. We might fool them for a while, but just like getting a closer look at counterfeit bills, eventually our true selves will emerge and the truth will rise. It’s impossible to keep up false appearances forever. Instead of pretending, we can work to gain the attributes we desire. By living openly and honestly, we will gain the trust of those around us and make good, strong connections. Nobody is perfect and we all have things we want to change. We can show our true selves and be confident in who we are, and where we stand. Every success is possible, and with determination and focus, nothing can keep us from the goal.

Sometimes it can seem others have it easier than we do. They seem to get what they want and don’t struggle. We may think they have no idea how hard life can be, but we may be way off base. There is no way to know the personal dealings of anyone’s life unless they share the details with us. There may be hidden sorrow and disappointments we cannot see from the outside. Nobody gets a perfect life filled with rainbows and butterflies. We all face challenges and trials, and roads filled with rocks and detours. By keeping our eyes focused on our own journey and not comparing ourselves to others, we will ensure our success and reach every destination.

Many people prefer everyone to be on the same page, doing the same things, and agreeing as a group. Peer pressure is real and we may be asked to conform to something we don’t want. We can do anything we like, but we all have specific gifts to offer that nobody else can give. We can choose what works best for us and take our own path, no matter what others are doing. We have so much to offer, and by being true to who we really are, we can bring great light and blessing to the world.

Today if you’ve been pretending or following someone else’s path, remember you are important and have your own gifts to give. Be yourself and choose the road that takes you to the goals you desire most. There is greatness in you and you can set an amazing example for us all. Be strong and confident, and step forward focused on your own journey. Success is waiting and nothing can keep you from it.

Absolutely Impossible

17 Mar

As we go through our lives, we’ll face many unexpected, challenging, difficult and surprising moments. There may be situations that confound us, twist the road ahead, and complicate things in ways we never imagined. Because we don’t live isolated, alone and by ourselves, others will come and go throughout our lives, and the choices they make and the things they do may impact us in many ways. There may be a situation that arises when the best option forward is something we don’t believe we can do. The solution to the problem is so difficult, and so hard to think about, it may seem absolutely impossible to accomplish. Maybe we must stand up to someone very powerful and influential, maybe we must withdraw from an intense connection or relationship, or a million other possible scenarios. When we’re facing our most dreaded nightmare, and the only way to get through is to push ourselves far beyond what we believe we can manage, we may shrink and stammer, unsure we can survive. The situation may be dire and we may be sorely tested and intimidated, but there isn’t anything we can’t do if we’re determined to proceed. We are more powerful than we think we are and far stronger than we imagine. There is greatness in us, and all the courage we need is already there within. Even if we’re not confident yet, we can trust ourselves to do what is necessary. We are capable of accomplishing anything we must, and nothing can hold us down when we’re ready to move. By standing firm and looking ahead, keeping our eyes focused on the goal and holding fast to our convictions, we will find the right road forward and reach success.

Some people are very strong and very loud. They know what they want and will not tolerate opposing ideas. If we don’t agree and must come up against them, they may question our intelligence, insult us, and try everything possible to demean us and shake our confidence in an effort to make us comply. They can do and say anything they like. We are entitled to our own viewpoints and can proceed according to our own desires and decisions. We never need anyone else’s approval or permission to make any choice we desire. Being loud doesn’t mean we must follow along. It’s just noise, and we have everything we need to continue forward our own way.

There may come a situation that is so hard and difficult we may believe there is no way we can face it. It’s just too much. We don’t want to look at it, we don’t want to think about it, and we might try to simply ignore it. Looking away from problems may bring us respite for a time, and we can always step away to think and rest when we need to. But our lives are our responsibility and by courageously addressing whatever has happened, we will find the answers we need to resolve any issue. We will never be so overcome we cannot survive. The roads we need are there and with patience and clarity, we’ll get through.

Today if you’re in a situation that is extremely difficult and you aren’t sure you have what you need to prevail, trust yourself. You have already resolved many hard issues and many complex problems. Take things one step at a time and be confident. You are amazing and can do anything. Step forward and show us your best. Every blessing and success is waiting and you will reach them all.

Standing Around and Waiting

11 Mar

There are endless things we can do, unlimited places we could go, and limitless things we may accomplish. Opportunities are possible no matter where we are or what’s happening. Nobody lives in a vacuum and there will always be another road to travel. Everyone wants an easy life filled with pleasure, wealth and comfort. If we won the birth lottery, we may have been born into circumstances that provide that, but those examples are few and far between. So if that’s not the case, we’ll be responsible for creating the lives we want the most. We already know what we want, and we can dream and think about how great it will be when we get to the goal. But if all we do is stand around and wait for it to arrive, we will be sorely disappointed. The chances of us getting everything we desire simply by wishing for it is far less than the chances of us winning the lottery jackpot. It’s not going to happen. Waiting for luck is a fool’s game, and if that’s all we’re willing to do, we’ll likely end up with what we have now and nothing more. But if we’re willing to plan for success, and then do everything necessary to make it ours, we can make our dreams come true. We are capable of far more than we may imagine and when we’re ready can begin forward toward whatever we desire. Nothing is off limits and everything is possible. We need only decide what we want, and then begin forward to make it ours. Nothing is powerful enough to hold us in place but our own choices. If we want something more, we can have it. By trusting ourselves, and being willing to push forward no matter what comes, we will reach every destination and find great satisfaction and happiness. We deserve the best of everything, and with determination and focus, can make it ours.

Mediocrity is easy to achieve. We can go with the flow, keep our heads down and do the same things over and over again for as long as we like. We can have a simple, easy life that doesn’t inspire us but is good enough to get by. Choosing that is like always having vanilla ice cream and never trying anything else. Vanilla is fine, and we know what to expect, but there are many other flavors, and great refreshment and excitement come when we try something new. It can be scary to step away from what we know, but we are strong and wise, and will find every answer we need as we move ahead. There is great reward waiting when we choose to move toward a new horizon. The whole world is there for us, and we can do anything.

Some people are intimidated by change and may encourage us to be happy with what we have. They are comfortable with things as they are and think we should be too. We can take any advice we like, but our lives belong solely to us, and we can design them any way we like. We don’t need agreement or permission to move in a new direction, and can pursue any goal or destination we choose. There is no way to know what we can accomplish until we try. Every single goal is possible and every road is waiting. By choosing what we want most and stepping forward with confidence and clarity, we will prevail and find incredible reward.

Today if you’ve been waiting for your life to change, decide what you want the most and make a plan to achieve it. Trust yourself and take the first step forward. You are wise and powerful and have everything you need to do anything you desire. Be clear and confident. Every dream is possible, and nothing can keep you from success. You can have the life you dream of and find great satisfaction. Nothing can keep you in place, and you will succeed.

Sticks and Rocks

4 Mar

There is a lot of uncertainty in life and we never know what will happen next. There’s no way to see what’s around the next bend or what lies ahead. The best we can do is build the best foundation possible in our plans, and modify them as needed to accommodate whatever changes may come. When laying the foundation for a road, the area is plowed smooth and cleared of debris before the first layer of pavement is applied. If rocks and sticks are left in the way and get covered, as they move or disintegrate, they will compromise the strength of the base being prepared. As we try to lay a strong foundation for the future, if we ignore problems that need our attention, or leave issues unsettled, just like sticks and rocks in the foundation, our plans may become unstable and falter. Nobody likes to face difficult, hard to manage situations but looking the other way and pretending they don’t exist will never help us move forward. Crap happens, and it’s going to happen to us all at some point. What we do when things go wrong will impact how successful we are as we move ahead. By taking the time to unravel complications and find solutions to problems as they arise, we can pave the road ahead and make our journey easier. We are wiser and more capable than we imagine, and there isn’t anything too complex or hard for us to overcome. Every destination is possible if we take care of problems along the way, build a solid foundation, and do what is needed to succeed. We can go anywhere and do anything, and nothing is out of reach.

When there is a lot to do or a long way to go, we may look for shortcuts and ways to make the journey easier. Shortcuts may seem like a good idea, and sometimes they work out just fine, but if we miss necessary steps that ensure our success, they may come back to bite us in the end. If there’s a big event coming up we want to look our best for and have put off losing the ten pounds we wanted to lose before it happens, we may decide to go on a starvation diet to try and lose it all in two weeks. That’s definitely a short cut but it’s so extreme it may not work. By looking at the goal clearly and openly, we can choose the best way to achieve it without taking shortcuts, and reach success.

If we want to accomplish something, but do nothing to prepare to get to the goal, it’s unlikely we’ll get there. If we need to alter our plans due to complications or unforeseen changes, we can. If we need more information, we can get it. If we need help, we can ask for it. Everything we desire is possible, but we must put forth the effort required to make it ours. We are powerful and strong, and have all the wisdom we need to do anything we like. Every goal is possible, and when we’re ready, nothing can keep us from success.

Today if there’s something you want to do, begin laying the foundation to begin. You have everything necessary to prevail and all the answers you need are there for you. Decide what you want the most, and chart your course forward. Every dream is possible, and nothing is too difficult or complicated for you to manage. Trust yourself and be confident. All your dreams are there waiting. Step forward and make them yours.

Forget That

23 Feb

There are generally people around us most of the time. We have family members, friends, acquaintances, work associates, and people we only see in passing. Everyone has their own ideas about how things should go, what we should be doing and endless other situations. We’re all entitled to our own opinions and decisions, and if we like, we may share them with others. If we are open about our desires and what we want to do next, we may freely express our thoughts to someone else. They may think we’re right on target and encourage us to move forward, or they may not. If they disagree with our plans, they may say the idea is ridiculous, or there is no way we could ever achieve the goal. They may tell us to forget that, and move onto something more reasonable – translation, something more like what they would do. We can always take any advice we like, but we know ourselves better than anyone else. Our friends may tell us to go one way, our family may point in another direction, and others may have different ideas. There are unlimited versions of what we could do and if we try to follow everyone else’s advice, we may end up going nowhere fast. If we want to take a road trip to a specified destination, there are all kinds of maps available. There will be lots of routes possible and if we can’t decide which way we want to go we might take one road for a while, then switch to another, then maybe turn around to jump onto a different highway to see what it has to offer, and on and on. We might eventually get to the destination, but it will likely take far longer and be much more difficult than if we had decided at the beginning exactly which way we wanted to go and stuck to the plan. We can do anything we like and listen to all kinds of opinions, but we are in control of our lives and once we determine exactly what we want, can step forward with confidence that we will succeed. Every destination is possible, and with clarity and focus, nothing can keep us from the goal.

Customs and traditions are powerful and may be very important to us. As we navigate through our lives, they may color our decisions and choices. We can always stay inside the lines of what has always been done, and conform to whatever patterns and customs we choose. But we’re unique and despite any pressures around us, may choose anything we like. We have our own specific gifts to offer that no one else possesses, and by honoring who we are and what we want, can bring great light and blessing to the world.

It’s always easier to manage a group of people when everyone is doing the same things, but there is great richness that comes from encouraging different ideas. Variety brings refreshment and opens new doors that may not have been previously considered. We can do whatever we like, while allowing others to also make their own choices. There are always many roads to any destination, and by being open to something new, we will learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

Today remember you are entitled to have the life you want the most. You don’t need agreement or permission from anyone to make any choices you desire. The whole world is open to you and every road is possible. Decide what you want to do and where you want to go, and take the first step forward. Every blessing awaits, and every dream is possible. Be confident and sure. Nothing can keep you from success, and you will make it yours.