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Meaning It

31 May

We can tell people all kinds of things about ourselves, use any positive adjective we like to describe us and create any image we desire. We can say anything but who we are is reflected not in what we say, but in what we do. Words are cheap and easily manipulated to express ideas that may or may not be true, but actions show our real character and display to the world what is real. If we’re honest about ourselves, our actions will reflect what we’ve expressed. If not, another reality will show itself. There is no way to gain the trust of others if we’re insincere or untruthful. If we mean what we say and follow through on our promises, people will learn we are trustworthy and that they can rely on us to keep our word. We don’t have to agree with everyone or do everything that’s requested. If we don’t want to do something, we can say so and move on. But if we say we’ll be there, and then don’t show, nothing else we’ve said will matter. Once those around us lose faith and trust in us, it will be hard to re-establish. It takes a lot of time to overcome personal disappointments when they involve our integrity and honesty. If we’ve been untruthful in the past or dropped the ball when we said we’d take care of it, there’s no reason to believe we’ll handle things any differently in the future. We can choose to be noble and valiant, and always keep our word. We can hold fast to the values we cherish and choose to be the best we can be. Our lives are a reflection of our actions. Every decision takes us somewhere. We can choose wisely to ensure we reach the destinations we desire most.

When we’re in an uncomfortable situation and want to escape, it’s easy to lie to get away from the issue. We can make up a story that will enable us to step back, or pretend we’re not involved and just walk away. Even if nobody ever finds out about the dishonesty, it will mar our character going forward. Like a chink in the armor, the surface will never be smooth again. We will always know we let our principles slide and it may affect our confidence going forward. Nothing is worth endangering our future success. Even in times of duress, we can choose well, and hold fast to what is right.

Everyone forgets things from time to time. If we’ve agreed to participate in something we later decide we don’t want, we can simply pretend we forgot we were committed and let it go. That may work and we may get out of our responsibility and move on. However, the stain of the lie will remain with us. It’s far better to simply be honest and decline our involvement before its expected. We may be uncomfortable for a moment, but our integrity will remain strong and we will walk forward knowing we did our best.

Today if you’re tempted to lie to get out of something you don’t want to do, remember your honesty and integrity are priceless and worth protecting. Tell the truth and clear the air. You are in control of your life and can make excellent choices. Choose well, and stand tall. Every success is there for you and with determination and honesty, you will reach it.

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The Third Law

28 May

Newton’s third law of physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nothing in life happens in a vacuum and every decision we make brings a result. As we make choices, we may have a good idea what the result will be based on what we know about the situation and what we’ve chosen, or we may not know where our decision will take us. But they all take us somewhere. There is no way to remain where we are as we step forward on the road ahead. Everyone wants to make good choices, and for the most part we will. But sometimes if the circumstances are confusing, or we get inaccurate information, or our emotions influence us in ways that don’t work, we may choose badly. When we take the first step on any road, we will inevitably end up where that road leads. Every journey has a destination and if it’s somewhere we don’t want to go, it’s up to us to step off the road we’re on, and go in another direction. It’s unlikely others will intercede and move us onto a better path. We’re in charge of our lives, and are responsible for every choice we make. Even if we feel swept along and pressured to continue on the wrong road, we can always step away and choose another path. Nobody knows us better than we know ourselves, and we have all the courage and determination we need to direct our lives toward the destinations we desire most. There are unlimited choices to make, and with patience and wisdom, we can find the roads that take us where we most want to go. Our lives are ours to design. We need never go along or follow others. We know what we want and have everything we need to get it. We can choose our own journey and reach any goal we desire. Nothing is out of reach and we can make all our dreams a reality.

Some people may think they know what’s best for us. They may constantly give us direction or try to persuade us to do things they feel will take us where we need to go. They are certainly entitled to their opinions, and we can listen to their advice if we like. However, our lives belong to us and we are the only ones who have complete understanding about what we need and what we want. We can choose the road ahead even if it’s different from what others recommend, and move forward with confidence and clarity.

There is no way to see the end of any road from the beginning. Even if we plan well and choose the best possible option at the beginning, things may change and we may find we aren’t headed where we most want to go. Learning to turn and adjust our trajectory with each new development will enable us to reach the destinations we desire and help us find success. Life is all about change and we are certainly flexible enough and wise enough to navigate the road ahead to ensure we find success.

Today if you’ve made a decision that isn’t taking you where you want to go, stop and look at all the options possible. Find the road that leads you to success and start again. There isn’t any destination you can’t reach. Choose your next steps carefully and begin. Every road is there for you and you can do anything. Be confident and step forward. Success is waiting for you and you will reach it.

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Cotton Clouds

20 May

We go through all kinds of experiences in our lives. Everyone dreams of an easy life where everything goes well all the time and we never have to suffer. That’s nice to think about but far from reality. Sometimes things go well and we enjoy easy comfort, and then everything goes awry. We’re happy and sad, we may be content, or we may suffer. The scope of what can happen is very wide and all encompassing. Every day is different and each experience teaches us something new to carry forward. If we’re timid or unsure, we may try to avoid new circumstances and attempt to keep our lives even and undisturbed. We might find some success, but nobody lives on a cotton cloud all the time. Things will go wrong and we will face difficulties. There will be conflict and disagreement, and we may struggle to find our place. Every trial brings us the opportunity for growth and increased understanding, and each time we overcome a challenge we gain something positive. Easy times are great, and we enjoy them, but we learn little while we coast through clear and open roads. We gain our truest knowledge and deepest strength when we are pressed against trouble and complication. Life is all about learning and we can make the most of every challenge we face and use it to help us moving forward. There isn’t anything we can’t manage and we are capable of unraveling even the most complex issues and finding the way ahead. Bumps in the road are opportunities to be creative and flexible. We can find every answer we need and each trial makes us stronger. Every destination is possible and we are powerful and wise. All options are there for us, and nothing can keep us from success.

If we lack confidence or feel intimidated by change, we may try to stay away from others who have different views who may ask us to do something new. We can keep our lives small and isolated and we might avoid some issues, but that will also prevent us from taking advantage of the many opportunities possible. We can’t go where we want to go by staying locked in place. We are brave enough to open new doors that will take us to the things we desire most.

Foreign ideas may seem threatening at first, but if we take one step toward them, we may find they are exactly what we’re seeking. What seems strange at the beginning may become what we want the most. Stepping beyond what we know and reaching further than we can see will open new ideas and opportunities we never imagined possible. There are endless destinations available and we can go anywhere we choose.

Today if you’ve been keeping a low profile and focusing only on the roads you know, look up and see what else is possible. There are unlimited options available and endless opportunities waiting for you. Take a chance and open a new door. You have all the courage and wisdom you need to find your way. Every destination is possible and nothing is out of reach. Be confident. You can have the life you dream of and you are wise enough and strong enough to claim it.

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Your Turn

17 May

People constantly come in and out of our lives, and we interact with them in different ways depending on our circumstances. Sometimes we work together in order to achieve something. Perhaps we’re in a formal team that’s been set up to accomplish a specific task, or maybe we’re just cooperating and working with others on something less formal. Whatever the situation, if we’re all in the project together and we want to reach success, everyone must do their part. We can take care of our own responsibilities and then hand it over to the next person for their input. It all works out fine unless someone drops the ball and doesn’t get their assigned portion done. When that happens, the whole thing can fall apart. If we’re in that type of situation and want the goal to be reached, we may feel tempted to step in and take over where someone else has neglected to move. It’s great to be helpful, but it’s important for everyone to recognize their input is necessary for success. If we jump in and cover when someone else forsakes their part, the job might get done, but the precedent we’ve set may cause problems going forward. If people know we’ll cover every time something goes wrong, we may end up with more work than we can manage. A group effort is just that – a group effort, meaning everyone in the group should participate. If someone neglects their responsibility the group can come together and determine the best way forward. Once everyone decides how to manage the loss, a solution will be found and the goal can be reached. We are very capable and able to do many things. If we work together, we will find the answers we need without taking too much on ourselves. Every goal is possible and with planning and determination, we will reach it.

Everyone must carry their own weight, but if someone needs our help, we may step in and take some of their burden from them. It’s noble to be kind and assist others, but if we take on everyone else’s burdens, the weight may become oppressive and we may find we can no longer carry our own. We can recognize our limits to be successful and still share our strength. Everyone has their own road to travel. We can manage our time effectively in ways that ensure our success.

Some people need a lot of support. They may lack the confidence necessary to proceed forward without constant reassurance and help from others. Help is always available, but in the end, we are all responsible for our own successes. We cannot expect others to carry us forward, or find the right roads for us to travel. We have everything we need to find our own way and reach any goal we desire. We can be confident that we have everything necessary for success.

Today if you’ve over-extended yourself helping others or have taken on more responsibility than you can effectively manage, take a good look at what you can successfully accomplish, and set the rest aside. You are strong and capable, and can accomplish many things. Be wise and plan your time in ways that help you reach success and achieve the goals you desire. You are amazing and can do anything. Make your plan and move ahead with confidence. You will prevail.

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Changing Everything

29 Apr

There are a lot of people in the world. The scope of our planet is huge and there are billions of others sharing it with us. As we go through our days, managing our responsibilities and taking care of our lives, we may feel insignificant to the overall scope of everything. We may not be out climbing mountains, or curing diseases, or inventing new items that revolutionize how things work. If we’re not powerful and persuasive in sharing amazing ideas that enlighten and educate, we might think our influence means nothing and that we’re inconsequential and unnecessary. It’s easy to feel like we don’t count as our days come and go. We’re not in the news, or the subject of great and important discussions, and our contributions may feel inadequate or unimportant. While we may not do things that bring great fame and attention, everything we do changes something in the world around us. It might seem our influence is inconsequential and doesn’t matter, but it’s far more valuable than we may think. Every time we say hello and smile at someone else, we bring light into the world. Every time we reach out to help, we turn the tide toward goodness. The smallest ripple of kindness or charity, can change everything. The ramifications of good works are greater and more far reaching than we imagine. One good thing leads to another. When we set an example of courtesy, forbearance, and gentleness we spread goodness in everything we touch. Like a pebble thrown into a still and placid pond, the ripples continue forward unabated and changing everything in their path. We are more influential and valuable than we think we are. Everything we do alters everything around us. We are unique in our ability to shine, and the whole world is blessed because we are here.

Our presence in every situation brings an impact and influence. There is no way to interact and not create a change of some kind. We may never know how much we impact others or how much effect we have over far reaching decisions or choices. A single word can change the direction of where we’re headed. Everything in life is connected in one way or another. We can recognize the power of our decisions and understand the potential of our influence.

Sometimes things go wrong and decisions don’t turn out exactly how we planned. When the bottom falls out and disaster is looming, we can accept our role in the choices that were made. Everyone makes mistakes and there is no shame in taking a wrong turn. We can accept every decision and learn more as we move forward. There is great nobility in holding fast to our integrity and honestly admitting when we’ve erred. Nothing is permanent and we can change our course whenever necessary to reach our goals and find success.

Today if you feel insignificant and that your input is meaningless, remember you are the only person in the whole world who can give the gifts you offer. There is nobody else like you. Your influence is meaningful and important. Be confident. You are amazing and valuable, and we’re all blessed because you are here.

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