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A Fair Shake

28 Nov

When we are children we’re taught to always play fair.  Cheating is seriously discouraged and we’re told to play by the rules and treat others fairly.  Those are true concepts and being fair in everything we do enhances our ethical standards and helps others trust us.  But sometimes things happen outside our control that aren’t fair and we may end up in situations that are difficult to manage and hard to understand.  We only have control over our own actions and it doesn’t feel fair to be subjected to someone else’s bad decisions but nobody is an island and there may be times when that happens and our lives are negatively impacted.  We can strive to always be fair but life won’t always cooperate.  Unexpected things can go wrong at any time.  We may get sick, or have a freak accident, or be hurt by circumstances beyond our reach.  Our sense of fairness may get bruised when things turn against us.  When we’re in the midst of unearned and unexpected trials we may suffer but we can hold onto our confidence.  Even if it’s hard to find our footing we can trust that we can still stand tall and look ahead.  No problem can last forever.  In the end, most of the time life is fair but while we’re in the middle, muddling through, we may get lost a time or two.  Life is constantly changing and we have all the courage and wisdom we need to navigate even the hardest times.  We can hold onto what we know is true and find our way.  Nothing is powerful enough to stop us from moving forward and every blessing is just steps away.

It seems fair that we should all get what we deserve.  Bad people who do things to hurt others should suffer and good people who are helpful and kind should gain happiness.  However, there will likely be times when we see bad people succeed while those who are trying their best struggle.  The law of the harvest is inescapable and immutable.  If we plant seeds of discontent, disharmony and pain, we will eventually reap the harvest of those choices.  It might not happen right away, and years may go by before we see things change, but balance will come. We are all accountable for everything we do and the choices we make determine our future happiness.

The old saying that “there is no such thing as a free lunch,” is correct.  Everything we do exacts a price of some sort.  If we make good choices that move us closer to where we want to be, we will reap the benefits and find success.  If we jumble up the works with confusion, complication and turbulence the way forward will be harder to navigate and more difficult to find.  We can make excellent choices that pave the road to happiness and peace, even in times of trial.  We can have the lives we dream about by choosing wisely and continuing forward with confidence and wisdom.

Today if you feel life is unfair and you can’t win, move toward your next step.  You can navigate through any complication or trial and choose wisely in ways that will bring you happiness.  Your life is yours to design and all your dreams can come true.  Nothing can keep you from success.  Continue forward and you will prevail.

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Heavy

14 Nov

We’ll have many happy days as we go through our lives but there will also be days when the sun won’t shine and we’re burdened with problems, concerns and difficult issues that rob us of peace and make us miserable.  Misery happens and even if we try to shield ourselves by making good choices, things will inevitably go wrong from time to time.  We can get through anything we need to and all the answers will come eventually but while we struggle we may feel unhappy and heavy with worry and concern.  When the cares of the world are weighing upon us it can be hard to face our days and continue pushing forward.  We can refuse to look at the issue and pretend everything is fine, hoping that somehow it’ll work itself out.  It’s possible but seriously unlikely that our problems will resolve themselves.  Instead of trying to hide from them we can face them head on and do what we must to resolve them once and for all so we can let them go.  Carrying around a heavy burden is tiresome and will keep us from moving toward the goals we want the most.  By stopping and looking at everything clearly, opening all the doors to the roads ahead, we can find the answers we need to solve any problem.  It doesn’t matter how hard the issue is, it doesn’t matter how many times we’ve already tried to fix it, we can try again and find success.  Life is filled with opportunity and when we’re bogged down with trouble, we can push forward and find our way.  We are stronger and more capable than we think we are and nothing is heavy enough to hold us back.

Lifting weights will help us build physical strength.  As our muscles get stronger, we can lift heavier and heavier weights until we reach our goal.  Gaining strength doesn’t come easily.  Sitting around and hoping we’ll magically get stronger by doing nothing will never work.  We have to push ourselves and test our limits and then push through them until we achieve the strength we desire.  The same is true in our personal lives.  When we’re tested with heavy burdens and difficult challenges, as we find our way through we gain additional skills and build our personal strength.  We learn about ourselves as we struggle and can use the knowledge we gain moving forward.  There isn’t anything we can’t manage.  We can be confident and continue moving toward our goals.

If we’re going through a serious complication that completely takes over our focus we may believe we can’t survive it.  We might think the problem is too difficult, too intense and too pervasive for us to manage, but we are strong.  We can believe in our ability to handle whatever is before us, no matter how serious the issue is.  The answers will always be there for us and if we look carefully we’ll find them.  We can do anything.  Success is always possible and we can reach it.

Today if you’re overwhelmed with a problem and don’t know how to get through, trust yourself.  You’ve overcome many difficult issues already and you will find the answers.  You are strong and wise, and nothing is too heavy for you to carry.  Be confident.  You will prevail and find your way forward.

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Looking Ahead

9 Nov

There are all kinds of people in the world and as we go through our days we’ll come in contact with many different kinds of personalities.  Some will be welcoming and fun, others may try our patience, and we may even interact with some truly mean and evil people.  Often we can tell by their actions what someone is like, but people are smart and may hide traits they don’t want others to see.  If they’re good at hiding, we may become their friends and spend a lot of time with them before we really see them for who they are.  They may suddenly turn on us and display behaviors we were previously unaware of.  We may be left confused and stunned trying to figure out what’s happening.  People can do anything they want and sometimes their choices hurt us.  They may blame us for something we haven’t done, judge us for a simple mistake, sabotage us around others or even do things to keep us from moving forward.  If we can’t reason with them or get them to listen to us, we may not be able to resolve the issue.  We all make our own decisions and if someone has decided we’re the enemy no matter what we do, we may have to accept things as they are and walk away.  People change when it’s important to them and if our relationship is important enough, those involved will do what is necessary to make it work.  Not every connection will be positive and we may need to let go from time to time.  We are worthwhile and if we aren’t valued can choose another path.  We deserve every happiness and can do what is needed to ensure we get it.

Our perceptions form our reality.  If we see things clearly and openly, often those perceptions will be accurate.  But we are influenced by the experiences we’ve had, and if they’ve been negative and hurtful, our perception may affected.  Jumping to conclusions based on emotion may color our understanding further and may make things seem very different than they really are.  We can take our time and set impressions aside until we understand everything clearly.
If we’re open to listening to everyone’s opinions and withhold judgement until we get all the facts, we’ll have a better chance of seeing the situation as it really is.

Misunderstandings happen and often we can correct them and clear the air, but sometimes the link gets broken and nothing we do will fix it.  It’s heartbreaking when someone we’re close to shuts the door on our relationship and we may feel great sadness.  But life is constantly changing and what is broken today may mend in time.  We can be kind and patient, and hope for the future.  Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring and we can be hopeful that in time we’ll reach a positive outcome.  We are strong and valiant, and can navigate through any complication.  We know what we want and will find success.

Today if you’ve been hurt by someone and are unable to change the situation, remember misunderstandings don’t define you.  You are worthwhile and valuable.  The whole world is better because you are here.  Be patient and kind, and show us your true self.  Set the best example you can.  Success will come and you will prevail.

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Shape Shifter

1 Oct

There are endless possible expressions we can adopt in our lives.  We’re exposed to all kinds of people doing all kinds of things all the time.  It’s like shopping in a huge, diverse shopping mall with unlimited variations to every situation we could imagine.  There are many types of behaviors and interpretations, and when we come across something we like we can make it our own.  We can create any type of life we desire, fit into a group we admire, adjust our appearance to look like those we want to emulate and make any other changes we want at any time.  It’s possible to project any image we like even if it doesn’t represent ourselves accurately.  Modifying to fit in or go along so we can get something we desire is always an option.  We can live any way we choose and pretending to be something we’re not may get us where we want to go at first but being authentic about who we are is the only option that will bring us lasting happiness.  Shapeshifting to match those around us will only make us more like others.  It will never clarify our most personal desires or help us find our unique way forward.  We aren’t like anyone else in the world and are the only ones who can share our personal expressions and gifts.  If we choose to set our individuality aside in an effort to blend in, the world will never know all the blessings we might bring.  Our individual worth is priceless and everything we do brings something new to the world.  We don’t have to change who we are to find success.  We are valuable as we are and can be confident, even if we’re different, that our input and interactions will bring benefit and joy to those around us.

It’s often easier to get along as a group if everyone is the same but if we’re all exactly the same there will be nothing new to learn.  There are unlimited expressions and interpretations possible and being willing to explore them, listen to them, and embrace them will bring great depth and understanding to our lives.  The world is filled with differences and each person has something important to offer.  We don’t have to be the same as everyone else to be valued.  We can be ourselves and trust that we are not only good enough, but excellent and an important part of the world around us.

When we want to do things differently than those around us, we may keep our opinions to ourselves in an effort to prevent disharmony.  We can hold our cards close to the chest for as long as we like but eventually our differences will show.  When they do, if we’re challenged, we may confidently express our viewpoints and move forward even if we’re in opposition.  Our lives are ours to design and we may live them any way we choose.  We never need to become someone we aren’t and are entitled to our individuality and independence.  Variety brings refreshment and wonderment, and we can be exactly who we are and move forward with confidence.

Today if you’ve been shapeshifting in an effort to blend in, remember your personal uniqueness brings great value to those around you.  Be confident and be yourself.  Show us who you really are and share your unique individuality.  The gifts you bring are yours alone to give and the world is blessed because you are here.

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One Drop

26 Sep

The world is a huge place with billions of people.  We could spend our whole lives traveling from place to place and still not see it all.  Unless we’re hermits living in a cave all alone in the middle of a huge desert we will be among other people.  Whether we live in a big city or a small town, they will be around us all the time.  It can be hard to feel significant and noticed if there are many others coming and going.  We may feel lost in the shuffle and completely ignored.  Our personal wants and needs may seem unimportant when compared to the world at large.  It’s like we’re just one drop in an ocean of water.  One drop isn’t much and we may believe it doesn’t count but one drop can mean the difference between filling a glass and over flowing it.  Every single person adds value and meaning to our life experience.  Even if we’re timid and quiet, or try our best to blend in, our presence will make a difference.  There is no way to exist in the world without impacting the environment around us.  We touch everyone we come in contact with in some way and alter their life experience simply because we are there.  We are relevant to the overall landscape around us and an integral part of the story playing out.  Our influence may be more far reaching than we realize and what we bring to every situation colors how things play out.  Our individuality and personal expression bring depth to our surroundings.  We are unique, valuable and essential, and each step we take and each interaction we share brings our personal light and brilliance to the world.

One drop of oil will always rise even if it’s dropped into a huge tank of water.  Nothing can make it disappear or blend.  It will always be different and obvious, and will alter the surface of the water.  We are all different and our influence will always change our environment in some way.  We may look the same on the outside, dress the same, even speak the same way, but we are unique and our ideas and interpretations are ours alone.  Nothing can make us invisible and our perspectives are valuable and needed.  We will always matter in every situation even if our voice is silent.  There isn’t now, nor has there ever been, anyone else exactly like us.  By remembering our personal worth and understanding our influence in the world around us, we can be confident and become the people we most want to be.

Every word we speak touches someone, and every act of kindness we do changes the world for the better.  We are integral to every situation and our influence is valuable and important.  Like that drop of oil floating on the surface, our presence makes a difference.  Nothing could ever take our place.  We are critical to the experience of those around us and the world is better because we are here.

Today if you feel invisible, and that nothing you do seems to matter, remember you are precious and important.  There isn’t anyone in the entire creation exactly like you.  The gifts you bring are yours alone to present.  You bring your unique flavor and we need you here.  Remember your worth.  Be confident.  You’re like a priceless gem shining light on all of us and nothing can take your place.

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