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No Way Back

31 Jan

We have endless experiences as we go through our lives and since there are many people around us, chances are they will be included. Our connections with others are many and varied. We may only wave to them in passing, they may be coworkers with whom we have a professional relationship, close friends, lovers or something else. When we get along and our interactions are positive, we may value our time with them and try to keep the connection strong. But we’re all different and there will be times when we disagree. We may face intense arguments that cause hurt feelings and damage the relationship. If someone offends us and we feel they are unbearable, we may choose to sever our ties with them, burn that bridge down and build an impermeable wall in front of them. There is nothing we want from them and there is no way back. We can do anything we like, but nobody can see the future or what will happen next. Life has a way of looping around and if something happens that brings them back into our sphere, and we need them for something, if we’ve completely cut them off, it may be hard to re-establish our connection. People often have great memories, and burning everything down will take a lot of effort and time to resurrect. Some people are impossible and we may want nothing to do with them – that is our prerogative. But we don’t have to completely sever all our ties to them. We can walk away and steer our lives in another direction. The old saying, “Live and let live,” will apply. They can do what they want, and we don’t have to be a part of it, but we can keep the link intact, however distant, just in case something changes and we have to interact with them in the future. We can be honest in all our dealings, and do not need to pretend to like them, but we can be polite and tolerant. Every decision we make takes us somewhere. By being pro-active and making the best choices possible, we will achieve great satisfaction and success.

Some people are rude and hateful, and don’t care about anyone but themselves. It’s hard to work with someone like that, and if we must, it may test our patience and endurance. If we have a professional relationship we can’t change, we can find a way to do what is needed to work with them and then move on. If they are family, we can define how much time we can spend with them and still be comfortable and work within those boundaries. We are always in control of everything we do and we can manage our time with difficult people in ways that help us move forward with the least amount of distress.

Love relationships are complicated. If we go through a painful breakup, and it wasn’t our idea, we may be angry and devastated. If there was cheating or some other offense involved, we might want them to suffer and try to think of ways to get back at them. Breakups are hard, but we are valuable and our time is precious. Our decisions define who we are. Instead of revenge, we can walk away from any painful situation with grace and dignity, and move forward toward what will bring us happiness and peace.

Today if there’s a relationship you want to get away from, do what is needed to feel comfortable but don’t burn everything down. You are intelligent and wise, and know how to make excellent decisions. Every destination you are seeking is there for you, and every success is possible. Be confident and step closer to your goals. All things are possible, and you will prevail.

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Aspiring For Greatness

3 Jan

The world is full of opportunities. There are limitless things we can do and endless places we could go. If we wanted to, we could do something new every single day, and still never reach the end of what is possible. Although we may understand this, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut doing the same things every day. We need to provide for ourselves and for most of us, that means working a job. Most jobs aren’t worldwide endeavors that allow for endless travel and constant new experiences. Generally, we must report to the same place and do basically the same things each day. It’s easy to keep our lives small and simply continue on the same road without looking up. Being responsible and providing for our own needs is important but that doesn’t mean we can’t express ourselves and still do things that expand our horizons and allow us to aspire to greatness. Every situation is different, but no matter where we are or what we’re doing, we can choose to be the very best we can be and extend ourselves in ways that positively impact our lives. Instead of doing the minimum requirement to continue forward, we can peel back the layers a bit, get involved more deeply and really make an impact. Mediocrity is easy to achieve. We don’t have to work hard or do too much, and can simply do the minimum required to stay in place. But there is greatness in all of us and when we choose our very best options, we’ll find enormous growth and incredible fulfillment. Our lives are ours to design. By extending ourselves, and reaching further, we can reach goals we never dreamed possible. With focus and determination, every destination is attainable and we will achieve great success.

Everyone has their own ideas about how things should be done. Others may tell us what they think we should do, where we should go, and how we should act. We’re all entitled to our own opinions, but nobody knows us better than we know ourselves. We don’t have to do things a certain way simply because they’ve always been done that way. If we want something different, we don’t need to conform. We are intelligent and highly capable and can make any choice we desire. The lives we want the most are possible, and with focus and clarity, we will have them.

It’s comfortable to stay in the same place doing the same things. We know the players and pretty much what to expect. Repetition is easy but will never make our dreams come true. It can be intimidating to move into foreign territory and do something new, but we have all the courage and wisdom we need to overcome anything. New doors with limitless possibilities are waiting. We can step forward with confidence, aspire for greatness and find incredible success.

Today if you are ready to try something new, decide what you want the most and take the first step. You already possess everything you need to do anything you desire. The whole world is there for you and nothing can hold you in place. Recognize your strength, and be confident. Every success is there for you and you will prevail.

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Failure Required

15 Dec

Everyone has goals they want to achieve and we all want success.  We can decide what we want, and then do what we must to make it ours. The options are limitless and what we do is completely up to us.  It’s good to strive for what we want, and aim for success in all our dealings. We can only control our own lives, and have no power over any one else’s decisions. If we’re in competition with someone else over something we both want, we may decide we’ll do anything to win. We may feel we need to not only prevail, but crush whoever is on the other side. It won’t be enough just to win – we need the other guy to fail, and fail miserably. Finding joy in someone else’s demise may bring us momentary satisfaction, but it will do nothing to enrich or enhance our lives moving forward. Making others suffer will never bring us lasting happiness. Crushing our opponent and ensuring they never challenge us again only eliminates one player.  There will always be a bigger fish, and we’re fools if we believe we’ll always win.  We can do anything we like, but we are accountable for every decision.  There is no free space in life where what we do doesn’t count. Everything counts.  We can push ourselves to achieve, and win many different confrontations, but if we destroy others to get there, the victory will be hollow.  There is no need to crush anyone to prove we are worth the prize. We can do our best and push forward, and allow others the same privilege. We have the potential to conquer great adversity, and overcome enormous challenges. By stepping forward with confidence, sure of success, and keeping our eyes on our own road, we will achieve every goal we desire.  Nothing is beyond our reach, and there is great success ahead.

Sometimes competitions become personal. We not only try to out do the other competitors, but in the heat of the moment, may fall prey to criticism and ridicule in an effort to exert our dominance. Making others feel small may make us seem big, but the decisions we make, even in competition, decide what kind of people we are.  We can understand that competition should be fair and open, and make good choices that move us ahead without degrading others. There is greatness in us all, and by honoring the talents of those around us and striving to be the best we can be, we will prevail and reach every goal.  

In every contest, there is a winner and a loser.  Sometimes people are concerned that the losers will feel bad, and decide to eliminate the winner and give everyone a participation trophy.  That’s fine but unfortunately real life doesn’t work that way.  All the roads ahead aren’t paved, and if we lose, nobody is going to give us a prize.   Learning how to deal with losing gives us the skills we need to face disappointment and loss.  We are strong and capable, and can certainly cope with missing the mark from time to time. By choosing to stay in the game, and continue trying, success will be ours and we will prevail.

Today if you’re determined to win and will do anything to crush your opposition, remember the person you most want to be.  You have so much to offer and great gifts to give.  Show us your light, and do your best.  Everyone is embellished and uplifted because you are here.  Be confident and sure.  Every success is already there for you and you will prevail.

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Dismissed

13 Dec

Everyone is unique, and there are endless ideas, expressions, interpretations, and beliefs.  We can design our lives any way we like, but we have no control over what others choose or what they do. It’s good to be polite and accepting of different viewpoints and decisions, and there is great richness to be gained by including those who are different than we are.  There is unlimited variety in all things, and we don’t all have to travel the same roads to reach success.  Although many of us understand and accept differences, some people are very sure their way is the only right way and will not tolerate anything else. They may demean others who choose a different path, criticize lifestyles and decisions, and lord over those who are too timid to stand up to their demands.  Being confident is one thing – being dictatorial and oppressive is something else.  Dismissing others who have a different viewpoint, calling them names, or isolating them will never bring anything positive.  Nobody alive has all the answers.  The smartest people on earth don’t know everything. We can do anything we like, go anywhere we want, and adopt any philosophy or belief we desire.  Every decision involving our lives is up to us, but that’s where it ends.  We have no authority to design anyone else’s life.  Everyone has the right to choose their own journey, regardless of what others think.  Being different does not mean being less.  We can be confident and sure of everything we choose, and allow others the same freedom.  By walking side by side, instead of forcing everyone to follow us, we will learn more about ourselves and the world around us.  There is greatness in us all.  By sharing our very best with those around us, we will embellish everyone.

Some people talk a lot about diversity and inclusion.  They expound on how important it is to accept others, but when someone has a different viewpoint from theirs, their ideas of acceptance sometimes fall away, and criticism and ridicule take their place. There is no way to be inclusive of others and then target those who don’t conform and exclude them from the conversation.  We don’t all have to agree to have value.  We’re valuable just as we are.  We can accept differences, even when we don’t like them.  By extending the hand of friendship, despite disagreements, we will make many great connections and build strong relationships.

Politics can be a contentious issue.  Some feel very strongly about their specific point of view and although they may say they are for including others, if someone is on the opposite side of the political aisle, they may dismiss them or worse.  Differences are a part of normal life, and we’re all entitled to our own opinions, no matter what others think.  By understanding we all have worth, and every idea is valuable, we can be cooperative and supportive despite disagreement.  We have so much to offer and being kind and welcoming will help us bring great light to the world. 

Today if you’re dismissing someone because their ideas don’t make sense to you, stop and think again.  Different viewpoints bring great depth and richness to our experience.  Step forward and listen to every viewpoint.  Everyone has a unique gift to offer.  Honor differences even when you don’t like them, and be open to everyone. You are such a great blessing to the world.  Give us your best, and we’ll all succeed. 

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Fries and Ketchup

24 Nov

At Thanksgiving time we may take a moment to reflect on our lives and where we are. We all take a lot for granted. We get used to having a place to sleep, clothes, food, and many other enhancements that make our lives comfortable and enjoyable. As we’re rushing from one activity to another, working our jobs, tending to our chores and trying to get everything done, it’s hard to think about all the blessings we have. Of course, nobody gets a perfect life where everything is rainbows and sunshine all the time, and we’re all going to suffer from time to time. We may go through horrible, intensely difficult days that try us and push us to our limit, but those times won’t last forever. Even if we fail, even if we lose all our earthly possessions, even if everyone we know turns against us, there will still be something to be thankful for. We’re still here, and we’re still breathing. Taking the time to be grateful for whatever we have, helps us tune into where we really are, and what we’re doing. If we’re unhappy, we can change. If we don’t like where we are, we can move. Everything is possible and we are stronger and more powerful than we think we are. There are so many possibilities, and every destination is there for us. By remembering how much we have to offer, and how precious and rare we are, we can decide how we want to proceed.  There isn’t anyone else like us.  We are a gift to the whole world. We can be grateful for all we have, and move toward the lives we want the most.

When things are going wrong and it seems nothing we do works out, we can reset our thinking by focusing on the small gifts around us.  If we’re having lunch, we can be grateful for fries and ketchup.  They aren’t that valuable, are available everywhere, but when we want them, bring us great pleasure. It’s a small thing to focus on but if something that small can bring us happiness, how great will be our joy when we think about all the other blessings in our lives.  

Some people are never happy. They find problems in every situation, and complain constantly. If we’re happy, they may try to bring us down so we can share their misery. Our lives belong to us and every decision is ours to make, and we never have to embrace any negative attitude. Our journey is ours to design, and we can disconnect from any relationship that keeps us from reaching true happiness. There is greatness in us all. By being grateful for everything in our lives, we will find enormous comfort and satisfaction. 

Today, remember how amazing you are and how much you bring to the world. You have gifts to offer nobody else can give. You bring great light to everyone around you, and have so much to offer.  Focus on all the blessings in your life, and be grateful for every experience.  Every single dream you desire is within your reach.  Be sure, be confident, and be happy.  Every success is there for you and you will reach them all.

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