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Living Well

30 Jul

We all live in ways that are unique to our personal desires and goals.  We make our own decisions and the lives we end up with are the lives we choose.  Some people are very successful and inventive, and do things that impact the world or change the way it works.  Some discover cures for diseases, or create things that alter the way we live, or serve in grand ways that embellish thousands and change the world for the better.  It’s amazing and wonderful to have such greatness among us, but we don’t have to do incredible or grandiose things to live well.  The world is blessed by things that amplify goodness and make it work more easily but we also bless it when we choose well in small ways.  By being kind, serving others, and showing charity to those around us, we change the world for the better and augment the environment around us.  We have far more influence over those we interact with than we may realize.  When we reach out to comfort sadness, or extend our hands to help lift a heavy burden, when we listen with compassion or offer a kind word when someone is down, we change the world for the better.  Like ripples in the water after a pebble is tossed in, our influence can move forward indefinitely.  When we choose well we bring glory to the world around us.  That glory brings light into darkness and joy where sorrow once prevailed.  We have the power to change the world.  By choosing well, and living in ways that serve not just ourselves but those around us we turn everything toward light and bring joy and comfort.  We are powerful and good, and our choices reflect who we most want to be.

No life is perfect and there will be days when clouds roll in and the skies of trouble darken.  We may face serious trials and difficult challenges as we push forward and there may be times when we feel doubt and fear over what will happen next.  Misery may overwhelm us and we may be uncertain about how to proceed.  When we’re struggling we can allow others to reach out to us and offer help and support.  We don’t have to do everything alone.  Allowing others to comfort us will bring light and lift us as we continue forward.  Letting others help us when we are overcome helps us live well.  When things settle again and we’re back on a more even keel we can reach out to others and share the gift we received.

The world is filled with billions of people but we are all important and valuable.  Reaching out in kindness, even in small ways, can change everything for someone who is struggling.  Cheering a crying child, helping lift a grocery sack, opening a door, or simply listening when others speak are simple and effective ways to serve.  We can turn sadness into peace, sorrow into comfort and grief into hope.  We are more powerful and influential than we realize.  The whole world is blessed because we are here and we can share that blessing every day.

Today if you feel like your life is small and inconsequential and don’t think you’re important, remember your influence is greater than you know.  You are amazing and powerful and we all want to share our lives with you.  The whole world is better because you are here.  Be joyful.  Your light brings happiness to us all.

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Turmoil

24 Jul

Most people are nice and try to work with others and many of us try to get along with those around us and be an asset in whatever we’re working on. We want to be agreeable and flexible and do what is needed to accomplish the goals we’ve set while still including others and being kind. But not everyone we come in contact with will be pleasant and some people are rude and frankly mean. They may manipulate others, lie and cheat, and display bad behavior that causes tension and trouble. If they are aggressive and vicious, dealing with them may make it hard to get through even simple tasks. If we must interact with them we will have to find a way to manage their behavior and still accomplish the task at hand. There will always be a way to move forward despite the problems we face, but it will be up to us to find it. Disagreeable people can make our lives a misery if we allow them to control the situation and affect our attitudes. We don’t have to become negative even if those around us are complaining and unhappy. We all make our own decisions and we can stay true to who we are and what we want most even if we’re being pressured by someone who doesn’t have our best interests in mind. We’re all responsible for our own happiness. Bad behavior in others has no control over the choices we make. We can always choose the best road going forward and find our way to any destination we desire.

Some people live dishonestly and fill their lives with drama and intrigue. They make decisions that complicate their path, manipulate the truth to suit their personal desires and make it difficult for others to work with them. When we interact with them we may get caught up in turmoil and stress. It’s confusing to figure out which way to go when there is disharmony and struggle. But we don’t have to internalize the problems before us and with patience can find our way through. By remembering who we are and keeping our focus we can clear the distractions and find the road ahead.

We may want to be helpful and if we find ourselves entangled in a situation where there is conflict and struggle we may get caught up in someone else’s problem. If we are pressed to find the answers we can be respectful and offer our advice and then let it go. We can allow those who own the issue to find their own resolutions. Life gives us all plenty of our own problems to work on and we can let others manage their decisions their own way. It’s appropriate and kind to offer help if asked and then let those involved find the answers they need.

Today if you must interact with someone who is disagreeable and mean, show patience and support and be the best you can be. Be helpful and kind but let them make their own decisions and continue forward on the road toward your goals. You have so much to offer and we are all blessed because you’re here. Keep your eyes ahead and set the example for success. You are amazing and wise, and can lead the way forward.

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Changing the World

20 Jul

Everyone is different and there are endless interpretations to everything we do, see, and experience. We all have our own ideas about how things should be and what is right. If we feel strongly about something and someone disagrees it may be difficult to accept their viewpoint and opinions. In an effort to convert them to our side we may speak loudly and forcefully trying to make them listen. If they don’t follow along and we’re angry, we may belittle them, criticize them, call them names or insinuate they are too stupid to see what to us is the correct point of view. There is nothing noble in demeaning others for any reason and nothing can be gained by diminishing their value. Being disrespectful and rude doesn’t elevate anyone and reduces us. We’re entitled to our own ideas and opinions but it’s inappropriate and destructive to demand that others agree with them. Each of us is unique and our decisions are ours to make. To punish those who disagree with us will never bring us happiness but will only increase suffering and disharmony, and ruin relationships. The only way to effectively influence others is through patience, kindness, inclusion and acceptance. We have the power to change the world but only by setting the example for love and charity will we prevail. Nothing is more powerful than a loving and understanding attitude. When we are accepting and kind people will be drawn to us and we can share our lives with them.

Opinions vary and we can respect the right of everyone to believe what they choose and live their lives according to their own values and desires. It may be hard for us to understand their viewpoint but we don’t have to understand everything to be accepting. We can be respectful and kind and if we disagree we may share our opinions and ideas. We’re all different and when we clash there may be conflict. We have the power to diffuse any tension through kindness and a welcoming attitude. Being patient when there is disagreement and listening openly to every idea will pave the way to friendship and inclusion.

It’s impossible to push people into agreeing with us. Everyone has their own ideas and can live their lives any way they choose. We can express what we believe and exhibit how our beliefs are beneficial. We can lead by example and display goodness and nobility, and with patience and love bring others close. There is greatness in us and by showing it to the world through kindness and charity, especially in conflict, we will prevail.

Today if you’ve been pressuring others to listen to you and trying to get them to accept your viewpoint, remember gentleness and kindness will open the doors. Be patient and loving and accept other opinions. Express your respect and love to those around you and they will draw close to you and feel your influence. Acceptance will give you power and charity will bring you success. You have the power to change the world. Be the best you can be and set the example for good.

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Adjusting the Compass

17 Jul

We share the world with billions of other people.  There are often people around us and their influence is continually present.  We hear what they say, we see what they do and each interaction, no matter how benign, will impact us in some way.  We all have ideas about what is right and wrong and how we want to live our lives.  If we are surrounded by others whose ideas are far different from ours, as we engage with them we may find we begin to adopt their behaviors and practices.  We are always changing and everything we see and do alters our patterns in some way.  Our personal compass points where we direct it.  We decide what kind of people we will be, where we’ll go, and what we’ll do.  If we keep our compass pointed in the direction we most want to proceed we will find satisfaction in reaching our goals.  However, the influence of others and things that happen around us may bump the needle toward something we didn’t plan on and if we simply follow along we may find we end up somewhere we never intended to go.  We are always in control of our lives and if we find we’re walking away from the road we desire most we can turn around and change direction.  There is a lot of noise in the world, but if we pay attention to what we’re doing and watch where we’re going we will stay true to the course we want to travel.  With diligence and preparation success is always possible.  We can accomplish anything we desire by adjusting our compass when needed and continuing forward with confidence.

Charismatic people are very influential.  It’s easy to get caught up and lose our direction when they want something from us.  They may try to persuade us to follow them and it may be hard to turn them down.  If we go forward with them we may be pulled away from the path that takes us to the personal goals we’ve set.  Our compass may be modified or stop working altogether.  Following someone else will take us places but they will always be places others have chosen.  If we want to achieve the things we want the most we must choose the road specific to our dreams.  We can do anything and by directing our lives we will reach every goal we desire.

When we’ve been pursuing a destination for a while and have had to overcome many obstacles to continue forward, it’s natural to get tired.  Sometimes the shine of the goal fades in the struggle to push forward.  There is no rush to reach our objectives.  We can rest and regroup at any time.  If we need refreshment we can take it.  Our dreams will always be there for us and when we’re ready to start again, the road will be waiting.  We can do anything we desire.  No achievement is too difficult or too far to reach.  By adjusting our compass and staying true to the way forward we can go anywhere.

Today if you’ve gotten caught up in something that’s taken you off course, step back and focus on what you want the most.  You know the way forward.  Turn your course toward the dreams you desire and start again.  Every goal is possible and you will prevail.  The road is waiting for you and you will succeed.

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Fabricating Happiness

3 Jul

We interact with many different types of people on a daily basis. We connect with them as we move through our lives and build relationships with those we enjoy, those we love, and those on whom we rely. Many times, those connections bring great pleasure and security to our lives but sometimes we may build a relationship with someone who makes choices that bring us disharmony and confusion. If we want strong and healthy relationships there must be complete honesty in our interactions. But some people aren’t consistently honest and bend the truth to suit their needs. It’s not pleasant to confront a lie and we may choose to give them the benefit of the doubt despite their choices. It’s difficult to be in a relationship with someone who lies or pretends that things are different than they really are. Truth is truth and the only way to live successfully is to face it openly and completely. Wanting to believe in a lie will never make it the truth. Looking the other way in the face of dishonesty will never bring us happiness. Everyone makes their own decisions and we are all accountable for every choice. We can choose to be honest in all our dealings and build strong relationships based on real trust. We never have to go along with a lie. We can live straight and true to the values we honor and choose the right at every turn. When we do we will find happiness and peace going forward.

Few things in life are constant. Things change continually and just when we’re sure we know what will happen next, something turns us around and everything is different. Our situations are constantly in flux and if we want to reach success we must be clear and honest about our intentions and desires. We can’t control what may happen but we are always in control of our decisions. If we are honest and up front in our interactions we will more effectively find the path we need to travel and reach the goals we desire.

Honesty doesn’t come on a sliding scale. There is no such thing as being somewhat honest, or honest most of the time. We either are honest is our dealings or we aren’t. If we bend the truth, color the facts to get what we want, or pretend that things are different than they are, we are lying to ourselves and those around us. Lies may bring us immediate gratification but they will never bring us lasting happiness or success. We can face our lives as they are even if they aren’t where we want them to be. Change is always possible and if we aren’t happy we can truthfully and honestly do what is needed to modify our course to reach the happiness we desire. Our lives are our responsibility and our choices make us who we are. We can choose well and find great contentment and success.

Today if you’re dealing with someone who isn’t honest with you, look at the situation openly and completely. Let the facts show you the truth and decide how you want to proceed. What you choose tells the world who you are. Show us your best and lead the way to success.

 

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