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Darkness

14 May

The world is a big place with millions of people making all kinds of decisions.  Many people are kind and loving, and make choices that bring goodness and charity.  However, there is wickedness all around us and sometimes those who seek it make decisions that create problems and danger for the rest of us.  Although there is plenty of light for us to trust and rely on, there is also an element of darkness just a step away.  As we navigate our lives sometimes our path is influenced by pressures around us and we may end up somewhere far away from where we want to be.  Those who wish to control or manipulate can be very cunning and convincing, and if we aren’t careful we may be fooled into following them.  When we allow others to control our lives or color our decisions we may choose things that impact us negatively.  We know what we want and have all the power we need to achieve anything we desire.  We can be wise in our decisions and choose the best way forward even in the midst of confusion.  If we take the time to see everything objectively before we decide we will find the road that will take us where we want to go.  Our lives belong to us and we are responsible for every decision we make.  If we take a wrong turn we can change direction and redirect our course going forward.  Nothing is permanent and even if we’ve gone far away from where we want to be we can find our way back.  We deserve every happiness and success.  Nothing is impossible and we can do anything we desire.

There are many influences around us all the time and if someone wants something from us and it compromises our standards they may try to convince us by telling us they’ll only ask us this once and never again.  If we care for them we may go along but if we step away from our core values one time it will be easier to do it again.  Once we open the door to options outside our ethical standards we may muddy the waters going forward and it may become harder and harder to find the road back to where we really want to be.

Some people lie to accomplish their objectives.  If we do, we may well reach the goal but the lies will follow us and until we’re ready to tell the complete truth will live dishonestly.  There is nothing positive to be gained by deceit or trickery.  It will only lead to more lies and more confusion.  Our lives may get so tangled up and turbulent it may be hard to find our way forward.  We can always stop and correct our course and choose another road.  We can turn toward truth and choose wisdom going forward.  When we do we will find comfort and clarity, and every option will be available to us.

Today if you’ve been tempted to do something that is not in keeping with your personal standards, remember who you are.  You are precious and valuable, and every choice you make expresses your worth.  Nothing is more important than your personal integrity.  Be wise and make excellent choices.  They will take you where you want to go and bring you increased success.  You are powerful and intelligent, and nothing is out of reach.  Choose wisely and every destination will be possible.

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Swept Up

1 May

There are endless varieties of people in the world. No matter how many people we come in contact with, each one will be unique and different. Sometimes we may connect with someone who is well spoken, charismatic and extremely attractive. When that happens, we may get caught up in their words and swept up into their personal world. Charismatic people are magnetic and can pull us into their circle with seemingly little effort. If they are strong, ethical people we want to emulate, their example may become a guiding influence in our lives. But charisma does not reflect personal values. There are charismatic geniuses who are good and noble and there are others just as attractive who are criminal and dishonest. When we first come in contact with them we may be blinded by their flattering words and inspirational messages and fail to see who they really are. If they say things we really want to hear, we may be led away from where we want to go and pulled instead in their direction. We may follow along and believe everything we see and hear but if we’re headed in the wrong direction we will never achieve our goals. Words are powerful but actions speak louder. When someone says all the right things but their actions belie what they are saying, if we’re paying attention we will see what is real. We can go anywhere and do anything we want. We can be in control of our lives and direct our way forward until we reach our goals. There is nothing strong enough to take us off the path we want to travel. With wisdom and determination, we can reach any destination we desire.

If someone comes along and says they know what we want and can help us get there more quickly and successfully, we listen. Someone who seems intensely interested in our success may be very alluring and we may believe what they tell us even if there is no evidence they will help. Others may have good suggestions for us but nobody knows the true desires of our hearts but us. We can listen to any advice that’s offered and trust ourselves to make the best choice going forward.

When we’re around charismatic people who tell us what we want to hear, we may fail to see the entire situation objectively. Their positive affirmations and strong, powerful suggestions may blind us from what is really happening. It’s like seeing only the glitter on an old, broken toy. Glitter and charisma are superficial, and all the glitter in the world never solved a single problem. We know what we want and we know how to get it. We have sufficient intelligence and courage to accomplish anything. We can do things our way and find success.

Today if you’ve been swept up in someone else’s ideas about what you should be doing and where you should be going, remember who you are. You know what you want and where you want to go. You are strong enough, wise enough and smart enough to accomplish anything on your own. See everything around you and set the course you want to travel. Every destination is there for you, and in your own special way, you will reach it.

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Momentary

4 Apr

When we’re trying to accomplish something and want to move forward successfully we try to avoid problems that may hold us up.  If we were in control of everything around us we could prevent anything from getting in the way but there are all kinds of people making endless decisions that may impact our journey and stop our progress.  Sometimes we might face a serious snag that stops us altogether and we get stuck trying to figure out what to do next.  When momentary losses are far reaching we may believe we’ve reached the end of the road.  It’s hard to see over a tall barrier and if someone who refuses to move is standing in our way we may think there is no way to succeed.  But often momentary losses open up new ideas and roads for the way forward.  What we couldn’t see while our eyes were focused ahead is now clearly visible as we look around for answers.  There is never only one road to any destination.  We always have options and stopping to look around will help us find them.  Complications will always be a factor.  When they come we can throw our hands up and walk away, or we can stop where we are, look around and find another way forward.  There are endless options available to us to find success.  We can see momentary losses as opportunities to re-think our plans and discover new ideas that will help us succeed.  We can do anything we really want to do.  Nothing can hold us in place when we want to move.  The world around us is filled with opportunity and if one door is locked, we can find another.  Success is always possible and we have all the patience and wisdom we need to find it.

When we take a road trip we may plan the route we want to take and choose the roads we want to travel.  Sometimes we may come upon a detour that takes us to places we hadn’t planned on.  When that happens we don’t give up on the journey and decide to quit.  We simply drive through the new route until we’re back on the road going forward.  When we’re trying to accomplish something in our lives and come upon a roadblock we don’t need to forsake the journey.  We can evaluate our new circumstance and find our way to the goal.  Giving up will never bring success.  Learning to adapt and change our focus when needed will take us where we want to go.

There may be times when trying to reach a goal we face one complication after another and every time we solve one problem another arises.  Sometimes success is all about timing.  We don’t have to forsake the goal but we can choose to do other things now and return to it later.  We can accomplish anything we set our minds to if we are determined and patient.  Life is filled with possibility and we have everything we need to find success.

Today if you’ve come to a brick wall in your plans and can’t move forward, look around at the possibilities and options available.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  Be patient, be wise and move forward with confidence.  The whole world is there for you.  You are strong and capable, and nothing is out of reach.

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Upstream

30 Mar

We live in a world with billions of other people.  Each one is unique and different from us in some way.  There are all kinds of ideas, beliefs, patterns, laws, rules, and interpretations.  We may understand and agree with some of them and others may escape our comprehension altogether.  There is a lot of diversity in everything and it can be difficult to understand it all.  If we get tangled up in a situation where others are doing things we aren’t comfortable with we may be concerned about what will happen next.  If they are doing or saying things that make us unsure, we don’t have to remain in place.  We can always step aside and walk away.  Everything is continually changing and the world may seem crazy at times like everything has turned upside down and nothing is right.  No matter what others are doing we can hold onto what is important to us.  Even if nobody else agrees we can continue forward according to our own personal convictions and desires.  We may need to swim upstream against a current of people going the other way, but we are strong enough to continue toward our goals.  Our decisions are ours to make and we don’t need approval or agreement to make them.  We can do the things we want to do and go where we want to go.  Every destination is possible even if we’re the only one who wants to go there.  Our uniqueness is what brings blessings to the world around us.  We can be exactly who we are and find happiness.  Swimming upstream takes more energy than going with the flow but we are strong and capable, and can make all our dreams come true.

Societal norms and family traditions can define how we live our lives.  It’s easy to go along with what everyone else is doing and comply with traditional patterns.  Many people find comfort in conformity and there is historical strength in tradition.  Those roads are well paved from constant travelers and on them our roles are clearly defined.  Doing what is expected may work for us but predictable roads will only take us to predictable destinations.  If we want something different we must change direction and forge a new path.  There are endless roads we can choose and unlimited destinations before us.  We can determine what we want the most and then begin forward on the road that will take us to it.

Blending in is much easier than being different.  If we do things and basically look like most of the people around us it may be easier to find acceptance and navigate forward.  But every one of us is unique and have specific and exclusive gifts to offer.  If we keep them hidden in an effort to conform, the world will miss out on our particular influence.  We have so much to offer.  We can be confident in stepping forward as we are and truly expressing our individuality.  The world needs our viewpoint and is blessed because we are here.

Today if you feel like you’re swimming upstream and are tired of pushing ahead, remember how much you have to offer.  You bring a light that no one else can share.  Let us see who you really are and show us your strength. Everyone wants to share your life and know you.  Be confident in being yourself.  It’s the very best you can be.

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Doing Laundry

28 Mar

Learning to navigate through conflict isn’t always easy.  When we disagree with someone and things escalate it can be hard to stay on the subject at hand.  If we are passionate about our position and afraid we are losing we may decide to bring other issues into the conversation.  We all have a laundry list of things that bother us, and if we feel our position is slipping we may pull it out and begin sharing all the things that bother us.  They say the best defense is a good offense and that works in some situations but in our interpersonal relationships going for the throat and hitting with all our might may cause damage we don’t want.  It’s normal to get mad sometimes and there may be moments when the person we are closest to drives us nuts.  We can always do the laundry and tell them all the things we don’t like, or we can wait, allow time to calm down, and then talk about what we want.  Words are powerful and once uttered are permanent.  There is no way to go back and erase something we’ve said.  When we lash out in anger and say things that hurt others we may win the battle today but the lingering pain of what we’ve said may last indefinitely.  Instead of doing laundry when we feel overcome, we can look at the situation more objectively.  Many things we disagree about are insignificant in the scope of life.  We can step back, take a breath and see the situation more clearly.  Our relationships are important and take precedence over any difference of opinion.  We can choose to value them and even in disagreement, take care of them.  Every happiness is possible.  Choosing well will help us achieve it.

We would never use a cannon to kill a fly.  A fly swatter is sufficient for the situation and it’s absurd to consider anything more but sometimes in conflict we may choose a cannon when all we need is a fly swatter.  When we feel we are losing we may want to stop everyone in their tracks and take the biggest weapon we can find.  But it’s not helpful to choose something that will destroy when all we really need is a little more influence.  We have all the wisdom we need to make excellent decisions, even in conflict.  We can be appropriate and careful, and still prevail while protecting our relationships.

When we get hit our first reaction may be to hit back.  We don’t have to take abuse without responding but how we respond often determines what happens next.  We can diffuse any situation and find a solution more easily by addressing the affront with patience and clarity.  Communicating calmly will end conflict more effectively than fighting back.  We can choose the best roads going forward.  We can be in control and make decisions that will bring us peace and success.

Today if you’ve had it and want to pull out the laundry list of things you don’t like, think about where that will take you.  Your relationships are precious and more important than any disagreement.  Step back and decide the best way forward.  You are strong and powerful, and nothing is too difficult for you.  Think clearly and choose well.  You’ll find greater happiness and peace ahead.

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