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Chipping Away

20 Mar

It would be wonderful if everyone around us was supportive and kind. We could face each day knowing no matter what happened we could count on others for help. While many of us are helpful and willing to shoulder burdens with those around us, not everyone embraces that model. There are all kinds of expressions and some people are frankly rude and mean. Others are selfish and don’t care about anyone but themselves. If we’re in a situation with people like that we may feel stranded and alone. If we do something they don’t like they may ridicule and demean us. They may criticize and treat us with distain, and each exchange with them may chip away a little of our confidence. Continual exposure may leave us feeling insignificant and worthless. Everyone makes their own decisions and some people choose poorly. We can only control what we do and if we have to deal with those who hurt us, we may struggle to stand tall. It’s not easy to endure people who demean and it’s hard to remain confident near them, but we have all the strength and courage we need to stand strong. Those who want to chip away at others may do so, but we need not internalize their criticisms and judgements. We don’t have to accept anything that diminishes us and can simply let it slide away. It doesn’t matter why someone is being destructive, and it doesn’t matter what their objectives are for employing bad behavior. What matters is how we feel about ourselves. We know who we are and nothing anyone says can change that. We can stand tall, brush off any criticism, and continue forward with confidence. Our lives belong to us and we can choose to make the best choices as we push ahead.

If we’re in a situation with someone who makes a point of putting us down or hurting us, we can walk away. No matter what the relationship is, we don’t have to stay and endure personal attacks. We don’t have to fight back, and we don’t have to engage and defend ourselves. We can simply walk away. We can take control of the situation and take care of ourselves. We are courageous when we manage our actions effectively and protect our self-esteem.

If the decisions of others impact us negatively, we may do what is necessary to correct the situation. We may disengage our relationship with them, distance ourselves from their influence, and stand up and hold firm in response. We have so much to offer. We are good and strong, powerful and wise. We need never fall down under the criticism of anyone else. Our presence is a gift to the world and we can honor that and remember how valuable and precious we are.

Today if someone has demeaned you and made you feel small and unworthy, remember who you are. You are amazing and bring light and goodness to the world. We’re all blessed because you’re here. Stand up and stand tall. You are extraordinary and precious. Every success is possible and nothing will hold you back. Remember who you are and move forward with confidence.

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Restart

14 Mar

When we want to learn something new, or accomplish something we’ve been pondering, we might look at others who have already completed the goal and see how they did it.  We may try to emulate them in an effort to find success.  It’s possible to accomplish something by copying someone else’s choices, but that doesn’t always work.  We might find no matter how hard we try, what worked for them doesn’t work for us.  Sometimes a change in timing, or expression, or even location may make what worked before impossible now.  We can keep hammering away at the issue but if it’s not going to work no matter how hard we try, we may be stuck.  There are always many roads to any destination.  If what we’re doing isn’t working, we can reroute our direction and start again.  We can revise our plans, take a look at all the options available and carve a new road going forward.  We can go anywhere we want to go and no matter how far the road is or how convoluted the path may be, find our way.  All destinations are possible but we may need to carve a new path to get there.  We are certainly capable of creating a new road any time we need one.  If we keep our eyes on the goal and focus moving forward we will reach it.  There is nothing too difficult or too far away.  We are powerful and wise and nothing is impossible.  Success will come when we’re open to new possibilities and keep moving ahead.

Sometimes it may seem as though everyone around us is having success with something we cannot accomplish.  Everyone is different and our understanding of each situation is unique.  We know who we are and what we need to be successful.  We can change our methods and chart our own course.  There are infinite roads to every goal, and we can find the path that brings us success.  Our interpretations and expressions belong to us alone and by doing things our way we enhance the world around us.  We can forge our own path and find the way to any goal we desire.

The world is filled with differences everywhere we look.  There are many ways to view any situation and there will always be more than one answer possible.  Our ability to see things differently than those around us will enrich our experiences and bring fresh perspectives to every situation.  We are all individual and every new idea opens our understanding to new possibilities.  We don’t have to copy others to be successful.  We can choose our own path and create unique lives that reflect who we are and what we bring to the world.  Life is an incredible gift.  Being completely ourselves blesses us and those around us.

Today if you’ve been following someone else’s patterns in an effort to find success, remember how unique and wonderful you are.  You have so much to offer the world just as you are.  Look at all your options and choose the road that reflects your individuality and personal choices.  Every success is possible and nothing is out of reach.  Share your unique perspective.  The whole world is blessed because you are here.

 

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Have Mercy

12 Mar

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time.  We don’t know everything and sometimes we choose the wrong path for many different reasons.  When we choose badly and hurt those around us, we may ask for forgiveness in an effort to move forward more easily.  It’s good to forgive others when they’ve hurt us.  Carrying around anger from an issue in the past can hold us back and rob our freedom.  If we hold onto anger and disappointment it may keep us from happiness, and the weight of the load may make us miserable.  Forgiving someone for something egregious doesn’t justify or excuse their behavior, but allows us to let go of the pain and be free of the anger.  It’s good to have mercy on others when they’ve erred, and shake away anything holding us in place.  When we’ve been hurt or offended, when someone has done something to diminish us or harm us, we may forgive them knowing the act of forgiving them is for us, to release us from the pain.  Mercy is an act of compassion and kindness, and we can have mercy even when it’s difficult.  Everyone is responsible for every decision they make and mercy will never remove accountability or justice.  Even if we’ve been forgiven, we must answer for every choice.  Nobody is perfect and there will be times when we all make mistakes.  We can only control our own decisions and if we’ve been hurt, we can forgive and move on.  Life is long and we have unlimited experiences as we navigate forward.  We need not carry any pain along with us.  We can have mercy, let go, and trust that justice will prevail.

Revenge seems like a good idea when we’ve been hurt.  It seems fair to even to the score and inflict on someone else what they’ve done to us – or worse.  We all want life to be fair, and may try hard to make sure we’re always fair and appropriate with those around us.  If we’ve been treated badly, we may be tempted to strike back in an effort to make things right.  But lowering our standards to those who have done something wrong will only prove we can do what they’ve done.  It will never elevate us, or make us better.

Allowing those who choose badly to be accountable for what they’ve done instead of trying to punish them is appropriate.  When we’ve been hurt we can determine to continue to be the best we can be and live up to the personal standard we’ve set.  Our lives belong to us and what we do is our responsibility.  Instead of evening the score when we’ve been hurt, we can choose instead to overcome it.  There is nothing more important or powerful than our personal integrity.  Choosing well, despite the choices of others will bring us satisfaction and happiness.

Today if someone has hurt you or done something untoward or hateful to you, remember who you are and honor your personal standards.  You are capable of greatness and nothing is more important than your personal integrity.  Rise above contention and choose nobility.  Nothing can diminish you or hold you in place.  Move forward with confidence.  You are amazing and incredible, and there is great success ahead.

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Rapids

9 Mar

There are limitless opportunities in life to try new things and push ourselves further.  Each situation pushes us and teaches us new things.  If we go on a canoe trip down a slow moving river and come upon a set of rapids, we may feel concerned and intimidated.  The water may be deep, the current may be powerful, and the rapids may be threatening.  No matter how rough the water, we can navigate through it, and when we reach the other side will feel victorious, having overcome something challenging and new.  Rough water and unexpected turbulence may seem sinister and looming at first, but we are strong and capable of managing whatever we must face.  We can set out to seek new horizons and chance the rapids of the unknown instead of holding onto routine.  When we do, we stretch beyond our current boundaries and discover new things about the world, and about ourselves.  There are millions of new experiences awaiting us.  Every situation teaches us something new and as we push through them and reach further we will gain personal strength and greater confidence moving forward.  We are capable of much more than we recognize and can trust ourselves to manage any new situation and find the way forward.  Life is a great blessing and each time we try something new, we gain a greater understanding of how the world works, and our place in it.  We can look ahead with confidence and reach further to stretch beyond what is comfortable.  We can take new chances, and overcome any obstacle before us.

There are countless roads to travel as we go through our lives, and stepping off our current path may be unsettling at first.  New situations and interactions may feel uncomfortable at the beginning.  Unknown territory presents new situations but if we remain for a time, we learn about it and find a way to work within it.  Once we understand a new situation, it becomes ours and is no longer strange and uncomfortable.  We have the capacity to understand everything.  As we learn new things and they become familiar, we can make them a part of our lives.

Sometimes we want to do something new but don’t think we have enough wisdom or courage to do it.  We don’t have to know everything about a new endeavor before we begin.  We only need the desire to do it and the willingness to learn about it.  Our capacity for learning is unlimited and anything we want to do is possible.  We can begin a new journey at any time.  We can face the rapids that may come and overcome any challenge before us.  Life is an incredible blessing.  Living it to the fullest and taking every opportunity to learn and grow will bring us great satisfaction and happiness.

Today if you’ve been wanting to do something new but have been afraid you might fail, do it anyway.  If you fail the first time, do it again.  Success is always possible and you will prevail.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  You are strong and capable, and everything is within reach.  Go forward with confidence, embrace the challenge, and you’ll find success.

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Defining Bravery

6 Mar

Everyone has heard stories of amazing bravery and incredible courage. Fire fighters who run into burning buildings to rescue children, people who stand up to vicious criminals and save themselves and those with them, and people who risk their lives to go back for someone left behind in a flood. There are countless stories of incredible strength and courage in the face of terrible odds and sure disaster. Although we may have the opportunity to experience events like these, many of us will go through our lives without facing them. We may wonder how brave we really are if we never get the chance to face insurmountable odds and prove ourselves. It may seem courage requires extreme conditions to show itself, but that isn’t true. Sometimes the quietest lives exhibit amazing bravery. Quiet courage is no less impressive than extreme examples. The determined decision to do our best no matter what comes and the willingness to endure difficult situations with grace and dignity are examples of bravery and courage. When we choose the best choice in a difficult situation and must step away from what is comfortable and easy, we are valiant. When we refuse to let anger overcome us and remain calm in the face of serious conflict, we are noble. Every decision we make decides who we are. Life is filled with endless challenges and each time we take a step toward what is right, each time we refuse to be overcome and stand strong, we are brave and courageous. There is nothing we can’t do and do well. Understanding our true power will help us move forward and give us the wisdom we need to prevail.

We don’t have to be fearless to be brave. Fear is a natural response to threat and may present itself under many different situations. We will undoubtedly feel fear when we have a near miss that endangers us but it may also be present when someone confronts us or we must do something new. When we stand strong and choose the right, we exhibit great courage and strength. We are more powerful than we know and every time we make an excellent choice, our power increases. We have everything we need to be brave even in the most challenging situations, and each step we take forward brings us greater strength and ability.

Personal strength is something we may continually work on as we go through our lives. We all want to make our dreams come true and increasing our courage and temerity will help us. We can do anything we really want to do. There really isn’t anything strong enough to keep us from any goal if we are determined to make it a reality. Recognizing the power we hold as we push forward and remembering how capable we are will enable us to overcome any obstacle in our way and find success. The whole world is available to us and we can go anywhere we desire.

Today if you don’t think you have the courage to do something, remember how powerful you are. You are braver and wiser than you realize. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Forge ahead and push through anything in your way. All your dreams are there for you and you will reach them. The road ahead is wide open and waiting.

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