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All In

19 Apr

When there is something or someone we really believe in and want to support, we may give all our attention and focus to helping them. If what they stand for is something we firmly believe in, we may dedicate countless hours to helping them or doing things that move them forward. It’s good to believe strongly and it’s good to have people we admire and support, but it’s important to always remember who we are and keep our personal standards. Blind allegiance will never work in our favor. No matter what we do in our lives our first responsibility is to ourselves. We set our own standards of who we are and what we’ll do. If we get caught up in situations where our faith is so intense we follow directions without thinking, we may find ourselves doing things that don’t match who we really want to be. We can be committed and still remember who we are. If a situation requires us to give up our personal standards we need to stop and re-evaluate our way forward. Being true to ourselves is our first priority. We are in charge of our lives and no matter what anyone else decides, we can always choose for ourselves. We can be dedicated and still hold strong to what is best for us. Our gifts are unique and when we share the best of who we are the world is a better place.

If there is a venture we want to be involved in we may devote our time and energy to it and work hard to move it forward. If we are asked to do something that is outside the scope of what is appropriate for us, we may consider our options. We don’t have to do anything that compromises our standards or is in conflict with the example we want to set. We don’t have to follow along blindly to show support. We always have the power to make the best choices for ourselves and choose how we will engage in any situation. Being true to who we really are is important and we may find ways to support the cause that ensure we continue to hold fast to that.

Some people are very charismatic and convincing. Their actions and words may be very attractive and compelling, and it’s possible to become attracted to their energy and intensity and get involved before we have time to think. When we are captivated it’s wise to take a step back and see the situation completely. It’s important to make choices that take us where we want to go most and help us become the people we truly want to be. We never need to sacrifice our personal standards for someone or something else. We have a lot to offer. When we are true to what we want most, we become the people we want to be.

Today if you’ve been caught up in a situation that is taking you off the road you most want to travel, you can step back. You can support any situation you choose and still be true to yourself. Remember who you are and what you want. You bring gifts to the world that nobody else can give. We all want to know who you really are and are blessed because you’re here.

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Integrity

6 Apr

We can be any kind of people we choose to be. Nobody is born with a fully developed adult personality, and although there are unique traits we carry forward, the type of person we ultimately become is up to us. We can be self-centered, only valuing our own preferences and choices, or we can be welcoming and open to those around us. We can be rude and aggressive or we can be kind and helpful. We are responsible for our behaviors no matter what they are and if we want to be our best we must make choices that take us there. If we are honest and caring in all our dealings we will develop integrity. Integrity is a behavior that raises us and heightens our awareness of what is right. We can choose to value strong moral principles, be undivided in our devotion to them and unmovable in questions of honesty and honor. One of the most important things we must do is keep our promises. Every time we give our word or promise we seal the agreement with our honor. When we follow through on that agreement we gain trust and if we drop the ball we damage our credibility and honesty. If we want to be our very best there can never be a question of keeping our word. We must always follow through on our commitments. When we do, our level of integrity will increase and we will gain the respect of those around us. Being true to ourselves will help us move forward and grow. We can choose high standards and refuse to back down. We can set the bar for the world and our influence will bring great positive impact to those around us.

When we’re unsure of ourselves or don’t have confidence in what we’re doing we may rely on those around us. We may follow their lead and mimic their behaviors until we feel stronger. It’s good to emulate positive and ethical behaviors but sometimes what we see isn’t always the whole story. What looks right initially may turn out to be something entirely different. We can’t know the thoughts of those around us or understand their motivations from the outside. If we simply impersonate what we’re seeing we may end up going someplace we don’t want to be. We always have enough confidence to make our own choices and we can rely on our intuition to make them well.

It may be difficult to choose integrity and truth when someone has deceived us. If we discover we’ve been lied to and are hurt we may think first of revenge. It’s easy to think about smashing someone who has purposely manipulated us but returning the insult will never take us where we want to go. Others may choose what they will but we are only responsible for the choices we make. We can always determine to take the high road and honor our personal values no matter what others decide. When we do, our integrity will rise and we will take a step closer to the person we most want to be. There is no need to let someone else’s problems become ours. We can live our lives any way we choose and when we choose well, we will find happiness.

Today if you see some of your choices haven’t been the best you could make, decide to be true going forward. There is greatness in you. The world needs all the good you have to offer. Step up to the person you most want to be and find success. You are a shining star for the world and your light will open all the doors ahead.

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Filtering Connections

4 Apr

“Well, that face, but with better headlights. You know how hers have kind of dimmed lately? Heidi Klums beams would do. And her teeth. Or, ooh, that Britney Spears girl. She’s got great knockers. But she’s a tad muscular. Uh, actually, you know what? Her ass would do, too, if she had a better grille. Like, uh, Michelle Pfeiffer back when she did “Grease 2”. But she’d have to be a little smilier than Michelle. Kinda like Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, before she got Stamosed. But not as skinny. Someone a little meatier, like Heidi. But without the accent. You know those accents: yah-yah-yah-yah. They really get old fast. You know what I mean. Someone like that.”   Shallow Hal

There are all kinds of people in the world and limitless opportunities for us explore. When we’re open to trying new things, and letting new people into our lives our experiences become broad and far reaching and we learn a lot. Differences are what make us unique and create a depth to our lives that sameness could never offer. If we keep our focus narrow and require that each experience be pre-qualified by a set of parameters we’ve determined, the roads we travel will be narrow and unyielding. Personal restrictions may filter important experiences with others from our lives. Narrowing our scope of opportunity prevents us from having full and rich interactions and our growth forward may be stunted. We may decide what’s comfortable but if we have so many filters that must be met before we can open a door, we may find ourselves locked inside a world that is small and uninspired.

There is nothing wrong with setting high standards for the things we want to do or the people with whom we affiliate. We may decide how we live our lives and who we spend our time with. But differences bring richness and allowing new ideas and situations to come forward helps us understand the world. There are countless interpretations of life and endless ideas and opinions, each offering a new way to see things. If we can reach beyond our pre-determined ideas of what is best and open up to something new our lives will be enriched and our understanding will widen.

We may require countless things to happen before we move forward and each one filters something out we may experience. We can do anything we want to do and being open to new ideas and events will deepen our understanding and enrich our lives. We don’t need pre-requisites and filters for everything. We can let things happen as they will, allow different expressions, and open our eyes to new and diverse ways of seeing things. There is a lot to experience in life. Being receptive to new interpretations gives us the richest and most rewarding return as we navigate forward. There are endless new things to try, people to meet and doors to open. We can be welcoming to new experiences and accepting of differences as we live each day.

Today if you’ve been filtering your experiences with ideas about how things should be, open the playing field a little wider. Welcome new ideas and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll learn. Your life will become richer and deeper. There are endless new things to see and learn and do. Broaden your vision and see everything available to you. Let the filters go and open all the doors. You’ll have a greater experience as you move forward.

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Shallow Roots

2 Mar

There are billions and billions of trees all around the world. They give us shade and beauty, and provide oxygen. The very tiniest of saplings starts out with a single root that reaches down into the earth to absorb nutrients and water essential for survival. As trees mature their root structures expand and depending on circumstances will be either secure or precarious. If there is a lot of surface water and rich soil they may develop a shallow root network having no need to dig deep for what they need to survive. All roots feed the tree but shallow roots are vulnerable to wind damage and deterioration. Without sufficient anchor, in a storm if the wind is strong enough, a tree with shallow roots may fall over. As we go through our lives all the experiences we encounter enrich and strengthen us. If we don’t develop vitality in our relationships or commitment to what we’re doing, we may create shallow roots. We may have enough strength and understanding to get through easy times but if a storm rolls in and we are challenged we may lack the depth we need to find our way. We probably won’t actually fall over, but we may feel overwhelmed because we’ve done nothing to deepen our understanding or become strong. There are many storms in life. When they come, we must be ready with sufficient strength and courage to endure.

There will always be countless opportunities for us to grow and learn. If we reach beyond where we are for something greater we will gain new attributes and skills. Our understanding of life and those around us will be enriched and we’ll have a secure foundation of confidence. We can stretch beyond where we are and try to become something more to deepen our experience and become stronger and more capable. There is more to learn and do than we could ever accomplish and applying ourselves every day will give us a great foundation that will be firm and invincible.

If we prefer to stay in our small area and don’t extend ourselves, we may find comfort in doing the same things each day and feel safe in the familiarity of our lives. But life is unpredictable and there are countless things that may come we can’t anticipate. If all we know is what is comfortable and have no skills for coping with something new, we may be overcome when things change unexpectedly. Instead of hiding out and keeping ourselves isolated it is far wiser to reach out beyond what is comfortable and test our wings. We are far stronger and more capable than we think we are. As we extend ourselves we will find added security and courage. We can do anything. Deciding to reach beyond what is easy will make us stronger and happier as we learn more about life and those around us and we will be ready when things change.

Today if you’ve been keeping yourself in your own world, look a little further. Reach for something new and test your wings. You have incredible abilities just waiting to be experienced. You are strong and capable and you can handle anything that comes to you. Dig deep and let your roots find new direction. You have so much to share with us and we need your influence. Reach out and try something new. You will be enriched and invigorated by what you find.

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Making Predictions

27 Feb

As we go through our lives and interact with those near us we gain an understanding of their reactions and over time we may think we know what they’ll do and what will happen.  We may begin to feel comfortable anticipating the future and get so confident we make predictions before situations even arise.  If we’ve seen the same things happen again and again we may decide they’ll always go that way.  Even if we feel sure of an outcome, and even if the same outcome has happened before it’s dangerous to assume anything.  Sometimes our ideas of what will happen may be right but we can’t know everything and there are bound to be times when our predictions will be way off the mark.  Change is constant and even if things have been the same for a while, those around us can change at any time.  Making predictions will work against us and it’s always wiser to leave the doors open to all possibilities.  We can use all the experiences we’ve had to help us understand situations and the people in our lives, but it’s important to remember everyone has the ability to choose anything at any time.  We can honor their ability to make choices without deciding ahead of time what we believe those choices will be.

We know ourselves better than we know anyone else.  We know how we feel about things, we know where we’ve been and we know what we want.  There are times in everyone’s life when things go wrong and if we focus on instances when we’ve made bad decisions or chosen something that didn’t work out, our confidence may suffer.  If we lose confidence in our ability to make good decisions we may not take advantage of opportunities that come.  If we’ve failed in the past we may believe we’re destined to fail again.  Failure is never a predictor of the future but only a reflection of something that has already happened.  What’s behind us is gone and can never be changed.  We can learn from what we’ve experienced and let it go.  Our futures belong to us and we can be confident, no matter what’s happened before, that we can make excellent choices and achieve anything we want.

Some people like to keep their lives the same as much as possible.  They aren’t comfortable doing new things or being in unfamiliar places.  If we’ve watched them do the same things again and again we may believe we can predict what they’ll do in the future but we may be surprised.  Just when we’re sure we know what others will choose, they may change.  Instead of predicting their choices, we can keep all the options open.  If they stay the course, we can work with their decision.  If they change the pattern, we can work with that as well.  Nothing in life is written in stone.  Being receptive to new ideas and open to all possibilities will open doors for us and help us going forward.

Today if you’ve been making predictions about what will happen or what decisions will be made, revise your thinking and be open to any possibility.  If you’ve decided against trying something new because of a mistake in the past, remember what’s happened before does not control what happens now.  Life is filled with change and nothing is permanent. You have everything you need to do anything you want.  There is greatness in you.  Today bring it forward, open all the doors and consider all the possibilities.

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