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Hedge Fund

16 Jan

When we want something very badly and we aren’t sure we can accomplish it, we may hedge our bet to try to increase our odds. For instance, if we’re dating someone we like but aren’t sure the relationship will go anywhere, we may decide to date someone else on the side. That way, if one situation ends, we’ll have the other to fall back on. Or if we want someone to believe in us but know we can’t give them what they need, we may fabricate stories about our plans and pretend to do things in ways that will bring them closer. We may think if we can get them on board we’ll figure out how to keep them there later. Hedging our bet is a way to negate any loss that may come. In some arenas, it’s not a bad idea, but when interacting with others, it can be dangerous. Working behind the scenes may work against us. If those involved discover what we’re doing, we may lose everything. Nobody appreciates dishonesty and if our subterfuge is uncovered, the goal we’re seeking may be lost. Forever. When we want something, the best choice is to honestly and openly express our desire for it, and then do what is needed to achieve it. There isn’t anything we can’t do and we can gain whatever we’re seeking with honor. We don’t need to hedge our bet to win. We can win by doing our best.

The world is filled with all kinds of ideas. There are many ways to accomplish anything and if we choose to manipulate a situation, our options increase. If we aren’t sure we can get to our goal, we may choose to creatively shape our actions and frame our ideas in ways that make them seem more attractive. There is nothing wrong with enhancing our approach to make it more successful, but if we do it using trickery or pretense, we may get to the goal but our success may be precarious. Truth always rises and once all the facts are uncovered we may lose in the end. It does no good to gain something that slips through our fingers once our deceptive methods have been uncovered.

There are times when we may be unsure we can accomplish what we we’re seeking. We may think we don’t have the tools needed to get there or others involved will not receive us. We can talk ourselves out of any goal if our desire to achieve it isn’t strong enough. But there really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish. We have everything we need to succeed and even if we aren’t sure, we can go forward step by step and get to the goal. Manipulation, deceit, duplicity and trickery are tools for the weak. We are strong enough to move forward being honest and clear in our objective and we will succeed. We don’t need to hedge our bets. We have everything we need already.

Today if you’re thinking of manipulating a situation to get what you want, remember your integrity. You already have everything you need to succeed and you can win by being honest and sincere. There isn’t anything you can’t accomplish. Be the best you can be today and make your decisions based on the high standards you cherish. You are a gift to the world. Set the example for good and choose well.

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Nobody Knows

14 Jan

They say everyone has secrets of some sort. Maybe there are personal things we keep to ourselves or maybe we lie about our age, or our background, or stretch the truth when talking about our experiences. Or we may be dishonest about big things like if we were married before or have broken the law. We can say anything we want and can be honest or lie. We can do things privately when nobody is looking, perhaps unethical or even illegal things, and hope no one finds out. We may think if nobody knows what we’re doing we’ll get away with it and be fine, but nobody is perfect, and we may leave a trail that leads back to us. If we’re found out we may deny the allegations, but once we’ve done something, no matter what it is, it’s permanent and cannot be undone. It will be there forever. Doing something badly or dishonestly can never bring us happiness. Our personal integrity is priceless. It’s worth more than anything we could ever acquire or own. If we compromise it, even if nobody knows, we lose. We are what we do and in the end if we choose well, even when it’s hard to make a good choice, we will gain. We can choose the higher course and opt for nobility even when other options arise. There is nothing more powerful than being honest and true, and it shows in everything we do.

Some people think if nobody knows what we’ve done, it’s like it didn’t happen. It’s almost as though they believe in a parallel universe where our secret actions can hide, never to be revealed. We could live two lives at the same time – the one we live out in the open and share with others, and the one we live in secret doing things we hope nobody will ever see. However, deception will complicate our lives and get in the way of our decisions, and can block our way forward. Only by being honest and straightforward, by living cleanly and openly, will we ever achieve our greatest hopes and dreams.

A spider’s web is an intricate and sticky creation. It’s designed to hold whatever crawls onto it or gets too close. Once captured, struggling only increases its hold on the victim and it’s impossible to escape. When we tangle our lives up with dishonest choices and lies, when we hide what we’re doing and keep secrets, we create a personal web that captures us and holds us tight. Everywhere we turn we must be careful not to reveal some private information or let others too close. If we continue the deceit, we may find ourselves stuck and unable to move forward. But we can free ourselves by choosing to be honest. Each time we make a good decision it will open a new door for us, and in time, we will be able to let go of all the trappings we created. There is nothing better than an honest, noble life. It will bring us happiness and peace, and we will move forward with confidence.

Today if you’ve been tangling your life up with the complications of dishonesty and secrecy, change your path going forward. Living openly and nobly will open all the doors for you. Choose wisely and move ahead with confidence. You deserve the best of everything and choosing well will bring it to you.

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Out of Control

19 Dec

Life can be unexpected and we may sometimes find ourselves in situations that are uncomfortable for us. There may be moments when because of situation or circumstance, someone may try to take control of our lives in ways that are difficult to deal with. If somebody else is more forceful than we are and decisions must be made, they may take command and if we don’t speak up we may end up facing things we don’t want to do. And sometimes we don’t have control over something simply because we are outsiders and decisions were made that affect our lives that we had no way to prevent. We all want to control what we do and where we go and often that’s the case, and if we find ourselves having to do something we didn’t choose it can be difficult to navigate. We are in charge of our lives and we may choose what we do. If we don’t want to participate in a decision, we don’t have to. It may be difficult to decline and refuse if someone close to us is adamant that we join in, but if we don’t want to be a part of the plan we can say no. We know what’s best for us and can make any decision we need to ensure that’s what we get.

Some people want to control a lot in life. In group settings, they like to decide what the group will do, where they will go, and what will happen. They often feel they know more than others and their opinions are the best that can be offered. However, we have control over our lives and may take them anywhere we want to go. But our lives are the only lives we have authority over. It is inappropriate and inconsiderate to believe we know what’s best for others. We may have good suggestions and may certainly offer them, but they are suggestions and not orders. We don’t have the right to tell others how to live their lives. If someone wants control over our decisions, we may politely thank them for their ideas and explain that we will decide what is best for us. We are the only ones who know everything about what we’re doing and where we want to go. We know how to choose the best path forward and although the advice of those we care about may be valued, our decisions belong to us.

In our intimate and close relationships, our loved ones may try to control the paths we’ll take. If we don’t comply they may resort to emotional blackmail and coercion to get their way. No matter what anyone else wants us to do or how much pressure they exert we can still choose what’s best for us. We have the great privilege and responsibility of managing our lives and taking them where we most want to go and we don’t have to do anything we don’t want to do. We drive our own personal trains and we know what tracks we want to travel. We can choose well and reach any destination we desire.

Today if someone has been trying to get you to follow their lead and you are uncomfortable, you may say no. You are capable of choosing the very best paths for your life and you know what you want and need. Be confident in choosing for yourself and forging your own way. You have everything you need to succeed and be happy. You know where you want to go and you will get there.

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Super Moon

15 Dec

As we go through our lives and attend to all our responsibilities we are focused on the things that need to get done and where we want to be. Life can be busy and complicated, it can get messy and troublesome, and we may get lost seeing only what’s just ahead and miss other things going by. There are moments for all of us that are so captivating we are entirely consumed by them – our baby’s first step, the first kiss with a new love, a beautiful snowflake, a rainbow after a big storm, a reunion with a long, lost relative, and other poignant and captivating experiences. But many times, as we’re accomplishing our tasks we don’t notice some of the beautiful, enchanting or rewarding things passing us by. We keep our heads down and our eyes focused on the goal ahead and never hear the ice cream truck or see the red balloon floating up in the sky. It’s good to be focused and moving forward but there are many blessings all around us. If we look up, and see what else is going on our lives will be enriched and blessed. We only get one chance to live each day. Seeing everything we can, and noticing every nuance possible will bring us great joy and fulfillment.

Sometimes we have good intentions to do something, see something, or go somewhere but our schedules get in the way and we don’t make it. Super moons don’t happen all the time. They only occur when a full moon makes its closest approach to the earth. When that happens, the moon appears larger and brighter than normal and it’s amazing to behold. When one is predicted, we may read or hear about it and decide we want to see it, but then miss it because we were busy and forgot. We got carried away with all the things we were doing and didn’t take time to see it. Our chance to experience it has passed. Of course, it’ll come around again but if we continue doing things as we’ve been doing them, chances are we may miss it again.

It’s important to do all the many tasks we need to accomplish. Others rely on us and we must take care of ourselves. But as we’re storming through our days and checking off our lists, there are magical things all around us just waiting to be noticed. If we can slow down just a little and look up, be in the moment and cherish each breath, and pay more attention to the world around us we will be happier and our lives will be richer. We can stop and remember the very first time we tasted chocolate, or see how it feels to swing as high as possible, or how much fun it is to run into the ocean. If we do, our daily experiences will be enhanced. There are limitless things to do and see in life. We can reach out to them and broaden our horizons and our capacity for happiness will increase. We can get the most out of each day. We can see more, notice more, and remember how wonderful it is to be alive.

Today if you’ve been focused on your tasks and what needs to be done, look up and see what’s going on around you. Notice everything and broaden your scope. There’s something that will make you smile and bring you joy. Pay attention and let it fill your heart going forward. Your life is precious and wonderful. See everything and live it as fully as possible.

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Which Way is Up

7 Dec

For student pilots who haven’t yet learned to use the instruments on a plane, vertigo can be a serious issue. When flying through clouds, rain, or fog without instruments it can be hard to figure out which way is up. Disorientation may occur because it’s impossible to see the land below and everything looks the same. It can be difficult to discern if the plane is ascending or descending. Learning to understand and rely on the instrument panel to show what’s happening, despite the visual clues, will enable a pilot to safely navigate through hazardous situations. Without them, disaster may result. In our personal lives, we rely on a lot of physical clues to tell us what is going on and what we should do. We see and hear things and then proceed accordingly. But sometimes we can’t see the whole story and may become confused and disoriented. If we aren’t sure how to proceed, we can rely on our internal instrument panel to guide us. We can think about the issue, discern what is real, decide which way is up, and chart our course forward. Our previous experiences give us information to guide us. We can clarify our direction by evaluating the situation carefully and taking the time to determine which way we need to go.

It can be easy to get confused when there is a lot going on or we’re receiving mixed messages about something. When we have a decision to make and lots of people are weighing in and giving us advice it may be confounding trying to figure out what to do. Everyone has a different opinion and although there may be many good suggestions, if they all come at us at the same time we may get lost in the commotion. It’s like being in a dense fog or trying to navigate through the clouds to find the answers. If we step away from all the confusion and take time to think and clear our thoughts, we’ll figure out the answers we need. By consulting our internal navigation system, we can find our way. We have great intuition and inspiration available to us and we can access it and use it to direct our course forward.

There are no decisions that are beyond our capability to understand. We can think about even complex situations and comprehend what we need to do to address them and solve any problem that comes up. We can draw on our past experiences and all the things we’ve learned as we’ve lived through each day and we can discern truth. If we take the time to look at each variable and plan our way forward step by step, we will succeed. It doesn’t matter how foggy it gets, how hard it rains, or how many clouds are gathering above, we have everything we need to clear the confusion and go forward with confidence. We are wiser and braver than we think we are and there is nothing too difficult for us to navigate.

Today if you’re in a complicated situation and there is a lot of confusion and interference, step away and clear your head. You have all the answers already. Identify them and plan your way forward. You can do anything and solve any problem. You will find your way through with confidence and clarity. You have everything you need.

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