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Achilles

31 Jul

No matter how many gifts and talents we possess, or how confident and strong we become we all have something we carry with us we may deem a weakness or vulnerability.  Perhaps we are afflicted with obsession, fear, anger, an intense flight reflex, compulsion or a thousand other behavior traits that hang us up and sometimes prevent us from moving forward.  We may work on resolving the issue and make progress in overcoming it but often it may remain even if we’ve been able to diminish it.  It’s like our Achilles heel.  The legend of Achilles is his mother dipped him in the waters of the River Styx and he became invincible, except for the part of his heel by which she held him.  In a great battle he was shot in that heel with an arrow, and died.  When we are dealing with something again and again we may think of it as our Achilles heel, the one thing that holds us back and trips us up.  We may certainly take whatever steps we feel will help us change the situation and allow us to more comfortably move forward.  We have a lot of positive attributes and we all do many things well.  As we try to change something in our behavior we may focus on the problem so intently we lose sight of all the positive things we accomplish every day.  It’s good to address the things we feel compromise or inhibit us from becoming our best but we can also remember how great we are in other ways.  One complication doesn’t change all the good we do.  We all have so much to offer.  There isn’t anything we can’t accomplish and nothing too difficult for us to manage.

No two people are the same and we all have things we must deal with from time to time.  What is simple for one is difficult for another.  It’s easy to look at others and think their lives are better than ours, they have more opportunities than we have or they don’t have the problems we must face.  We might be right about some of that but everyone gets their own unique set of challenges and issues to face.  Even if we can’t see them it’s probable everyone around us is solving some problem or facing some complication that is making life difficult for them.

We have all the tools we need to change anything we desire in our lives.  We know ourselves better than anyone else ever could.  Every challenge and test that comes will teach us something new about ourselves and as we solve each problem we’ll gain additional attributes to assist us going forward.  We can address any pattern or behavior that isn’t working for us and we can change our path at any time.  There may be moments of doubt but we can pull our courage forward and become fearless in moving ahead.  The world belongs to those who take it.  We have everything we need to get anywhere we want to go.  Every step we take moves us closer to our goal.

Today if you’ve been struggling with a behavior that has held you back, look at the situation objectively and see how you may modify your course.  You already know where you want to go.  There is nothing strong enough to hold you in place and success is waiting for you.  You have everything you need to achieve it.

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Navigating

27 Jul

Things don’t always go the way we want them to. There are lots of people around us all the time making all kinds of decisions that may have an impact on us. If those decisions are beneficial we welcome them but sometimes we are affected in negative ways by the actions of others. When our plans get derailed or we must face unexpected complications because someone is in the way we may feel intense frustration or even anger. It’s hard when we we’re trying to accomplish something and there is a roadblock we can’t get past. We always have options and even if someone else is determined to keep us from success we can find a way around them, but it might take considerable time and effort to get there. It isn’t easy to work with difficult people but we can keep our eyes on the goal and do what is best for us. No matter what they’re doing we can find personal success on our own terms. The decisions of others belong to them. We can continue to choose what is best for us even if it means we have to modify our plans to get around someone else. If we keep moving forward no matter what complications are in our path we will win. There isn’t anything we can’t manage and no matter what difficulties arise we can find our way forward.

Not everyone is easy going and some people enjoy creating complications and drama. They may make bad decisions and manufacture problems that don’t exist in an effort to keep the intensity level up and cause stress to those around them. Their reasons are inconsequential. Although their decisions may impact us negatively, if we want to move ahead we can find a way around them. We can exercise patience if we must deal with them directly and ignore them if they are unpleasant. We can always find the way forward by being true to what is best for us and keeping our eyes on the goal.

Some people make bad decisions and don’t care how they affect others. They may create problems to make a point, look for ways to complicate interactions or manipulate the truth to achieve a personal desire. The trouble they cause is irrelevant to them and they don’t seem to care about anyone but themselves. When we must deal with them odds are whatever we’re doing will become more difficult. We can’t change others but we can control how we manage their decisions. We can always make the best choices going forward despite what others are doing. Success is always available to us and no matter what others choose, we will achieve it.

Today if you must deal with someone who is causing complications for you and you feel frustrated and stuck, remember there are limitless ways to reach any goal. Consider all your options going forward and choose the best road ahead. There isn’t anyone powerful enough to hold you back. You can do anything. You have everything you need to be successful and you will win.

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What We See

13 Jul

“Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw the mud, the other saw stars.” Dale Carnegie

They say perception is reality. We all see things through our own paradigms and they are colored by our perception and how we think. Some people are natural optimists and even in dark times find something that makes them happy. Others see trouble in every aspect of their lives and struggle to feel joy. Two people facing the exact same issue may see it completely differently. We have the power to change our perspective and choose to find joy no matter what we’re facing. There will always be something to be happy about no matter how dire the circumstances. If we determine to find the one good thing while we struggle we will feel calmer and more confident as we go forward. Life is a great blessing. It isn’t always easy, it isn’t always fun and it isn’t always what we want to do. But no matter what it is, we have everything we need to not only survive but thrive as we progress. We can look down and see only mud, or we can turn our eyes upward and see the stars. It’s all there for us. We need only choose how we’ll see it.

We take a lot for granted as we go through our days. We grow accustomed to our comfortable homes, our cars, our clothes, our food, our jobs if we have them, and all the rest. We expect them to be there from day to day and rarely think about losing them. But sometimes life throws a wrench into the works and something fails. We get sick, or our cars die, or our jobs are threatened and suddenly we remember how many blessings we have and how much we want them. It’s easy to become complacent until the bottom falls out and we must face the possibility of losing something we love. We can choose to be thankful for everything we have. When we recognize our personal blessings, and appreciate all the gifts we possess, we’ll find more humility and grace and get closer to the person we most want to be.

Some people are never happy. They may complain because they don’t have a job and then get one and complain because it’s hard to go to work every day. There are lots of reasons why people are unhappy and we can justify every emotion we feel but happiness is a choice we make. It’s something only we can give ourselves. It really doesn’t matter what is going on outside us. If we choose to, we can find happiness in any situation. There will always be something for which to be grateful. If we seek out those precious, sometimes small gifts, our lives will be enhanced and we will feel deeper joy. Life is an incredible gift but how we live it is up to us.

Today if you’ve been feeling bad and find yourself looking down at the mud instead of up at the stars, change your focus. You have so many things to be grateful for. Find joy in the small moments and see every gift you possess. Your life is precious and priceless. Be happy and find joy. It’s right there for you. Reach for it and embrace it.

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Moving On

11 Jul

There are all kinds of people in the world. Some embellish our lives and bring us fun and happiness. Others may bring complication and drama. There are limitless experiences and we might face times when we get hurt because of our association with someone. The human race is a mixed bag and from day to day we never know what we’re going to see. When we have painful experiences with others and are hurt deeply we may want to get as far from them as possible, and sometimes we can do that. But if we must continue to interact with them because of professional alliances or personal connections we can’t break such as family relationships, it may be hard when they are near us. If the pain is raw it may be difficult to breathe when they appear and very hard to navigate the situation. Even if we’ve been successful in staying away from them for a time, if they unexpectedly re-enter our circle it may be hard to get through. The memory of the pain from our previous experience may come flooding back and we may feel we’re suffering through it all again. Even if it feels we’re right back where we were it’s only an illusion triggered by memory. We can take a breath and remember how far we’ve come. We need not re-live anything that is painful and if old feelings wash over us we can see them objectively and let them go. Old wounds always heal if we let them and memories only have the power we give them. We have so much to offer and can keep moving forward no matter what has passed. Each day brings a new promise and we can create happy and successful lives going forward.

Deception is a destructive tool. It can be used to create convincing mirages that mislead us. If others use deception to pull us in we may find ourselves walking foreign territory, unsure of what is real and where to go. Often there is much confusion and misdirection but we may miss the cues if we value those leading us along. When the deception is revealed, as it inevitably will be, we may feel lost or shame that we fell for the lie. But there is no fault when we have faith and believe in others. The blame and responsibility belong to those who deceive and not those who are taken in.

Honesty is an all or nothing position. We’re either honest or we aren’t. There is no sliding scale or gray area. When we are honest in all our dealings our lives are easier to manage and clearly understood by those around us. If we manipulate the truth to suit our needs, or pretend to be something we aren’t, in time our deception will be uncovered. Hurting others through deception will never bring us lasting happiness. It’s far better to live cleanly and openly, even when the truth is difficult. Using dishonest plans, following those who deceive or reshaping what is real to fit our personal desires will only bring us hardship. We can live noble and honest lives and choose what is best at every turn and when we do we’ll find lasting happiness.

Today if you must face a situation that carries with it bad memories from the past, remember who you are and how far you’ve come. You are strong and resilient and capable of living an excellent and successful life. The past is behind you and has no power over your future. Go forward with confidence. There isn’t anything you can’t do.

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Setting it Back

10 Jul

As we direct our lives forward sometimes we suffer setbacks that move us backward or hold us in place.  They may involve others who have a different idea of what we should be doing or unforeseen circumstances or developments that stop us in our tracks.  Setbacks are never in our plans and when they happen all we may see is the time we’re losing as we try to correct our course.  It’s irritating when something stands in our way going forward but setbacks are not just complications.  They are also opportunities to stop and review the plans we’ve made and look at options going forward.  Every problem brings with it an opportunity to learn.  If we maximize those opportunities and learn as much as possible we will find the way forward and carry with us all the information we gain.  No matter how much we know about anything we can’t know everything.  A setback is merely a pause in our progress that gives us time to look again.  While we’re standing still we can review our plans and explore new options.  We may find a different perspective that opens new arenas we had not previously considered.  There isn’t anything that can stop us from reaching our goals.  No matter what detours or diversions arise we can find the way to success.

Big plans often have many moving parts.  We may need to fully accomplish one step before we can move to the next.  If it takes a long time or the journey is complicated and difficult we may tire of the struggle and get burned out.  If we need a break we can take one.  Sometimes stepping back for a short time and gaining a fresh view allows us to find ways to move forward more quickly and efficiently.  If we get mired down in our efforts we may develop tunnel vision only being able to see one road ahead.  But there are many roads that lead to every destination.  If we step back and set the goal aside for a moment we may more easily see other options available to us and find a clearer path going forward.

There is no required timeline for most of the goals we want to achieve.  We can set our own schedule and work around the other parameters of our lives.  If we must step away from a goal for a time in order to focus on more pressing situations we can set it back and then pick it up again when the time is right.  There is no need to pressure ourselves to accomplish anything too quickly.  We can make plans that fit into our lives without compromising the other responsibilities we must care for.  There really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.  We are capable and wise and can move forward in exactly the best way.

Today if you’ve been pushing hard to reach a goal and have suffered a setback and are stuck, use the time to see the whole picture.  Let all the options present themselves and you’ll find the next step.  You are smarter than you think and there isn’t anything you can’t do.  Look around.  The road is there for you and you will find it.  Success is just ahead.

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