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Light and Darkness

24 Feb

There is a lot of contention in the world these days and we may feel a lot of concern about what’s happening. There are wars, and rumors of wars, trouble with governments, problems with schools, and high prices that may be making us jittery and unhappy. These are treacherous times and we may worry about what will happen next. It’s hard to feel comfortable when we feel like there’s a lot going wrong. The world is a big place filled with all kinds of different people, different ideas, and choices. When there are differences, as there always are, things can get complicated in a hurry. It’s difficult to navigate complex and unpredictable times, and we can’t control what our neighbors do, what our leaders do or anyone else, and if their choices affect us negatively we may feel angry and upset. It’s hard to be happy when we feel beset by trouble. There is no way to know what will happen next, and we may worry about our safety and our future. It hard to look ahead when we feel overwhelmed and unsettled, but we have complete control over our own lives. No matter what’s going on, peace is always possible. When there’s a lot going wrong and we feel stressed, we can find respite by choosing to be kind and considerate to those around us. Simply saying “Hello” or offering a smile to those we pass, we will not only lift them, but we will lift ourselves. Worry will change nothing. By looking up and choosing to be happy, despite our circumstance, we can step forward with confidence. We are wise and more powerful than we imagine. By choosing to find joy in whatever situation presents itself, we will discover great happiness and peace.

Roses are beautiful flowers. They smell as good as they look and bring pleasure and beauty to the world. But just below the lovely blossoms, there are very sharp and strong thorns, and if we aren’t careful, we may get cut when we handle them. Life is a lot like that. There are great experiences possible and we will all have precious days filled with happiness. We will also have days filled with sorrow and grief. Nothing is perfect and there is good and bad in every situation. We can focus on everything that has and may still go wrong, and fill our minds with worry and anxiety. Or we can focus on what works, and is beautiful and open happiness and joy. By choosing to see the light in the darkness, we will feel great peace as we move forward.

Sometimes the road turns and we get tangled up in trouble and distress, and we may feel overcome and upset.  Hard times will come to us all but nothing is permanent and in time whatever we’re experiencing will change. The clouds will clear, the darkness will lift and there will be light ahead. By trusting ourselves when we’re facing very difficult and challenging times, we can be sure of success and find our way forward. We are intelligent and capable, and nothing is powerful enough to hold us down forever.

Today if you’re worried and concerned about what’s happening around you, stand still and look at everything openly and objectively. There will always be a way forward, and all the answers you need to find it are there for you. Be confident and trust yourself. There is greatness inside you and nothing can keep you from success. Look up and step forward. Nothing is out of reach and you will prevail.

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Still Waters

14 Feb

Everyone wants an easy life where everything always goes well and there is no stress or complication. It would be great if all our stories had happy endings, and nothing terrible, painful or disastrous ever happened. That works in storybooks, but isn’t generally the case in real life. Some roads are paved and clear, and when we sail along without trials or problems, life is great. There are sunny skies overhead and we feel good. But change is constant and nothing can stay the same forever. Trouble comes to us all. Lovers leave, jobs disappoint, others hurt us, we’re short on money and patience, and there are dark clouds looming. Everyone’s experience is different, and even when we know someone well, we may have no idea what they’re going through inside. Our personal sorrows are private and we may not wish to share them. Instead of putting everything out in the open and letting everyone see what’s wrong, we may slap a smile on our faces, and pretend all is well. We might push ourselves through the heartache and keep going. There is no way to know what anyone else is really going through unless they tell us, and private pain is just that – private. Still waters look lovely, and the sun glistening on the surface can never expose what is happening underwater. There may be piranhas, sharks, poisonous plants or a number of other terrible possibilities. If we only see the surface, we only have part of the story. People are the same way. They may look fine on the outside, and be suffering a terrible pain on the inside. Life isn’t always easy and we’re all going to suffer at some point. By being patient and listening, even when things look fine, we can be supportive and helpful to those around us.

Some people guard their emotions. They don’t share their troubles with others, and when things go wrong, they may prefer to face them alone. We may learn of their difficulties through someone else, and want to help while still honoring their privacy. By extending ourselves we can do something for them without prying into their personal lives. Just being there and offering our friendship can soothe a difficult situation and make the road ahead a little easier.

Sometimes people are short, impatient or rude with those around them. Maybe they’re just impolite, or maybe there is something more going on. Painful situations can cause a lot of stress and if someone near us is acting out in difficult ways, before we lash out we can step back and look at everything objectively. There may be more to the story than we can see. Being supportive and kind, even in difficult situations, may go a long way toward healing a broken heart or painful experience. We’re all in this together, and by showing we care, and helping those around us, we can bring great light into the world.

Today, remember that things are not always as they seem. Be kind and supportive to those around you, and willing to help when needed. Your light can lift others and brings comfort and cheer to those in need. The whole world is blessed because you are here. There is greatness in you, and you bring goodness to us all.

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Labels and Names

10 Feb

There are billions of people on the earth. They all look different, have different customs, their lives are varied and there are endless interpretations of every aspect of life. We’re all unique and are entitled to our own opinions and ideas. We can do anything we like, and if we meet someone who is very different than we are, and don’t understand them, we may assign a label to them, or lump them into a group. We may call them any of a thousand different things we think describes them according to our own ideas and impressions. Labeling people generally does nothing good. Putting people in boxes restricts them and may change how we think of them and how they respond to us. Being called a name may be flattering or it can be uncomplimentary and degrading. We are all people sharing the planet. We don’t need everyone to think like us, or look like us or follow the same beliefs and standards we set for ourselves. By honoring other viewpoints and listening to different perceptions, we’ll be enriched and learn more about ourselves and those around us. Nobody only wears one color all the time, or eats the same foods every day. Differences are important and bring great depth and variety to our lives. By understanding those around us and sharing our lives with them, we will find great satisfaction and wisdom moving forward.

When we’re in a group, it’s a lot easier if everyone is on the same page. If we’re all focused on accomplishing the same goals and agree on how that should be done, things may go more smoothly than if everyone wants to do things their own way. Different ideas and ways of doing things can either bring complications or embellishment to group dynamics, depending on how we view them. If we’re open to hearing various ways of doing things, and trying another way forward, new ideas will form that may completely change our perspective.

Right is right and wrong is wrong – we can all agree on that. But one person’s idea of what is right may not agree with someone else’s. Being different doesn’t mean being wrong. If nobody is getting hurt, and it’s just a matter of interpretation, all ideas are worthwhile. If we’ve always done things a certain way it can be hard to adjust if someone comes along and turns everything upside down. By being flexible and willing to bend in a new direction, we will learn new ideas and find great success.

Today if you have labeled someone because of their personal characteristics, think again. Remember the great blessing and enrichment differences can bring. Listen to alternative viewpoints, and try to understand the situation from another perspective. You are very intelligent and wise. Be open to contrasting ideas and your life will be enriched. Everyone is valuable and there is great success ahead for us all.

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What’s Left

28 Jan

We all want to be successful in everything we do. We want to win and get to the prize, and many times that will be our experience. But nobody wins everything every time. We’ll all face moments when our fondest dream goes up in smoke and the goal we were seeking eludes us. If we are intensely invested in achieving the destination, we may suffer great disappointment if it slips from our fingers. We may feel devastated, ruined, and without hope. No matter how bad the situation is or how much we lose, there will always be something left we can use to start again. There will never be a time when absolutely everything is lost. Even if all our assets disappear, all our friends forsake us, and every road we desire is blocked, we will still be here. As long as we’re still breathing, we have enormous potential for success. There are unlimited ways ahead and endless destinations before us. If our initial plans fail, we can try again. If that doesn’t work, we can create another plan, and try again. We have endless chances for success, and already possess all the courage and wisdom we need to reach any goal. The only time failure is permanent is if we quit. If we keep going and moving forward, everything is possible. We are stronger and more powerful than we think we are, and nothing can hold us in place forever. By looking at all the options available, deciding what we want the most, and then taking the first step toward it, we will prevail. The whole world is there for us, and nothing is out of reach.

Life is unpredictable and we never know what will happen next. We can’t see beyond the moment we’re in and may be surprised by an unexpected development. If we’re determined to forge ahead, clinging to our original plan, we might be able to push through. If that isn’t possible, we can be flexible enough to adjust our trajectory and change direction until we find what works. There is never only one way to get to a goal. We are intelligent and can figure out any complication, overcome any problem, and achieve the goal.

If our plan doesn’t work out, those near us may suggest we give up. They may say it’s too difficult, and tell us to be content where we are. We can quit anything at any time, but if we quit when trouble arises, we’ll never have the lives we desire. If the goal is important, we can learn everything from what’s happened, and start again. Our lives are ours to design and we don’t need agreement from those around us to do anything we want. We can be confident and trust ourselves to make a new plan, and step forward sure of success.

Today if everything has gone wrong and your plans have failed, decide how you want to proceed. The past does not predict the future. You are smart and wise, and know what you want. Make a new plan and start again. Every destination is there for you, every goal is possible, and with determination and focus, you will make them yours.

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On the Clock

1 Sep

Everyone is different and each of us has our own, unique style for how we live and what we do. There are endless versions of humanity, and no two people are exactly alike. Although everyone understands this, we may face a time when someone tells us we should be doing things more like them. If we’ve suffered through a painful experience or disappointment, we may feel devastated and upset. How long it takes us to get over it and feel confident again is specific to the experience and our personal feelings. If it’s taking a while to regain our footing, someone may tell us to “Get over it!,” as though that will fix everything. They may have a timeframe they believe is sufficient for us to grieve and then expect us to jump back in, all fixed up and ready to go again. Although they may be on the clock in their own lives and set defined boundaries for personal experiences, our own choices and expressions may be very different. It is not our job to make everyone around us comfortable with our decisions. What we go through and how we manage is unique to each of us. If we need time, we can take it. If we need to step away, we can. We are the only ones who know everything we’re experiencing, and we never have to conform to anyone else’s ideas about how we should process anything. Some adjustments are difficult, and we don’t have to rush through them in order to comply with anyone else’s ideas. When we’re ready to start again, the road will be there for us. Every opportunity is possible, and we can trust ourselves to step forward, and claim them.

We may go through a difficult passage, when it seems no matter what we do, we fail. It may feel like the planets have aligned against us, and there is no hope. If we are overwhelmed and sure of defeat, we may think the only option is to give up. Just let go of our dreams, and fall down into an endless cycle of misery. No matter how it feels, there will never be a time when success will not be possible. Hard times will come, we may run into a big wall in front of us, and the road may get seriously hard, but nothing lasts forever. With patience and persistence, we will find our way through. All our dreams are waiting, and we can make them ours.

There is no timeframe for grief. It takes as long as it takes. We can’t rush it but we can work to understand it, and regain our footing. Holding onto pain and disappointment will never change what’s happened. We are strong enough to look at everything objectively, learn what we can, and begin to look ahead. Standing still gives us time to think, and plan for what we want to do next. When the clouds begin to clear, and we feel the sun again, we can move toward the destinations we most desire. We are more powerful and capable than we imagine, and nothing is out of reach.

Today if you’ve been suffering through a difficult situation and can’t see the end of the road, trust yourself. Take the time you need to heal and find peace, and when you’re ready, start again. You are amazing and bring great light to the world around you. Be confident, and believe in yourself. Every single success is there for you, and you will reach them all.

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