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Sidewalk Cracks

17 Apr

As we’re walking briskly along, we might see a tiny flower poking through a sidewalk crack. It’s amazing to imagine how anything could ever take root in the middle of a concrete path but there it is – a tiny, perfect flower – raising its head to the sunshine determined to survive. Sometimes our lives feel like that. We’re surrounded by others busily going about their duties and fulfilling their various roles and responsibilities, and we may feel we’re pushing up through an endless concrete road trying to survive. We may seem insignificant and overlooked compared to the seemingly obvious accomplishments of others, and it can be hard to feel important and valued. If others are louder than we are or garner more attention than we do we may fade into the background, unsure of ourselves. But we are here and we are important. We have so much to offer, and everything we do changes the world around us in some way. There is no way to know how much impact our decisions have over others and as we go through our days, choosing well, we bring light and goodness. We are worth more than we can imagine and our influence brightens every situation. Like that tiny flower pushing up through the sidewalk, our very presence can bring joy and delight. Nobody else can give the gifts we have to offer. The world is a huge place with billions of people, but there isn’t anyone else like us anywhere. Our influence is critical and we fill an important role. We can be confident that we’re essential and valuable, and nobody can ever take our place.

When we’re baking cookies, there are a lot of different ingredients we need to add to get the results we desire. If we leave even one item out of the mix, the cookies won’t come out the way we want them to. The recipe may call for a tiny amount of salt and we may think it’s so small we can just ignore it. But then when we taste the cookies, we discover that even though the amount of salt was small, omitting it has changed the entire flavor and the cookie isn’t as good. We don’t have to be the main focus to be important. Even if our voice is small, it’s valuable. Our influence makes everything better, and brings variety and richness to the world around us.

There are so many big, amazing things happening around the world all the time. There are great discoveries being made, great accomplishments being completed, and it’s easy to feel we don’t mean much to the overall scheme of things. But if we weren’t here, all the relationships we have with others and all the good influence we bring would disappear. The world would be left with a void where we offered our help and encouragement. Our influence is imperative to the success of everything around us. We are valuable and worthwhile, and bring positive energy and light to the whole world.

Today if you feel insignificant and irrelevant, remember there isn’t anyone else like you anywhere. You have gifts and blessings to offer nobody else can give. You are priceless, and bring a light to everything around you. Be confident. We need your presence, and the whole world is blessed because you are here.

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One Small Leaf

9 Apr

We all have dreams and desires to accomplish different goals in our lives. Some are easy and quick, taking little effort to achieve, and we complete them and move forward with confidence. Other goals are harder to master, and take a lot of concentration and time to move toward. When we’re pushing ahead, if the road is very long or we’ve had a lot of complications, it may seem we’ll never succeed. We may feel frustrated and overwhelmed at what lies before us and begin to give up hope. It’s like seeing a seemingly dead tree that stands forlorn and abandoned. At first, we see no sign of life, and may be convinced there is nothing to save. But then as we walk around it, we see one small, green leaf. Tiny and insignificant on its own, but heralding the life that still persists and acknowledging hope for the future. When we’re struggling, trying to move forward through confusion and obstacles, we may start to believe there is no hope for success. It may seem too hard, it may take far longer than we thought, and we may be tired of the battle. If we can’t see any end in sight we may begin to wonder if the goal is even possible. But if it’s something we want, we can determine to hold on and continue. Our motivation may be small – like that tiny leaf – but we can hold onto it and press forward, overcoming each obstacle until we reach the destination. Nothing worth achieving comes easily. No matter what’s in the way or how long it takes, we have everything we need to win. Every destination is possible. We can keep our eyes on the goal and press ahead until we reach success.

Our personal desires may be pushed out of sight as we take care of business, attend to our responsibilities and accomplish what we must. Before we know it, significant time may pass before we look up and think about the goals we want to achieve. We may think it’s too late and decide to let them go in an effort to be more efficient in our daily tasks. But it’s never to late to work toward our dreams. They will always wait for us and we can find a way to achieve them. Directing our lives toward what we want most will bring us great happiness and satisfaction. Every dream is possible and with planning and attention, we can achieve them.

We may believe some goals are too ambitious, and too difficult for us to accomplish. In fact, there isn’t anything we can’t achieve if we’re willing to do what it takes to make it ours. If we need more information, we can get it. If we need help, we can find it. Every goal is possible if we take it one step at a time and continue to move forward. We really can climb mountains, win the race, and find our way to the top. If we’re determined and keep pushing ahead, we will succeed.

Today, if there’s something you want to do but aren’t sure you can achieve it, be confident. Nothing can keep you from accomplishing anything. Decide to start today, and begin moving forward. You are incredibly capable and nothing can keep you from success. Be confident. Every dream is possible and you will make them yours.

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Flawless

18 Mar

The natural beauty of the world is all around us. It’s incredible in its scope and diversity, and we may stand amazed at the landscape before us. There’s so much variety and color, and so many lovely scenes it’s impossible to take it all in. We hear the song of a bird and it lifts our spirits. We see the waves crashing on the shore and feel renewed. Everything looks so beautiful and perfect, and we may be swept away. But there is no perfection in nature. Despite all its loveliness, each item is imperfect in some way. When we see the entire scene, everything fits so well together that we don’t notice anything amiss. But imperfections are there in everything before us. They make the scene more beautiful and richer than if it were immaculate and flawless. The imperfections create more definition and interest, and pull us in closer. It’s the same with us. Nobody is perfect and each behavior and personality trait define us individually. We may strive for perfection and do everything possible to be the best we can be. But our imperfections, our personal interpretations and foibles make us unique and desirable. The very things we may think take away from perfect beauty are often the characteristics most attractive to others. We can value and appreciate who we are, just as we are. Perfection in the worldly sense isn’t possible, but we can express it our own way. We can be sincere in our endeavors, and do our best with everything we have. There will always be something more we want to accomplish, or another trait we want to improve, but we are wonderful and desirable just as we are today. We are worthwhile, lovable, and important. We have so much to offer and are a great blessing to the world.

Perfection may be nice to think about but when everything is predictable and exact, there is less interest and desire. It’s boring to be able to predict exactly how things will go every single time. The unexpected complications and surprises may be annoying but they bring depth and clarity to our experience. We reach further and learn more when there are twists and turns. We can navigate any development and when we do, our understanding is increased and we gain a richer awareness of those around us.

They say love is blind and when we’re in the throes of infatuation, that’s often true. If we’re enthralled with someone new, we may only see all the great qualities they possess. As time passes, we begin to see them more clearly and every aspect of their personality becomes apparent. There is great satisfaction is learning about someone close to us and seeing them clearly, warts and all, brings great depth to the relationship. We accept them as they are and as we move forward together, find great satisfaction is sharing our lives openly and honestly.

Today if you feel you should be perfect, remember how amazing you are now. There isn’t anyone else in the entire world exactly like you. You bring specific gifts no one else can share. Be confident and remember you are important and valuable. The whole world is blessed because you’re here. You are incredible just as you are.

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Imperfection

1 Mar

There are many things to do in our lives and when we want to accomplish something, we try to do it well. We may strive to get everything right, every time. Perfection may be the goal, but we’re only human and it’s unlikely we’ll reach it very often. There are a lot of loud, outside influences that don’t always reflect reality. Pictures are photo-shopped to make them look more ideal and we’re bombarded with the idea that we should look like them and our lives should be exceptional and exemplary in every way. We may feel pressured to perform without error and look unblemished to fit into the world’s expectation. Perfection may be our goal but probably won’t be our reality. There isn’t now, nor has there ever been, one flawless individual. We will be successful in many arenas but if we expect to do everything absolutely perfectly each time, we may suffer great disappointment. It’s good to set high goals but if we aim beyond what is possible, we will fail. Allowing others to determine where we should be and how far we should go will not bring us happiness. Nobody knows us better than we know ourselves. We know what we want and can define our own personal success. We can decide our destination, and chart our own course going forward. We can be confident we have enough persistence and determination to reach our goals. Worldly ideas of perfection need not impact us. Our lives belong to us and we can choose our own path. Each decision we make takes us closer to where we want to be. Nothing is beyond our reach and we can have the lives we want the most.

The world’s definition of perfection isn’t absolute. Our interpretation of what it means is up to us. One person’s ideal may include a high-powered career, where another’s might be a simple job that allows them more time at home. We can define the perfect scenario for our lives, and then do what is needed to achieve it. We’re all individuals and there is no one best way to live. There are countless variables and interpretations and they’re all worthwhile and possible.

When we’re striving to do our best and things go wrong, when we make mistakes and falter, it’s easy to berate ourselves and criticize our actions. We are often harder on ourselves than we would ever be on anyone else. Mistakes will happen and there will be times when we’ll go the wrong way, but each misstep teaches us something we can carry forward. We learn as we go. Learning to accept errors and make the most of them will increase our confidence and open the way ahead. Life is filled with all kinds of experiences and we gain knowledge each day. We have everything we need to do anything and nothing can keep us from success.

Today if you feel you should be perfect at something, remember how capable you are. Each step you take teaches you something new. If something goes wrong, alter your course. You know what you want and nothing will keep you from it. You are amazing and can do anything you desire. Be confident. Every blessing is possible and you will reach it.

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Making an Impact

28 Feb

Nobody lives in a bubble exclusive to those around them. We’re all part of the world and everything we do has an effect on something around us. Newton’s Third Law of Motion states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Everything we do causes something else to happen. The response may be small and we may not notice anything different but it’s impossible to live our lives without creating some sort of change. Each decision causes a ripple effect that may create a new situation somewhere else. What kind of effect we have depends on the decisions we make, and our behavior influences everything around us. If we have a happy demeanor and positive outlook, we may bring light to others. Conversely, if we’re rude or grumpy, angry or curt, we may bring something else entirely, and if we’re vengeful or manipulative, may sow seeds of discontent and distrust. Every choice will produce some sort of response. We aren’t responsible for the feelings and choices of others, but we are responsible for the way our behavior and decisions impact their lives. We are part of the whole and whether we acknowledge that or not is irrelevant. Each step leaves an imprint and it’s up to us to decide what that will do. We can be mindful of every decision and think about all the possible ramifications before we act. We have everything we need to live happily and successfully. We have so much to offer, and with patience and careful consideration, can bring light and joy to those around us.

Nobody lives in nirvana and sometimes disappointing things happen that hurt us and change how we feel about the world. When things go wrong and we’ve been hurt, we may decide we’ve had enough and determine to seclude ourselves from others. We have a lot to offer but it will be impossible to share our gifts if we lock our lives away because of pain or disappointment. We can manage anything that comes and find our way back to happiness. We are capable, strong and wise, and nothing can keep us from the lives we desire.

Happiness comes from our actions but some people think they can find it by hurting others out of spite or maliciously causing problems for those around them. Their motivations will never justify the hardship they create and, in the end, they may find themselves angry and alone. The law of the harvest is inescapable. If we sow seeds of discontent, we will never reap joy. Everything we do takes us somewhere. We can make excellent choices that take us where we want to go and bring us great happiness.

Today, think about your decisions before you act. Make sure they will bring you the results you desire. You’re in control of your life and can do anything you choose. Make choices that will take you to the destinations you want the most and bring happiness into your life. You are a blessing to us all and have so many gifts to offer. Share them with us and make the world a better place.

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