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Throwing Paint

17 Sep

We can do anything we want with our lives.  We can make good choices or just do things because we can, hoping it’ll all work out.  If we don’t think about the decisions we’re making, sometimes things will work out but other times the choices we’ve made may complicate the way forward and cause problems.  Success will not simply be handed to us and it takes effort to live well.  We’re in complete control of our lives and what we do is our responsibility.  We can lie about what we’re doing but if we lie about the actions of others, we impact the world in negative and hateful ways that may bring extreme pain and despair.  Lying about someone, saying they did something they didn’t or in other ways impact them dishonestly, may taint them until the truth comes out.  It’s like throwing paint around.  Wherever it lands it leaves a mark.  But paint is temporary and can be removed.  When the truth comes out, as it inevitably will, things will change and the mark left by our dishonesty may be removed as well.  Truth is powerful and nothing we do or say can hold it back forever.  It will always rise and if we’ve been dishonest, in time our actions will be uncovered and open for all to see.  We are a reflection of everything we do.  If we want the best lives possible we must choose well.  Every success is there for us if we do what is needed to achieve it.  We can have the lives we dream about if we carefully and honestly move forward.

There are times in everyone’s life when things go wrong.  If we’re in a situation where we’re desperate for things to change we may consider saying or doing something underhanded.  Desperation may make us think about options we wouldn’t normally contemplate.  If we lie or manipulate others to get out of the situation, it may work but the dishonesty will follow us.  We’re accountable for everything we do and at some point, possibly the worst possible moment, the deception will be exposed and we will answer for it one way or another.  It’s hard to manage difficulty and nobody wants to struggle.  When trouble comes if we get through it with virtue and nobility, once it’s over we can move on and there will be no unpleasant reminders of what we’ve done and nothing to clean up afterward.

It isn’t always easy to take the high road and hold fast to our ethical and moral standards.  There are unlimited excuses for the decisions we make.  We’re always free to choose but we are never free to choose the consequences of those decisions.  Everything we do impacts our lives in one way or another.  By choosing well despite the inconvenience or effort, we have a better chance of getting the results we desire.  Choosing to be the best we can be in every situation will bring us satisfaction and happiness and pave the way forward to the lives we want the most.

Today if you’re in a situation that seems unbearable and you’re considering a lie to get out of it, think again.  Your integrity is valuable and precious.  You can handle anything and nothing is too powerful for you to navigate.  Stand firm in your honesty and hold tight to your values.  Great success lies ahead.  You will reach it by being true to the very best you have to offer.

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Truth and Freedom

11 Sep

We go through many experiences as we navigate the ins and outs of life. Some things go well, other times we struggle, it may be easy to find the answers or we may get lost. There are limitless complications that may arise, unforeseen developments that suddenly alter the situation and we are constantly adapting and adjusting to the changes around us. We never know what will happen next and as we step forward on whatever path we’ve chosen we try to make the best choices to bring us the outcomes we desire. If we get tangled up in situations where there is dishonesty it may cloud our vision for a time but truth always rises and becomes clear. Once we know what is real and can see things as they truly are we are free to make our next decision. Truth will always untie the bonds created by dishonesty and open the way forward. When we know what is real and see everything openly we can plan effectively and reach whatever destinations we’ve chosen. Dishonesty and lies may open the way in the beginning but in the end always bind us up and hold us back. They muddy the waters, bring confusion and contradiction, and keep us from moving forward. We can choose to be clear and truthful about everything in our lives and enjoy the freedom that honesty brings. Truth is truth and nothing we do or say can change it. Facing things as they are and accepting what is real will empower us and help us reach our goals. Nothing will pave the way more effectively and people will trust us and honor us when we are truthful and honest in all our dealings.

Honesty is an absolute. It will never work to be somewhat or mostly honest in our dealings. We’re either truthful or we aren’t. Every situation we face will be impacted by the way we handle it. We have all the wisdom and insight we need to make the best decisions going forward and all the courage we need to be completely honest as we go. Embracing what is real gives us power and helps us understand anything before us. Nothing will ever be as effective as choosing to be clear and honest in everything we do.

There may be times when we are tempted – just this once – to lie in an effort to move forward. Maybe we believe it will help us open a door we’ve been struggling with or enable us to influence someone we want on our side. We can do anything we like and every decision is ours to make but lying one time makes it easier to lie again. Once we open that box it may be hard to close it again and each deception will take us further from who we really want to be. We’re smart enough to figure out any situation and manage it honestly. There is never a need to sacrifice our integrity to get to a goal. All options are possible and staying true to our best standards will help us achieve them.

Today if you’re tempted to lie to get through a complicated situation, remember truth is the only way to freedom. The confidence you gain by being honest is a priceless asset. There is nobility and greatness in you. Magnify them and choose wisely. You can do anything and reach any goal you desire. Be the best you can be and all the doors will open for you.

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Doubling Down

22 Aug

Everyone makes their own decisions about what they want to do.  We choose the paths we want to follow and each moment of each day decide how to proceed. We have complete power over how we live our lives and each decision we make defines who we are and what we stand for.  Sometimes we may make choices that aren’t in our best interest but because of circumstance or personal desire we make them anyway.  If they are in direct contradiction with what we say we stand for there will be a disconnect.  We don’t need anyone’s permission to do anything but if we say one thing and do another there will likely be conflict.  There is no way to justify condemning something someone else does and then say it’s different if we decide to do the same thing.  A change in players doesn’t change the act.  We may believe that because we are smarter or older, or somehow wiser, we can get away with doing something we disapprove of in others, but it’s impossible to be honest and authentic by playing both sides of the story.   We can make any excuse we want, double down on our reasons, and try to explain the hypocrisy away but that will never change the facts.  We can say anything we want but who we really are is reflected not in what we say, but in what we do.  If we want to be completely honest in all our dealings we must reconcile any issues where there is contradiction between our words and our actions.  We can’t expect anyone to trust us if we aren’t true to who we say we are.  The choices we make create the lives we have.  We can live in ways that bring us trust from those around us and be confident in choosing wisely in ways that take us where we really want to go.

There is an old story of a man who asked his neighbor if he could borrow his axe.  The neighbor said no, and the man asked him why not.  The neighbor told him he couldn’t lend the axe because he was making soup.  Confused, the man asked what making soup had to do with borrowing an axe and the neighbor replied, “Nothing, but if I don’t want to lend you my axe, one excuse is as good as another.”  When we make choices that are contradictory we can give any excuse we like.  In the end, the only thing others will remember is what we did – not the reason or excuse we gave for doing it.  Honesty always brings confidence, and that confidence will bring us happiness.

If we’ve made a mistake in judgement and done something that damages our credibility, we can turn around and correct the way forward.  Owning our decisions and doing what is needed to repair what we’ve damaged will pave the road ahead and help us mend any broken connections.  We have unlimited opportunities before us and with wisdom and patience we will find the right road.

Today if you’ve made a decision that contradicts who you really are, turn around and start again.  You can change anything necessary to correct your way forward.  Be careful and wise, and be who you really are.  You have so much to offer and we need your influence.   Be confident and show us your best.  Every success is there for you and you will find it.

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Out of the Light

20 Aug

We determine what is right for us and where our ethical and moral boundaries lie.  When we’re true to the standards that define us we can be authentic in our expressions and genuine in our responses.  There will be opportunities every day to compromise ourselves and step away from the boundaries we’ve set.  If we decide to venture into areas outside the borders we’ve defined as what’s best for us, the foundations we’ve built will be left behind and we’ll step onto a road that will take us somewhere we’ve never been.  We may think we’re only stepping out of the light for a moment, and then we’ll return, but life continually moves forward and it’s possible that although we only intend to set our standards aside for a moment, what we do may make it difficult to return to them.  If we point our compass away from the values we’ve previously set, it may be hard to turn it back and start again.  We can always change our lives and no roads are closed indefinitely but the patterns we choose and connections we make can be powerful.  One step away from who we are takes us closer to becoming someone else.  Letting go of our personal values and standards will never make us into the people we most want to become.  One thing always leads to another and every choice will bring a result.  We can carefully look ahead and make choices that take us where we want to go and help us to live our best.

Dishonesty will never bring us lasting happiness.  One lie often leads to another, and then another, and before we know it we may find we’ve forgotten what’s real.  It’s possible to create a life of mirages and illusion that has no basis in fact or reality.  We can tell people anything we like, pretend to be someone we aren’t, and manipulate the truth any way that paves the way forward.  If we are proficient we may fool others for a long time but eventually the truth will rise and we’ll be left with nothing but our lies for companions.

If we want something badly, we may be tempted to step out of line for a moment and cheat – just this once – in order to get it.  We may justify the action by thinking we’ll only do this one time but if we’re successful and don’t get caught it’s possible we’ll try it again.  If we continue over and over it’ll become our new norm and we may lose our sense of what is right altogether.  Our lives are ours to design.  We can be dishonest, unethical, manipulative, and as slippery as we want.  Or we can hold fast to the values we cherish and no matter what, choose the right.  The lives we have will be reflected in each choice we make.  We are strong enough, wise enough, and brave enough to choose wisely and live with excellence.

Today if you’ve stepped away from your personal standards, decide what kind of person you want to be.  You can find authenticity and perfection by choosing to be honest in all your dealings.  The roads to your dreams are straight and true.  Hold fast to the values you cherish and choose the right at every turn.  Your light will shine brightly and every door will open for you.

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Turmoil

24 Jul

Most people are nice and try to work with others and many of us try to get along with those around us and be an asset in whatever we’re working on. We want to be agreeable and flexible and do what is needed to accomplish the goals we’ve set while still including others and being kind. But not everyone we come in contact with will be pleasant and some people are rude and frankly mean. They may manipulate others, lie and cheat, and display bad behavior that causes tension and trouble. If they are aggressive and vicious, dealing with them may make it hard to get through even simple tasks. If we must interact with them we will have to find a way to manage their behavior and still accomplish the task at hand. There will always be a way to move forward despite the problems we face, but it will be up to us to find it. Disagreeable people can make our lives a misery if we allow them to control the situation and affect our attitudes. We don’t have to become negative even if those around us are complaining and unhappy. We all make our own decisions and we can stay true to who we are and what we want most even if we’re being pressured by someone who doesn’t have our best interests in mind. We’re all responsible for our own happiness. Bad behavior in others has no control over the choices we make. We can always choose the best road going forward and find our way to any destination we desire.

Some people live dishonestly and fill their lives with drama and intrigue. They make decisions that complicate their path, manipulate the truth to suit their personal desires and make it difficult for others to work with them. When we interact with them we may get caught up in turmoil and stress. It’s confusing to figure out which way to go when there is disharmony and struggle. But we don’t have to internalize the problems before us and with patience can find our way through. By remembering who we are and keeping our focus we can clear the distractions and find the road ahead.

We may want to be helpful and if we find ourselves entangled in a situation where there is conflict and struggle we may get caught up in someone else’s problem. If we are pressed to find the answers we can be respectful and offer our advice and then let it go. We can allow those who own the issue to find their own resolutions. Life gives us all plenty of our own problems to work on and we can let others manage their decisions their own way. It’s appropriate and kind to offer help if asked and then let those involved find the answers they need.

Today if you must interact with someone who is disagreeable and mean, show patience and support and be the best you can be. Be helpful and kind but let them make their own decisions and continue forward on the road toward your goals. You have so much to offer and we are all blessed because you’re here. Keep your eyes ahead and set the example for success. You are amazing and wise, and can lead the way forward.

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