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Counterfeiting

23 Mar

In this day of information overload, virtually everywhere we go we are bombarded with advertisements with pretty pictures telling us how we should live our lives, what we should do and how we should look. They are filled with scenes of happy people loving life, the suggestion being if we do what they say, we’ll be happy too. However, all those pictures are just actors playing a role. Doing what others think is best might bring us happiness, or it might not. We can play any role we like, pretend we’re something we aren’t, and dress up any situation to appear different than it really is. Counterfeit money looks real from a distance. By simply making Xerox copies of bills, we could fool anyone if they were far enough away. But upon closer inspection it will be obvious that the paper isn’t right, the ink is all wrong and it’s completely fake. If we haven’t yet achieved the level of success in our jobs we desire, or made all the money we think we deserve, or if we’re not as informed as we want others to believe, we may use counterfeit measures to convince them. We can dress up, act out, and manipulate others until we’re sure we’ve convinced them of whatever it is we want them to believe. We might fool them for a while, but just like getting a closer look at counterfeit bills, eventually our true selves will emerge and the truth will rise. It’s impossible to keep up false appearances forever. Instead of pretending, we can work to gain the attributes we desire. By living openly and honestly, we will gain the trust of those around us and make good, strong connections. Nobody is perfect and we all have things we want to change. We can show our true selves and be confident in who we are, and where we stand. Every success is possible, and with determination and focus, nothing can keep us from the goal.

Sometimes it can seem others have it easier than we do. They seem to get what they want and don’t struggle. We may think they have no idea how hard life can be, but we may be way off base. There is no way to know the personal dealings of anyone’s life unless they share the details with us. There may be hidden sorrow and disappointments we cannot see from the outside. Nobody gets a perfect life filled with rainbows and butterflies. We all face challenges and trials, and roads filled with rocks and detours. By keeping our eyes focused on our own journey and not comparing ourselves to others, we will ensure our success and reach every destination.

Many people prefer everyone to be on the same page, doing the same things, and agreeing as a group. Peer pressure is real and we may be asked to conform to something we don’t want. We can do anything we like, but we all have specific gifts to offer that nobody else can give. We can choose what works best for us and take our own path, no matter what others are doing. We have so much to offer, and by being true to who we really are, we can bring great light and blessing to the world.

Today if you’ve been pretending or following someone else’s path, remember you are important and have your own gifts to give. Be yourself and choose the road that takes you to the goals you desire most. There is greatness in you and you can set an amazing example for us all. Be strong and confident, and step forward focused on your own journey. Success is waiting and nothing can keep you from it.

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No Way Back

31 Jan

We have endless experiences as we go through our lives and since there are many people around us, chances are they will be included. Our connections with others are many and varied. We may only wave to them in passing, they may be coworkers with whom we have a professional relationship, close friends, lovers or something else. When we get along and our interactions are positive, we may value our time with them and try to keep the connection strong. But we’re all different and there will be times when we disagree. We may face intense arguments that cause hurt feelings and damage the relationship. If someone offends us and we feel they are unbearable, we may choose to sever our ties with them, burn that bridge down and build an impermeable wall in front of them. There is nothing we want from them and there is no way back. We can do anything we like, but nobody can see the future or what will happen next. Life has a way of looping around and if something happens that brings them back into our sphere, and we need them for something, if we’ve completely cut them off, it may be hard to re-establish our connection. People often have great memories, and burning everything down will take a lot of effort and time to resurrect. Some people are impossible and we may want nothing to do with them – that is our prerogative. But we don’t have to completely sever all our ties to them. We can walk away and steer our lives in another direction. The old saying, “Live and let live,” will apply. They can do what they want, and we don’t have to be a part of it, but we can keep the link intact, however distant, just in case something changes and we have to interact with them in the future. We can be honest in all our dealings, and do not need to pretend to like them, but we can be polite and tolerant. Every decision we make takes us somewhere. By being pro-active and making the best choices possible, we will achieve great satisfaction and success.

Some people are rude and hateful, and don’t care about anyone but themselves. It’s hard to work with someone like that, and if we must, it may test our patience and endurance. If we have a professional relationship we can’t change, we can find a way to do what is needed to work with them and then move on. If they are family, we can define how much time we can spend with them and still be comfortable and work within those boundaries. We are always in control of everything we do and we can manage our time with difficult people in ways that help us move forward with the least amount of distress.

Love relationships are complicated. If we go through a painful breakup, and it wasn’t our idea, we may be angry and devastated. If there was cheating or some other offense involved, we might want them to suffer and try to think of ways to get back at them. Breakups are hard, but we are valuable and our time is precious. Our decisions define who we are. Instead of revenge, we can walk away from any painful situation with grace and dignity, and move forward toward what will bring us happiness and peace.

Today if there’s a relationship you want to get away from, do what is needed to feel comfortable but don’t burn everything down. You are intelligent and wise, and know how to make excellent decisions. Every destination you are seeking is there for you, and every success is possible. Be confident and step closer to your goals. All things are possible, and you will prevail.

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Hardly Noticeable

13 Jan

Everyone has an idea of where they want their lives to go and what they want to do. We decide what we want the most and then make a plan and begin to do what is needed to make it ours. It sounds simple, and on paper it is, but this is real life and rarely goes exactly the way we planned. There are endless influences all around us. Advertisers constantly bombard us with their ideas of what we should do and who we should be. Others in our circle may give us advice and guidance, even if we don’t ask for it, and our families are always there to share their views on what we’re doing or not doing. Although we know what we want, sometimes other voices may make us question our decisions, and pull us away from the road ahead. We may step to the left just to keep the peace and think we’ll get back on track as soon as things settle down. After all, one step to the left is hardly noticeable in the big scheme of things and we can trust ourselves to regain our momentum in time. But nobody can predict the future and sometimes one step to the left leads to another, and then another and before we realize it, we may be far away from what we really want and going in the opposite direction. Going from point A to point B is rarely a straight, uninterrupted line, but we have a better shot at success if we keep our eyes focused on the road ahead and don’t get distracted trying to please someone else. Every destination we desire is possible, and we have everything we need to make it ours. By focusing on the goal and continuing forward, nothing can keep us from success.

What we do determines the person we will become. If we want to be honest but there’s a better chance of getting what we want if we fudge the truth a little, or shift our ethics, we may be tempted to take the bait. If we do, we may get away with it, and nobody may know, but we will know we are compromised and that may color our decisions moving forward. It’s much easier to cheat the second time, and each time after that. We decide who we will be. By choosing wisely and following the standards we most desire, we’ll find great satisfaction and peace.

It’s not always easy to be completely honest and when the road ahead gets hard the temptation to bend our ethics to get through may be great. We can lie our way out of a mess, cheat others to get ahead, and manipulate and twist the truth until it fits our desires. But everything we do determines who we are. We are capable of great success and when we strive for perfection and choose the best possible options, honoring the nobility we possess, we will achieve greatness and complete happiness.

Today if you’re tempted to step a little off course in an effort to get to a goal, remember who you are. There is greatness in you. Think about what you want the most, and make the best choice to achieve it. You have the potential to bring great light to the world. Choose wisely, and be honest. Every success is there for you, and you will make them yours.

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Failure Required

15 Dec

Everyone has goals they want to achieve and we all want success.  We can decide what we want, and then do what we must to make it ours. The options are limitless and what we do is completely up to us.  It’s good to strive for what we want, and aim for success in all our dealings. We can only control our own lives, and have no power over any one else’s decisions. If we’re in competition with someone else over something we both want, we may decide we’ll do anything to win. We may feel we need to not only prevail, but crush whoever is on the other side. It won’t be enough just to win – we need the other guy to fail, and fail miserably. Finding joy in someone else’s demise may bring us momentary satisfaction, but it will do nothing to enrich or enhance our lives moving forward. Making others suffer will never bring us lasting happiness. Crushing our opponent and ensuring they never challenge us again only eliminates one player.  There will always be a bigger fish, and we’re fools if we believe we’ll always win.  We can do anything we like, but we are accountable for every decision.  There is no free space in life where what we do doesn’t count. Everything counts.  We can push ourselves to achieve, and win many different confrontations, but if we destroy others to get there, the victory will be hollow.  There is no need to crush anyone to prove we are worth the prize. We can do our best and push forward, and allow others the same privilege. We have the potential to conquer great adversity, and overcome enormous challenges. By stepping forward with confidence, sure of success, and keeping our eyes on our own road, we will achieve every goal we desire.  Nothing is beyond our reach, and there is great success ahead.

Sometimes competitions become personal. We not only try to out do the other competitors, but in the heat of the moment, may fall prey to criticism and ridicule in an effort to exert our dominance. Making others feel small may make us seem big, but the decisions we make, even in competition, decide what kind of people we are.  We can understand that competition should be fair and open, and make good choices that move us ahead without degrading others. There is greatness in us all, and by honoring the talents of those around us and striving to be the best we can be, we will prevail and reach every goal.  

In every contest, there is a winner and a loser.  Sometimes people are concerned that the losers will feel bad, and decide to eliminate the winner and give everyone a participation trophy.  That’s fine but unfortunately real life doesn’t work that way.  All the roads ahead aren’t paved, and if we lose, nobody is going to give us a prize.   Learning how to deal with losing gives us the skills we need to face disappointment and loss.  We are strong and capable, and can certainly cope with missing the mark from time to time. By choosing to stay in the game, and continue trying, success will be ours and we will prevail.

Today if you’re determined to win and will do anything to crush your opposition, remember the person you most want to be.  You have so much to offer and great gifts to give.  Show us your light, and do your best.  Everyone is embellished and uplifted because you are here.  Be confident and sure.  Every success is already there for you and you will prevail.

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Dismissed

13 Dec

Everyone is unique, and there are endless ideas, expressions, interpretations, and beliefs.  We can design our lives any way we like, but we have no control over what others choose or what they do. It’s good to be polite and accepting of different viewpoints and decisions, and there is great richness to be gained by including those who are different than we are.  There is unlimited variety in all things, and we don’t all have to travel the same roads to reach success.  Although many of us understand and accept differences, some people are very sure their way is the only right way and will not tolerate anything else. They may demean others who choose a different path, criticize lifestyles and decisions, and lord over those who are too timid to stand up to their demands.  Being confident is one thing – being dictatorial and oppressive is something else.  Dismissing others who have a different viewpoint, calling them names, or isolating them will never bring anything positive.  Nobody alive has all the answers.  The smartest people on earth don’t know everything. We can do anything we like, go anywhere we want, and adopt any philosophy or belief we desire.  Every decision involving our lives is up to us, but that’s where it ends.  We have no authority to design anyone else’s life.  Everyone has the right to choose their own journey, regardless of what others think.  Being different does not mean being less.  We can be confident and sure of everything we choose, and allow others the same freedom.  By walking side by side, instead of forcing everyone to follow us, we will learn more about ourselves and the world around us.  There is greatness in us all.  By sharing our very best with those around us, we will embellish everyone.

Some people talk a lot about diversity and inclusion.  They expound on how important it is to accept others, but when someone has a different viewpoint from theirs, their ideas of acceptance sometimes fall away, and criticism and ridicule take their place. There is no way to be inclusive of others and then target those who don’t conform and exclude them from the conversation.  We don’t all have to agree to have value.  We’re valuable just as we are.  We can accept differences, even when we don’t like them.  By extending the hand of friendship, despite disagreements, we will make many great connections and build strong relationships.

Politics can be a contentious issue.  Some feel very strongly about their specific point of view and although they may say they are for including others, if someone is on the opposite side of the political aisle, they may dismiss them or worse.  Differences are a part of normal life, and we’re all entitled to our own opinions, no matter what others think.  By understanding we all have worth, and every idea is valuable, we can be cooperative and supportive despite disagreement.  We have so much to offer and being kind and welcoming will help us bring great light to the world. 

Today if you’re dismissing someone because their ideas don’t make sense to you, stop and think again.  Different viewpoints bring great depth and richness to our experience.  Step forward and listen to every viewpoint.  Everyone has a unique gift to offer.  Honor differences even when you don’t like them, and be open to everyone. You are such a great blessing to the world.  Give us your best, and we’ll all succeed. 

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