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Our Gift

14 Sep

“The past is your lesson.  The present is your gift.  The future is your motivation.”  Unknown

While we’re navigating our lives and doing everything we need to accomplish we often think about our futures.  Where are we going?  What do we want to do?  How will get there?  There are questions to explore, ideas to formulate, and plans to make.  If we’re highly ambitious we may spend a lot of time planning for what lies ahead.  There is nothing wrong with making plans for the future and everyone has dreams they hope to accomplish.  But the real gift in our lives is our present.  What’s happening right now is the most important thing in our lives.  The past is behind us and we can take all the lessons we’ve learned from our previous experiences forward with us but we can’t go back.  The future lies ahead and although we may try to plan for it, nobody really knows what it will bring.  Today is the most important day of our lives.  What we’re doing right now is the only thing we have any control over.  What we’re doing, how we’re living, and what we’re learning today is the gift that helps us move forward.  We may forget how important today is if we’re heavily invested in plans for tomorrow, or grieving over something that has passed.  But today, right now, is the most precious gift we have.  If we pay attention and apply ourselves to this moment we will gain as much as possible from our experience.  Without today there would be no tomorrow.  We can honor our lives today and grab hold of everything it has to offer.

When we’re busy and have a lot to get done our time flies by.  The hours seem like minutes and before we know it the day is gone.  If we’ve rushed through it we may have missed some of the blessings available to us as we hurry to the next item on the list.  We may not even see those who pass us or hear others say hello.  Having a singular focus is helpful when there is a lot to get done.  But if we look up and pay attention as our lives rush by we will have a richer experience and deepen our connections to those around us.  It doesn’t take long to acknowledge someone and say hello, or offer a smile as we walk by.  If we take our eyes off ourselves for a moment and interact with others our days will be augmented and enhanced.  This day will be gone quickly and there is nothing we can do to get it back.  Seeing it as a gift and opening ourselves up to receiving all its blessings will bring us happiness and contentment.

They say when we’re dying we don’t regret the things we did, but the things we didn’t do.  If we knew today was our last day on earth, how would we change things?  Who would we see, and what would we do?  This may not be our last day here but if we lived our lives as though it were, how different would it look?  Would we take more time for those we love?  Would we pay more attention to those around us?  Would we offer more care and compassion?  We can change anything about how we’re living our lives at any time.  We can make each day a priority.  This life is precious.  Living each day to the fullest will bring us the most satisfaction.

Today if you’ve been rushing around to get things done, remember what a gift today is.  It’s just for you.  This is the best day of your life because it’s the only day you have.  Live everything to the fullest today.  This is your most precious gift.

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Motivation

12 Sep

There are limitless things we can accomplish in our lives.  We can do anything we really want to do and there isn’t anything keeping us from fulfilling our dreams.  Our lives belong to us and we can design them any way we like.  If we are sufficiently motivated we can move forward and achieve anything.  Motivation is a powerful force.  It can help us overcome obstacles in our way, and keep us on the road when we get tired of the journey.  But motivation is just the first step in any change.  On its own it can’t do anything.  Being motivated doesn’t make change happen.  It only gives us the impetus we need to begin and motivation alone will change nothing.  It’s the spark that can start the fire but fire requires work, planning and fuel to continue.  All the motivation in the world will mean nothing if we don’t actually do the things we need to accomplish the goal.  Lots of people talk about being successful, opening businesses, writing books, and all the rest and they may be very motivated to succeed.  But without action, motivation will get us nowhere.  It’s just the first step.  We have to put work behind it to get where we want to go.

We may hear others tell us we only need to believe and we can accomplish anything.  Although having faith we can succeed is important and necessary in every endeavor, it isn’t enough.  We can believe we can climb Mount Everest all day long, and truly be convinced we can do it, but without doing all the training required to accomplish it we will get nowhere.  Faith can move mountains but only if we do everything in our power to make it happen.  There really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish if we are motivated enough to do whatever is required to make it reality.  The catch is to be willing to do whatever is required.  Faith and motivation are just the beginning and can open the door to all our dreams.  If we want to walk through those doors we have to put action into the plan.

There is a whole industry of motivational training.  There are endless seminars, countless books, many professional trainers and a sea of courses we can take to get motivated.  If we are seeking change in our lives they may help us begin the journey to make the change a reality.  But before we do anything we must decide what we really want.  If we aren’t sure we want to make the change, or it looks too daunting, all the motivation in the world won’t help us achieve it.  Once we decide what we really want we must begin doing what is needed to make it happen.  There isn’t anything we can’t accomplish if we are motivated enough to do what is required to make it a reality.  The world belongs to us and we can make our lives any way we want them.  We can be motivated, and then be diligent in using that motivation to accomplish everything needed to succeed.

Today if you’re motivated to make a change, use that energy to plan your way forward.  Decide how to make your dreams reality and begin the journey.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  You know what you want.  Plan ahead and work hard and everything you dream can be yours.

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Getting the Cheese

8 Sep

There is a saying that the second mouse always gets the cheese. The idea being the first mouse goes to the trap and is destroyed allowing the second mouse to swoop in and grab the spoils once the danger has passed. Although we fortunately don’t have to deal with mousetraps in our lives there may be times when we let someone else go in front of us if there is a complicated or unsettling matter that needs attention. Sometimes it’s because we aren’t sure about the situation and letting someone else go first gives us more information. And sometimes we may be concerned there is trouble ahead and we’d rather let the first guy face it. Letting someone else pave the way can seem like a good idea when we’re unsure or intimidated by a situation. But that doesn’t always work out for us in the end. Yes, we might get the “cheese” if there are problems ahead, but we may lose important opportunities by stepping aside and letting someone else get there ahead of us. There really isn’t any situation or complication we can’t manage. We are brave enough to step up and go first even when things are difficult. We have leadership skills we can call on and all the courage we need. We can choose to be the one to mark the path and forge the way ahead.

Personal confidence is something we can always work on. Being confident in our abilities gives us an edge and helps us achieve and find answers even under difficult circumstances. There will be times of uncertainty and sometimes fear of what lies ahead. We can’t read the future and there is no way to know for certain if we will prevail. But if we study the situation out carefully before we move forward, and confidently proceed, no matter what happens we will find our way. Sometimes things will go well and other times there may be problems. But if we face the situation calmly and confidently we will find whatever answers are needed to move forward.

Getting the cheese isn’t always the most important part of the scenario. We can learn a lot about problems and how to solve them as we face complicated situations. The growth we gain from facing adversity and hardship teaches us how to understand the world and live successfully. Nobody wants to lose at anything but we never lose in any situation if we gain knowledge and understanding – even if we don’t prevail. If we do win and get the cheese it’s an added bonus. If we miss out this time we can take all the information we’ve gained going forward and use it to make our mark the next time around. There really isn’t any problem so complex or difficult we can’t figure out. We have all the tools we need to succeed. Taking advantage of everything we learn in the process helps us every time.

Today if you’re worried about a situation and aren’t sure about it take the time you need to see it objectively. Think about what you want to gain and move forward with confidence. You have all the tools you need to succeed. Everything you want is within reach. You are brave enough and smart enough to do anything. Step up and take charge.

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Just Passing Through

6 Sep

Life is a journey and each day we move a little further down the road. We’re always moving forward to something else and we meet people, make friends, build relationships, and experience countless things. Wherever we go and whatever we do there are things to learn and see. It’s a continual journey. Nothing stays the same forever and no matter where we are we will move forward to something new. We can plan and prepare for the kind of lives we want and we can succeed. But even after achieving goals we desire, we will continue on the journey. There is no end to the road here on earth until our lives end. We may be settled in, live in the same place, work the same job and associate with the same people for years on end, but our personal journeys continue. We are always learning and growing. Although we may be directed in one way or another, where we’re headed is often up to us. We can look ahead and determine exactly where we want to be and guide our path in that direction. Our lives belong to us and we are in control of them. We can achieve anything we desire. We can go anywhere we choose. There isn’t anything we can’t do and despite what comes we can decide where our journey will take us.

Disappointment and sorrow are a part of life. Nobody gets a life filled with rainbows and sunshine every single day. Things will go wrong. We will be hurt. We may suffer grief and despair, loneliness and sadness, and we may feel overwhelmed. But no matter where we are, we are only passing through. We won’t remain in any situation forever. Life cannot be stopped. It always continues forward and as it does, our situations will change. If we are sad, the sadness will lift. If we are despairing, the answers will come. If we are heartbroken, we will heal. Time continues on and brings with it the soothing balm of relief. We sometimes can’t believe we’ll ever get through when we’re struggling with very difficult situations, but we will find a way. Each day that passes will bring comfort and peace and no matter how bad a situation is, it will change. Our happiness will return and the light will shine again.

Sometimes we may decide we want to change course. We may want to find a new road to travel. If we’re headed to a destination we no longer desire, we can turn another way. We can change anything at any time. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been going along or if others think we should keep traveling forward. We can step off and start another path whenever we choose. It’s all up to us. We can go anywhere we want to go and do anything we want to do. Our lives belong to us. We can pass through places that don’t fit and continue on. We can choose our personal destination at any time. We can have the lives we really want, do the things we most want to do, and be the people we strive to be. We can do anything.

Today if you’ve been passing through and you’re not where you really want to be, adjust your course. You can do anything. You know who you are and what you want. You can make all your dreams come true. Turn your direction to the destination you desire. Everything you’re hoping for is waiting for you and you will have it.

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The Whole Story

29 Aug

There may be times in our lives when we get wrapped up in a situation so tightly and are so close to an issue we can’t see it clearly.  We may have suspicions things aren’t exactly as they seem but if we’re too close, even if we have doubts, we may neglect to see the whole story.  Personal desire can be very powerful and if we want a situation to be real we can ignore important cues and refuse to look at things objectively.  If others want us to believe something that isn’t true and manipulate us to keep us from seeing the truth, it can be hard to sort things out.  Misdirection, mixed messages, and dishonesty can make us believe something that isn’t real.  If we are courageous and refuse to ignore promptings that things aren’t as they seem, we can find our way.  But if we’re caught up and very much want things to be real we may look away.  As long as we refuse to see the whole story we may live in the land of fiction, and we will stay there until we’re ready to see what is true.  We deserve truth in our lives.  We can face anything openly and see it as it really is.  When we’re ready to see the truth, we can manage whatever we find.

Some people have powerful personal agendas that drive them to do anything to achieve them.  They don’t care if they are dishonest, they don’t care who gets hurt, and they don’t care what they have to do to get to their goal.  If we become entangled with them they may do things that make us believe things that aren’t true.  If they don’t care about anything but themselves they may deceive us and we may be hurt.  If we value them and believe we have a close relationship with them, we may be hurt badly.  But we don’t have to believe anything without proving it first.  We can listen objectively and evaluate what is real.  We are smart enough and wise enough to discern truth and if we set personal feelings aside and see the situation objectively we will find it.  Truth is the only thing that is constant.  It may be ignored for a time but it will always surface.  Seeking it and listening to it will help us find our way through any situation.

There is nothing wrong with desiring to achieve goals.  It’s good to be ambitious and self-directed.  But if all we see is the goal and are willing to pay any price to achieve it we may become selfish and merciless manipulating others to move us forward.  We are better than that and are accountable for everything we do.  We can achieve anything we want and we can choose to do it nobly.  It is far better to move forward with honesty and bring others along with us through motivation and kindness.  We can do anything and we can do it with honor.  If we do what is best and achieve our goals honorably we will become the people we most want to be.  And our example will inspire those around us and make a positive impact on the world.

Today if you feel something isn’t right in a situation you’re living, step back and look at it objectively.  You will find the answers and see the best way forward.  If you are trying to accomplish a goal and are highly motivated to make it a reality, bring others along by treating them with respect and being honest.  You can do anything.  You are strong and wise.  Show that strength and wisdom in all you do, and be the best you can be.

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