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Underneath

6 Apr

Every situation in our lives is different. We know who we are, but we may alter how we appear to the world when circumstances change. If we’re in a formal setting that is important and critical to something we’re trying to accomplish, our actions may be more guarded and restrained than if we’re at a ball game with friends. We may change our outward appearance depending on the circumstances around us as a way of fitting in or making things go more smoothly. It’s normal to adjust ourselves to fit the situation we’re in but adjusting what we’re doing or wearing doesn’t mean we must change who we are. We can be flexible and still be authentic. Some people aren’t as confident as others, and when situations change, they not only change their outward look, but their personalities as well, and may agree with things they don’t believe in. They may believe that going along with what others are doing will help move them forward, and it might for a time. But there is no way to fake it forever. Eventually who we really are will surface, and if we’ve been playing make believe, we may find ourselves in situations we don’t want that don’t fit. The world will do what it will do. People make choices and may encourage us to follow them, but our lives are ours to design, and we can be true to who we really are underneath all the trappings of work, success, expectations, or plans. We can trust ourselves to live honestly and without pretense or façade. There isn’t anyone else like us in all of creation, and we bring specific and unique gifts to those around us. By believing in our personal value, and confidently stepping forward, our individual gifts will light the world around us. We are a blessing to the world just as we are.

Lobsters are delicious to eat, but they look like giant bugs and can be quite off-putting at first glance. Their outside appearance isn’t appealing but underneath their hard-shell exterior is something delicious and delectable. While we aren’t lobsters, the same can be true regarding people. Someone may appear very differently on the outside than they truly are underneath. By being patient and open, we can be accepting, and see more than what’s on the surface.

It takes courage to reveal our innermost desires and thoughts to others. Our dreams and aspirations are deeply personal, and we may want to keep them to ourselves and protect them. We can be as private as we like, but great relationships are possible when we share our deepest feelings with someone else. By opening ourselves to those we care about, we can build strong bonds of trust that will enhance us. There is always a lot going on beneath the surface and sharing it with others will bring depth and richness to our lives.

Today if you’ve been doing things to fit in, remember how unique you are. You are a gift to the world and have gifts to offer nobody else possesses. There is greatness in you. Be confident. You are amazing and valuable. Trust yourself and show us who you are. Your light illuminates us all, and the whole world is blessed because you are here.

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Not Losing

10 Mar

We all have goals we want to accomplish and dreams we want to make ours. We can do anything we like and with determination can reach any destination we desire. Anything worth achieving is worth working for, but it won’t all come easily. If we really want to succeed, we must be willing to face whatever complications get in the way and figure out how to overcome them. If we are very focused and clear on what we want, when problems or issues arise, we will do what is needed to fix them and stay on track. Continuing forward despite difficult challenges takes patience and determination to succeed. If the road has been long and hard, and we’re tired of the struggle, we may decide we don’t really need to win anymore. Just not losing will be enough. There is a lot of difference between thinking about winning and thinking about not losing. If all we want to do is survive, basically get a “C” in the class, we can take shortcuts and ignore details that are hard to figure out. We can all manage to get through anything but simply getting through and achieving excellence are entirely different scenarios. Our time is valuable and once it’s gone can never be recovered. Wasting it on trying to achieve mediocrity will not enhance us or bring great satisfaction. Just doing the minimum to get to the next step will bring little gratification. There is greatness inside us all, and we have the potential to accomplish amazing things. But potential is unrealized expectations. Just because we’re capable of doing something incredible, doesn’t mean the road to achieving it will be easy, clear, and paved. If we want to become the best we can be, and make our dreams reality, we must be willing to stay the course no matter what comes. Instead of merely wanting not to lose, we must want to win. With focus, clarity, and conviction, we can find great success. We can do anything and go anywhere. The whole world is there for us, and every dream is possible.

Before we step forward in any direction, we must first decide what we want. It’s very hard to push forward toward a destination we don’t really care about. If we aren’t invested in achieving the goal, the first obstacle may knock us down. We know who we are, what we want, and where we want to go. We can decide how we want to proceed, and then do what is needed to reach any goal and make it ours.

It’s easy to coast through life. We can sit back and just let things roll out as they will, and maybe we’ll go somewhere we want, or maybe not. Sitting in the back seat and just riding along is fine if all we want is to take in the scenery. But there are dreams and destinations waiting for us, and by taking control and driving our own train, we can achieve them all. Our lives are ours to design, and with clarity and focus, we can have the lives we desire most.

Today think about what you really want. Once you decide, make a plan, and take the first step forward. You are amazing and powerful and can accomplish anything you desire. Everything is possible, and you already have everything you need to succeed. Be confident. Every dream is possible, and you will win.

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Jekyll Factor

9 Mar

People are complex and we all have many facets to our personalities. Some of us are introverts, remaining calm and quiet most of the time. Others are more outgoing and like to actively interact with those around them. People are unique and unpredictable and there is no way to know what they will do. If things are going well, they may be easy going and friendly, but if events turn and they are agitated, they may suddenly become angry and aggressive. We may be taken by surprise by our own response or those around us. This may be aggravated when outside influences impact our personal control. If we are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we may seem the same or everything may change. Like changing from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde, we might manifest behaviors that are the exact opposite of who we are in otherwise normal conditions. Whether from outside influences or the situation we’re in, if that happens, it may affect our lives in ways that impact our relationships and impede our progress. If we act out in ways that are hurtful or destructive, it may be hard to repair the damage once we return to normal. It’s hard to trust people who are volatile and erratic. We don’t know which personality we’ll be dealing with, and that may create a chasm between us and those around us. We are in control of our lives and are free to choose anything we like, but we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices. If we continue to do things that break the trust of those around us and damage our relationships, we may find ourselves all alone, somewhere we never wanted to go. We are smart enough to make good, wise choices and can pave the road ahead to the destinations we most desire. With clarity and determination, we can find great success and build the lives we want the most. Nothing is out of reach, and we have everything we need to prevail.

Our relationships are important to us, and we all want strong, healthy connections to those we love and care about. But building good relationships takes effort and attention. If we routinely trade them off for a quick thrill or step away to do things that put barriers between us, we will never achieve the goal. Nothing is more rewarding or brings more happiness than the bonds we build with those we love. By making our relationships a priority, we will gain great peace and satisfaction, and our lives will be enriched.

The pull of the world can be great. It’s easy to be lured away from what we want most for what we want at the moment. Immediate gratification is a constant temptation, and we may give in to it instead of doing what is needed for long term happiness. We deserve complete happiness and with patience and wisdom, can make decisions that will enable us to reach it. Every blessing is there for us, and every dream is possible. We can trust ourselves to find the answers we need to reach every goal.

Today if you’re thinking about stepping away for an immediate thrill, consider your personal goals. You are a blessing to the world and your light lifts us all. Decide what you want the most, and step forward to claim it. Everything is possible. You are amazing and powerful, and nothing is out of reach. Success is waiting.

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Backhanded

13 Jan

We interact with a lot of people as we go through our lives. We build relationships, work along side them, and make connections through our shared experiences. Many people are sincere and open in their comments and conversations and we appreciate spending time with them. But there are others who don’t always say exactly what they mean, and instead use innuendo and make backhanded comments that leave us unsure as to what they mean or how they feel. If they are flippant or sarcastic, we might wonder if we’ve done something wrong, or if they don’t trust us for some reason. If we don’t speak clearly and state what we want, there will inevitably be confusion, and the road ahead will get cloudy. If we’re concerned about how our comments will make us look or feel superior to those around us, we may use double talk and insinuation instead of stating the facts. That way we can skirt around the issue if things get dicey. It’s disconcerting to be involved in a situation with someone who doesn’t speak openly and honestly, and instead talks around the issue instead of confronting it head on. We don’t know where we stand and may have no idea how to proceed. Everyone knows exactly how they feel in every situation, and we all have enough courage to say what we mean to clarify what’s happening. By being completely clear in our feelings and objectives, we can pave the way to our goals and find resolution to any problem. We are intelligent and have all the wisdom and courage we need to stand firm in our position and express ourselves confidently and openly. Every single destination is possible, and with focus and determination we will reach them all.

No two people are exactly alike. We all have our own preferences and ideas about how things should be done. When we’re working with others, we may differ and have diametrically opposed views about how to proceed. We can stand firm in our opinion and look for compromise, or we can cave and let others take over. What we do is up to us, but letting others drive the train will never take us where we want to go. Our desires are important and valuable. We can say what we want and move forward toward the goal.

When there is disagreement, if we don’t feel confident enough to stand up to opposition, but really want our viewpoint to prevail, we may choose to use coercion and manipulation to advance our cause. We can do anything we like, but the seeds we plant will determine what comes next. Being dishonest and manipulative may work in the beginning, but we may pay more in the end than we bargained for. By being completely clear, and saying exactly what we mean, the doors ahead will open, and we’ll reach success.

Today if you’re in a situation where you feel unsure you can prevail, be confident and state your views clearly. You are valuable and worthwhile. Tell us what you think and be courageous. You are amazing and your input is important. Step up and every door will open. All your dreams are there for you, and nothing can keep you from making them yours.

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Cheater

5 Jan

We make millions of decisions as we go through our lives. Each choice, bad or good, will clearly define who we are and what we want. Lots of people say they are honest, and many people are. But the idea of real honesty may differ from person to person. For some, it’s clearly defined – do what is right according to our standards and the culture around us, and never waiver. Others see it more fluidly. If they mostly do what’s right and only bend the rules and cheat when they absolutely feel they must in order to win, they are honest enough. Maybe they’ll pay their bills on time but add an hour or two to their timesheets to make ends meet. Or they’re honest in the small things like making sure they don’t accept too much change at the store but will do whatever is needed to make sure they get that promotion at work – even if it means breaking the rules. Desperation may make us so determined to win, we may choose to cheat, lie or whatever else we think will get us there. Cheating does work. It will give us an edge and push us over those around us, but winning by cheating isn’t winning at all, and the advantage is counterfeit and fake. It will look like a win to those around us, but we’ll know we took it dishonestly. The stain of hypocrisy will be permanent, and like a bad tattoo, impossible to remove. Cheating is a characteristic of weakness, and the cost to our integrity will be intense. Once we step over that line and lie to get ahead, it’s hard to step back. We will never be the same and the possibility of doing it again will be easier. If we continue, the road of deceit will be etched in our minds and we may forget what it was like to be completely honest and true. Every decision we make tells the world who we are. Nothing is more important than our self-worth and by choosing wisely, we will pave the road ahead to success.

When we want something intensely, we may decide on shady and dishonest options to help us open the doors ahead. Some things may be very important to us, but there will never be anything so important it’s worth the cost of sacrificing our integrity. Others may be fooled the first time we cheat, but once we are exposed and the truth is clear, we may lose their trust indefinitely. Like breaking glass, we may try to glue the pieces back together, but it will never be whole again.

When we tell people about ourselves, we may say anything we like. If we want to impress them, we may embellish what we’ve done and who we are. But in the end, we are what we do, not what we say. Our actions define us in every sense. The world decides who we are by the choices we make not the beautiful words we use. Every choice determines our standards and what we value. When we choose honestly and valiantly, we bring great success and satisfaction to our lives.

Today if you’re desperate to get to a goal and are considering lying or cheating to reach it, think about your personal worth. You are valuable and worth more than you imagine. Show us how valiant and honest you are by the excellent decisions you make. You have the power to bring greatness and light to us all. Be the best you can be, and the whole world will be blessed.

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