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Sudden Remorse

21 Jan

We make dozens of decisions each day and millions of decisions as we go through our lives. We are human and it’s impossible to make every single choice well. Everyone makes a bad decision at some point, and when we realize we’ve completely missed the mark, we may feel great disappointment. If we’ve deeply injured someone else, we may feel sudden remorse. When everything is visible after the fact, we may wonder how we could have said what hurt them so badly, or how we could have thought we were on the right road. Looking back, it’s easy to see all the facts and where we went wrong, but what’s done is done and cannot be erased. When we make a big mistake and the effects of our decision are far reaching and painful, we may feel horrible and wonder how to proceed. It may seem impossible to continue on, but a bad decision isn’t the end of our journey. Even if what we’ve done is destructive and terrible, there will be things we can do to amend what has happened. If we are truly sorry for what we’ve done, we can start by apologizing to those affected and ask for forgiveness. Depending on what’s happened, forgiveness may come right away, or it may take time. Hurting someone deeply erodes their trust in us, and it may take considerable time to re-establish it again. Nobody is perfect. We all fall down from time to time. By understanding what we’ve done and choosing ways to heal what’s been broken, we can regain the trust of those we’ve injured, and continue forward together. There is greatness is all of us. If we forget our nobility for a moment, we can regain it and start again. We can do what is needed to move forward with clarity and integrity. Nothing can keep us from achieving anything we desire, and we will succeed.

When someone does something that pierces us deeply and hurts intensely, our relationship with them will suffer. Nobody wants to be around those who purposely make them feel bad or wound them emotionally. We never have to stay anywhere we don’t want to be. It doesn’t matter who the offending person is, what their status in our life has been, or how much influence they have over us. We are worth more than we imagine, and the whole world is embellished and blessed because we are here. If we don’t want to continue any relationship in our lives, we can step away.

Big mistakes in judgement may bring not only emotional pain but also physical danger. If we follow someone else’s example and it turns out badly, we cannot blame them for what happens. Not realizing what would result is no excuse for our actions. We are responsible for taking care of ourselves, and solely accountable for everything we do. We have what we need to make excellent, strong decisions, and with patience and focus, we can do what is right, and reach success.

Today if you’ve made a big mistake and feel intense remorse, do what is needed to repair the situation and re-gain the trust of those around you. There is greatness in you. Every goal is possible, and nothing is out of reach. Be the best you can be, and step forward with confidence. We’re all blessed because you are here. Show us your light, and every success will follow.

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The Price

17 Oct

We make many decisions as we go through our lives and each choice defines who we are and what we stand for. We try to make good decisions and most of the time we’re successful. Of course, nobody is perfect and we’re going to falter from time to time. However, taking a wrong turn accidentally is different from making a bad decision because we hope to gain something by trickery or deceit. One area that causes some issues is when money is involved. Financial gain is a big motivator and if we aren’t careful, it may motivate us into doing something questionable at best, and unethical or illegal at worst. They say everyone has a price and it’s determined by the choices we make. For instance, if we get home from the store and discover the clerk accidentally dropped a roll of quarters into our bag, and we don’t return it – the price of our honesty and ethics is worth about ten dollars. That’s not much money to trade away our nobility and virtue. We can justify the decision not to return the money by saying the store makes plenty and doesn’t need it, it’s a long way to drive and will cost us time and gas to return it, or we can see it as an unintended gift. No reason we come up with for not returning what doesn’t belong to us is valid. We are in control of our lives and can live them any way we want. If we want to be honest in our all dealings, we must make choices that reflect that decision. Our ethical standards will define us in many ways. Others will see the decisions we make and base their ability to trust us on what we choose. We are valiant and important, and can make excellent decisions that show others who we are. The whole world is blessed because we are here, and we can ensure our influence is beneficial by choosing well.

People aren’t what they say they are, they really are what they do. Some will say they are honest, but then do things that reflect a different expression altogether. Maybe they cheat on their time sheet at work, saying everyone does it. Or they manipulate situations to make them appear more successful and further along than they are. There are unlimited ways to shape things to make them appear different than they really are. True honesty is a virtuous and impressive trait that brings goodness and value to every situation. We can choose wisely, and make excellent decisions.

We must decide what kind of people we want to be. We can determine there is no price high enough for us to trade our honesty and valor. When we live with integrity, people will trust us and doors will open that might otherwise remain out of reach. Every choice we make takes us somewhere. We can choose the paths that take where we most want to go, and reflect the highest standards possible. Being honest in everything we do embellishes our lives, and brings us satisfaction and true happiness.

Today if you’re tempted to do something beneath your values in order to gain something you want, remember, every decision you make defines who you are. You are amazing and important. Show us your wisdom and integrity by choosing well. We’re all blessed because you are here. Choose wisely and step forward with confidence. Every success is there for you and choosing well will ensure you reach it.

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Taking Our Turn

20 Oct

In every group situation, in order to get things accomplished, there must be some sort of order, and leadership. If there was no plan and no leader, chances are nothing would get done. Leading requires responsibility and thought, and when opportunities to lead come up, if we want to, we can keep a low profile and not get involved. We can keep our heads down and study our shoes, but we can learn a lot more if we step up and take a turn in leadership. When geese migrate south for the winter, their “V” formation always has one bird at the very front leading the way. The primary responsibility of that position is to reduce air drag for the flock so they can fly as far as possible before needing to rest. The leader flies in the first position until they are tired, at which time they fall back into formation with the other birds. Immediately, another bird flies up to take the lead. This exchange happens many times throughout the flight, each one taking a turn at the front. Like geese, when we take on a leadership role, our responsibility is to reduce the stress of the project by showing the way for success. If we take our turn at the front, and do our part, we will enable goals to be accomplished, and we’ll learn a lot in the process.

When leading others, the first step is to understand the objective. Where is the group going? What are we trying to accomplish? Once we know that, we can make plans for successfully completing the task. We don’t have to do all the work ourselves, but may involve everyone on the team by delegating tasks to them. If everyone completes one small part of the project, no matter how great the job is, it will be accomplished. Being a leader doesn’t mean being the boss, and we can’t force anyone to do anything. But we can encourage them, and show the way. If we trust others to get things done, they will respond more positively than if we try to manage them. There is a saying that you can’t push a string. And you can’t. If you try, it will just bend and go nowhere. But you can pull a string and it will go wherever you take it. If we pull others along with the goal in mind, they will follow our lead.

Setting the example for leadership, whether the task is great or small, will help others learn to become leaders as well. If we lead with kindness, support, and patience, when we’re on the other side of the team as a participant, chances are we’ll get the same treatment in return from those in charge. If we are respectful and fair, we can be excellent leaders no matter what our current skills are. When we’re taking our turn at the front, and we need to reduce drag and show the way, if we include everyone in the plan and treat them well, we’ll accomplish the task, and be the example we want to be. We have everything we need to be great leaders. We just have to step up and take our turn.

Today if you have the opportunity to be a leader, take it. You can step up and be the one to show the way. Be kind and patient, and trust others with what needs to be done. They will respond positively and before you know it, the job will be accomplished. You have greatness in you, and the potential to be a great leader. Pull from that knowledge, and show the world what you can do. Take your turn, step up to the front, and be the best you can be. The experience will teach you more than you can imagine.

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