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Hard Times

15 Mar

“It’s supposed to be hard! If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great!”  Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own

We all want our lives to be easy and uncomplicated but hard times come to us all and when they do we may find ourselves in very difficult and complex situations.  If we want to move through them and put them behind us we must face them head on, deal with the circumstances before us, and do what it needed to find a resolution.  Only then can we step forward and leave the problem in the past.  If the issue we’re facing is far reaching and very difficult we may feel overwhelmed at the enormity of the problem.  We can handle anything that comes to us and we can solve any problem.  The harder the challenge is, the more we’ll learn.  As we flex our power and test our abilities we will become stronger and the strength we gain will make us great.  The old saying of “no pain no gain” is true when it comes to the trials of life.  We have everything we need to face any challenge before us.  And as we overcome each issue we gain tools and positive attributes to carry forward.  Every experience teaches us something of value.  Remembering all the good we’re gaining as we struggle will give us added confidence and courage.  There isn’t anything we can’t do.  We are stronger and more capable than we realize and we can face hard times and walk right through them.

Nobody is born perfectly brave and wise.  We must gain courage and wisdom as we live our lives.  Every decision we make brings us information and teaches us something new.  Every challenge we overcome gives us additional power and courage to go forward.  If everything came easily we would never have the opportunity to grow.  We cannot be successful adults if we have only the courage and strength of a child.  It’s important to grow and learn into adulthood and trouble is the best teacher.  Hard times mold us and give us experience that help us become successful and ultimately bring happiness.

Some people keep themselves apart from others and new experiences in an effort to shield themselves from problems.  We can try to keep a low profile and that may prevent some conflict from coming our way but problems will happen simply because we are here.  Instead of trying to hide from them it’s far wiser to face them and learn all we can from solving them.  The wisdom of age comes from the experiences of living a full life – trouble and all.  We have all the courage we need to face anything that comes to us and we’ll gain the strength we need going forward as we learn to solve hard times and difficult problems.  We are smart enough and wise enough to face anything and do it well.

Today if you’re facing a difficult issue and you aren’t sure you will manage, trust in your strength and ability.  There isn’t anything you can’t do and nothing you can’t face.  You are more capable then you know and you will prevail.  Be courageous.  You will win.

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Common Ground

14 Mar

There are a lot of different kinds of people in the world. Many different belief systems, thousands of distinct traditions and rules, and countless variations of expression. We’re all unique and show our uniqueness in limitless ways. Despite our differences, we all share common wants and needs such as the need for care and love, physical safety, and a desire for connection to those around us. We may struggle trying to understand someone who is different than we are and have trouble relating to their views and behaviors, but no matter how many ways we differ we all have some things we share. As human beings inhabiting the same planet at the same time, there will be things we can relate to no matter how different we are. It requires respect for each other to look beyond our differences and find basic understanding. We may not agree on politics or religion, or what needs to happen or where we need to go, but we can agree to respect one another and honor our personal choices. We’re all important and each of us contributes to the world we live in. Nobody doesn’t count. We are capable of understanding things that are different than we are and we can learn from those differences to embellish and enhance our experiences going forward.

Conflict is sometimes the result of differing opinions. When we feel strongly about something it can be hard to understand and accept another point of view. We may not comprehend the opposing opinion but each is valuable even when they are far from what we believe. We can respectfully honor different ideas and see new perspectives by opening our minds to unique possibilities. Differences open our imagination and may help us understand life more effectively. We are capable of learning and understanding many things. We are all important and valuable and each of us enriches life in our own specific and unique way.

There isn’t only one way to do or see anything. There isn’t only one answer to any problem or situation. Variation and diversity are a part of natural life. Look at the trees on the earth. There are an estimated 100,000 varieties of trees in the world and each is unique and perfect for where it is and what it does. Although each is different they are all trees. We all have something exclusive to offer that no one else can give but no matter how different we are there will always be something we share. There is common ground we can relate to that will help us honor our differences. We are all valuable and worthwhile. We all have something to say and each opinion matters.

Today if you’ve been holding tightly to one point of view, allow others to share their perspectives with you. We all share common ground. Find it and embrace differences as you learn from those around you. The world is filled with diversity and every expression brings something unique. Everyone is important and you will grow as you understand many viewpoints and ideas. You are capable of greatness. Embracing differences and finding common ground will help you achieve it

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Spin Spin

13 Mar

When our car gets stuck in the mud and the wheels have sunk deep into the mire it can be hard to get it out again.  No matter how many times we gun the engine and try to gain traction we may go nowhere.  The car does its part by engaging the engine and turning the wheels but without anything to grab onto the energy is wasted.  The only way out is to provide traction for the wheels so the spinning can stop and movement forward can begin.  Our lives can be like that sometimes.  We may want to go somewhere but can’t seem to move ahead.  We may get stuck, spinning our wheels in the same place without anything to propel us forward.  Often when that happens we aren’t generally just standing still.  We may be expending a lot of energy and working very hard but what we’re doing isn’t working.  If we don’t change our methods we may end up exhausted, frustrated and confused about what’s wrong.  We can adopt any plan we choose and see how it goes.  But it’s important to pay attention and if we aren’t moving forward we can modify our plans to find success.  Working harder doesn’t always fix the problem.  If we’re in the mud, spinning our wheels faster won’t do anything to push us ahead.  If what we’re doing isn’t working we can modify our way forward and find success.  We have everything we need to accomplish anything we choose.  We can turn when the road stops and find another way forward and we can be successful.

Some people think there is only way to do things.  They may have defined rules about what they should and should not do and what is appropriate for them.  But there is no one right way to do anything.  If we want to do something that requires us to reach beyond what we know or what is comfortable we can stretch and learn new patterns.  We are smart enough and brave enough to step onto unknown territory in order to get to a goal we want to achieve.  There are always many ways to find success no matter what we’re seeking.  Being open to new ideas will help us find what we’re looking for and take us to the destination we desire.

It may be uncomfortable to change our personal patterns and reach beyond the familiar.  Even if we know we’re stuck we may find it difficult to consider new ideas we haven’t tried.  Keeping an open mind and focusing on the big picture instead of the minor changes we need to make will help us adjust our plans and push us forward to where we want to go.  We all get stuck in the mud sometimes.  We can find the traction we need to move forward if we evaluate the situation objectively and openly.  There isn’t anything we can’t do and nothing we can’t overcome.  We can make all our dreams come true and there is nothing powerful enough to stop us.

Today if you feel like you’re spinning your wheels and going nowhere, stop and look at the situation openly.  See what you can change and modify your plans.  There is no situation too complex for you to figure out.  You can go anywhere and do anything you choose.  Do what is needed to move forward.  Success is there for you and you’ll reach it.

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Waiting to Change

10 Mar

We all have things we do well.  We know what is easy for us and where we excel.  Sometimes there are things we need to change in order to move forward or to achieve something we really want.  If that includes something we don’t like or something we don’t know how to do we may hesitate.  Our behaviors and skills will never change on their own no matter how long we wait or how hard we wish.  If we want or need to change something in our lives we must actively engage in doing what is needed to bring it about.  That may mean venturing into areas we don’t know, or trying to do something that makes us uneasy.  We can change anything we want if we do what is needed, but nothing will change simply by waiting for it.  Our lives are ours to design any way we choose.  If we want to try something new or reach for something higher we may have to step into foreign territory.  But foreign things become familiar after we do them for a time and we can master any new behaviors we choose.  We can reach for the stars, go for our biggest dreams and become anything we decide we want to be.  We are capable of adapting and modifying ourselves at any time.  Change is always possible and we can make it happen if we are determined and continue toward it step by step.  There really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish if we want it badly enough.  We can step onto any path and find success.

It’s easy to sit and dream about what we want to do.  We can talk about it for years on end and hope our dreams will magically come true.  Thinking and talking will only take us so far and if we really want what we’ve been dreaming about we must take action.  Every accomplishment requires effort.  When we’re ready, we can look carefully at what we want to do and then make a plan to achieve it.  We may have to learn some new skills, we may have to step way out of our comfort zone, and it may take time to accomplish the goal, but if we really want it we can achieve it.  It’s great to have dreams but making them come true is what brings happiness.

Every road has a destination.  We know the roads we customarily travel and we know where they’ll take us.  If we stay on the same roads year after year we will only experience what they have to offer.  When we want something different we have to step away from the familiar and choose another path.  There is no way to reach a new destination by taking the same journey over and over again.  There is no limit to the things we can do or learn but change requires us to step away from the road we’re on to find it.  We have everything we need to find a new way forward.  We know what we want to do and where we want to go and we can make the choices needed to find success.

Today if you’ve decided you want to reach a goal and change your direction, take the first step on a new road.  You have everything you need to make any dream a reality.  Decide what you most want to do and then begin forward toward success.  There is nothing that will stop you and you will reach the goal.

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Whispers

9 Mar

Finding direction in our lives is sometimes easy and we feel confident we’re going exactly where we want to go and are on the right road to get there. Other times as we move along we may experience some doubt. Even if everything seems to be exactly the way it should be we may hear a little whisper in the back of our minds that something needs to change. There may be a niggling suspicion that things aren’t exactly as they seem. If we’re busy and involved, we may ignore it and if the problem is small it may not matter. But often when we have a feeling that things aren’t right, there is something we need to look at. When we get quiet whispers that come again and again it’s wise to pay attention to them. We can’t know everything but we are highly perceptive. We may be subconsciously aware of something that doesn’t fit and the doubts that creep in may be a sign we need to look more carefully. If we’re doing something we really want to do, we may forge ahead no matter what comes to mind. But if there is a quiet, small voice of caution that whispers again and again, it’s wise to listen. We can stop and really look at the situation objectively and we may see something differently and choose to change our course. Sometimes things are exactly as they seem, but other times we may misunderstand what’s really happening. Listening to our inner voices, and heeding whispers of caution will help us more carefully and effectively navigate our way forward. We can be wise and careful and still accomplish everything we want to do.

We know what we want to do and we know how we want to do it. We are in control of our lives and we can decide how we manage it and what we will do. But we aren’t the only people who have influence over what happens to us. We cannot predict the decisions or actions of others and sometimes their plans will be in direct conflict with ours. If we don’t know what’s coming, we can’t possibly prepare. We can be confident and still exercise caution. We can move ahead with our eyes not only focused on the goal but those around us as well.

The world would be easier to navigate if everyone was honest and clearly stated what they were going to do and followed through on every promise. But that is not how things are. Everyone makes choices and some people will lie to us, some will promise things they have no intention of doing, and some will mislead us to achieve their personal goals. If we are careful and watchful we will have a better chance of succeeding no matter what others do. If we listen to any warnings or doubts and address them carefully we will be more aware and able to proceed more effectively. We can do anything and we can be wise. Listening to the whispers that may come will help us succeed.

Today if you have a feeling that things aren’t exactly as you think they are, step back and evaluate the entire situation openly and honestly. If there are problems, address them and correct your course going forward. You have everything you need to be successful. Listen carefully and pay attention and you’ll find the right way forward.

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