Missing the Mark

24 Apr

We have all kinds of experiences in our lives. We learn new things as we go along and are often successful in accomplishing our goals. When we get things done well, we feel confident and capable, but sometimes we miss the mark. We never know what will happen next and may get tangled up in an unexpected development that snags our progress and pushes us completely off track. Our judgement may be impaired because we didn’t get all the information, or maybe we had to guess and the road we chose didn’t work out. Lots of things can go wrong and even if we’ve tried to plan effectively, we may stumble or fall down. Life is filled with all kinds of unknowns, and we may struggle or even fail when we’re trying to move ahead. Failure doesn’t mean we’re not capable of succeeding, or that we’re not smart enough to figure out what to do. It just means our first choice didn’t take us where we wanted to go. There are many roads to every destination and if one doesn’t work out, we don’t have to stop and give up. We can look around at the options available and try again. Each step will teach us something new and give us more information to use going forward. Every destination is possible but they won’t all come easily. We may have to try several different roads before we find the one that works. Success is always possible as long as we keep moving ahead. The only sure guarantee of permanent failure is if we stop trying. We can do amazing things and go anywhere we want. We have enough courage and determination to find our way, and can decipher any complication that arises. Nothing is out of reach and we will find success.

It’s so easy to travel on nice, even, paved roads. They are smooth and easy to navigate, and we feel comfortable as we move along. It would be great if every journey was clear and effortless, but life doesn’t work that way. There are countless problems and snags that may arise and we may have to traverse a difficult and rocky path. When the road gets hard and the way ahead is challenging and demanding, we may rethink the goal we’re trying to reach. We can always change our minds and let go of something instead of pushing forward, but if the goal is important to us, we have everything we need to continue ahead. Nothing is powerful enough to hold us in place and we can achieve anything we desire.

When what we want requires a lot of effort, we must decide if we’re willing to do what it will take to get it. Anything worth having is worth working for. The road forward may be long and we make get turned around a time or two. Our destination may be far in the distance but nothing is beyond our reach. If we stumble, we can stand again. If we take a wrong turn, we can change direction. Every dream is possible and if we keep our focus on the way ahead, we will succeed.

Today if you’ve gotten tangled up and lost, and your plans aren’t working, stop and evaluate all the options before you. You are smart enough to achieve anything you desire. Choose your next steps forward and continue moving ahead. You are amazing and capable. Every destination is possible and you will succeed.

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Transformation

22 Apr

There are times in our lives when we may want to make a change. Maybe we want to stop a habit, be more open minded or patient, or change the way we behave in certain situations. We can do anything we like but even if we’re devoted to the new idea, chances are it won’t happen the minute we decide. Patterns and habits take time to modify. When we’re used to doing something a certain way, we may repeat the behavior without even thinking. It may come naturally because it’s been our common expression in the past. Change is always possible but the longer we’ve repeated a pattern, the more time and effort it may take to change it. If we’re committed, we can manage whatever is necessary to make it happen. We can design our lives any way we want and are never stuck with anything we don’t want. There are endless things we can do and unlimited ways we can express ourselves. If we don’t want to continue something, we can choose a new way forward. We can change anything, but we must be diligent and patient as we navigate through the steps necessary to make it happen. Although our desire may be real, we must learn new behaviors and patterns to replace the ones we’ve been carrying. Everything is possible and if we’re determined we can do anything. We can have the lives we want the most and be the people we want to be. If we take one step at a time and are attentive and conscientious, we will reach success.

It would be great if we could make desired changes happen instantaneously. Unfortunately, whatever we want to modify will take time and effort. We may start the first day filled with determination and positive energy that we’re headed exactly in the direction we want to go. But then something may go wrong, unexpected complications may derail us and by the end of the day we may doubt we can actually accomplish the change we desire. We can learn new ways to cope with problems that arise, and resolve to stay on the road no matter what happens. We have all the wisdom and intelligence we need to get the lives we want, and can accomplish anything we desire.

Before we change anything, we must first decide what we want to do. It sounds easy to choose what we want, but can sometimes be quite difficult. Once we decide, we can then make a plan that helps us move closer to the goal every day. Some days will go well, and sometimes we may have setbacks. If we get sidetracked or distracted, we can find our way back to the road we want to be on, and continue forward. Every dream is possible and we can do anything by staying focused and taking another step ahead. Nothing is too difficult for us to achieve, and we can accomplish anything we desire.

Today if there’s something you want to change in your life, make a plan and begin. You can do anything. Every option is possible and nothing is out of reach. Take the first step and stay focused on the goal. You can have the life you dream about. You have everything you need already, and you will succeed.

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Under Water

19 Apr

Every day we experience something new. We can manage our own lives but most of what comes to us is beyond our control. Other people constantly make decisions we know nothing about, circumstances change, and sometimes the road that was clear and open yesterday is completely blocked and cloudy today. Lots of things can change all at once and we may find ourselves suddenly and completely overwhelmed. Like being under water we can see what’s around us and manage things for a time, but if we want to survive, we must find a way to surface. It’s unlikely any problem we face will have the threat of actual death, but it may seem we’re being destroyed if all our plans have suddenly collapsed and we’re left standing in the wreckage. We may feel like we’re drowning and can’t breathe. Terrible things may happen, disasters may come, and in the beginning, we may have no idea how to get through, but we are stronger than we think we are and already possess everything we need to succeed. We can trust that no matter what comes we’ll find our way. We can take time to regroup, see the options before us and then step forward toward the future. Life is filled with uncertainty and we can’t predict what will come, but everything we need will always be there for us and we will find the road ahead. There will always be another day and the sun will rise again. Nothing is powerful enough to hold us down forever, and we will prevail.

People are creative and when they’re determined to do something, will figure out how to get to it. They may not care if what they want pushes us out of the way or blocks us from the road we want to take. They may take something we wanted for ourselves and barely look back as they rush forward. We can learn to modify our plans when needed, adjust to unexpected changes, and continue forward despite any unplanned developments. We know what we want and are smart enough to find our way to the destinations we desire, no matter what comes.

Some people are loud and need to broadcast every success they achieve. “Look at me, look at me,” they seem to say. It’s nice to get recognition when we’ve accomplished something difficult, but the real prize is what we’ve learned and how we’ve grown along the way. Everything we do teaches us something new and as we struggle through difficulties and complications, we gain skills we can take with us in the future. Nothing can compare to the great satisfaction that comes from overcoming a very hard challenge. We are intelligent and wise, and can solve any problem that comes, no matter how complicated or tangled. Success is always there for us and we will achieve it.

Today if the road ahead is suddenly no longer available and everywhere you look there are problems and complications, step back and look at all the options before you. Decide how you want to proceed and look forward. You have everything you need to reach the goal. Nothing can overcome you and you will find success. Be confident. You are amazing and capable, and will find the way.

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Where Are You?

18 Apr

In this day and age of technological advancements, it seems there are screens everywhere. We have our iphones, ipads, laptops, and every other conceivable device to keep us “connected,” whatever that means. It’s fine to use whatever tools we need when we have things to do but if we become so dependent on our devices that we can’t set them down, we may create problems for ourselves. If we’re constantly staring at a screen, it will be impossible to be completely effective in our personal lives. And if we let them interfere with our personal relationships, we may create uncomfortable complications we could avoid. If we’re having lunch with a friend or family member and continually watch our phones, or continue to text others, we may alienate and offend those we’re with. It’s impossible to be in two places at the same time. What is possible is to physically be in one place and mentally be in another, and the place in our head will actually be where we are. We can’t have meaningful connections with people we ignore, or engage in conversations in person at the same time as we’re engaging in the virtual world. We must decide what’s most important and where we really want to be. If we only engage in virtual connections, our in-person skills will suffer. It’s demeaning and disrespectful to expect others to wait around while we talk to someone else on-line. We decide where we want to be every moment of every day. Our personal connections are important. We’ll find great happiness and satisfaction when we value them enough to give them the attention they need and the time they deserve. Nothing is more valuable than our interpersonal relationships. We can control our choices to ensure we show how much they mean to us by caring for them and honoring them.

We’re often busy and when there’s a lot going on and someone wants to see us, we may ask them to wait a moment until we can give them the time they need. Most people are patient and will wait, but if we continually push them off because we’re distracted with one thing after another, they may give up and decide to move on. The valuable information and beneficial guidance they may have offered us will be lost if we’re unable to effectively govern how we spend our time.

Life rushes by in a flash. Every single day is a blessing and by focusing on where we are in each moment, we’ll get the most out of them. Being where we are instead of mentally checking out to someplace else will enrich our lives in deep and profound ways. Nothing is more important than this moment. We can take control of our lives and choose to live here and now, and find great satisfaction and happiness.

Today if you’ve been distracted by all the screens and technology around you, remember you only have this one day. Yesterday is gone and there are no guarantees for tomorrow. You are an incredible gift to the world. Share your life in-person with those around you and live fully in this moment, and every happiness and success will be yours.

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Sidewalk Cracks

17 Apr

As we’re walking briskly along, we might see a tiny flower poking through a sidewalk crack. It’s amazing to imagine how anything could ever take root in the middle of a concrete path but there it is – a tiny, perfect flower – raising its head to the sunshine determined to survive. Sometimes our lives feel like that. We’re surrounded by others busily going about their duties and fulfilling their various roles and responsibilities, and we may feel we’re pushing up through an endless concrete road trying to survive. We may seem insignificant and overlooked compared to the seemingly obvious accomplishments of others, and it can be hard to feel important and valued. If others are louder than we are or garner more attention than we do we may fade into the background, unsure of ourselves. But we are here and we are important. We have so much to offer, and everything we do changes the world around us in some way. There is no way to know how much impact our decisions have over others and as we go through our days, choosing well, we bring light and goodness. We are worth more than we can imagine and our influence brightens every situation. Like that tiny flower pushing up through the sidewalk, our very presence can bring joy and delight. Nobody else can give the gifts we have to offer. The world is a huge place with billions of people, but there isn’t anyone else like us anywhere. Our influence is critical and we fill an important role. We can be confident that we’re essential and valuable, and nobody can ever take our place.

When we’re baking cookies, there are a lot of different ingredients we need to add to get the results we desire. If we leave even one item out of the mix, the cookies won’t come out the way we want them to. The recipe may call for a tiny amount of salt and we may think it’s so small we can just ignore it. But then when we taste the cookies, we discover that even though the amount of salt was small, omitting it has changed the entire flavor and the cookie isn’t as good. We don’t have to be the main focus to be important. Even if our voice is small, it’s valuable. Our influence makes everything better, and brings variety and richness to the world around us.

There are so many big, amazing things happening around the world all the time. There are great discoveries being made, great accomplishments being completed, and it’s easy to feel we don’t mean much to the overall scheme of things. But if we weren’t here, all the relationships we have with others and all the good influence we bring would disappear. The world would be left with a void where we offered our help and encouragement. Our influence is imperative to the success of everything around us. We are valuable and worthwhile, and bring positive energy and light to the whole world.

Today if you feel insignificant and irrelevant, remember there isn’t anyone else like you anywhere. You have gifts and blessings to offer nobody else can give. You are priceless, and bring a light to everything around you. Be confident. We need your presence, and the whole world is blessed because you are here.

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