A Fair Shake

28 Nov

When we are children we’re taught to always play fair.  Cheating is seriously discouraged and we’re told to play by the rules and treat others fairly.  Those are true concepts and being fair in everything we do enhances our ethical standards and helps others trust us.  But sometimes things happen outside our control that aren’t fair and we may end up in situations that are difficult to manage and hard to understand.  We only have control over our own actions and it doesn’t feel fair to be subjected to someone else’s bad decisions but nobody is an island and there may be times when that happens and our lives are negatively impacted.  We can strive to always be fair but life won’t always cooperate.  Unexpected things can go wrong at any time.  We may get sick, or have a freak accident, or be hurt by circumstances beyond our reach.  Our sense of fairness may get bruised when things turn against us.  When we’re in the midst of unearned and unexpected trials we may suffer but we can hold onto our confidence.  Even if it’s hard to find our footing we can trust that we can still stand tall and look ahead.  No problem can last forever.  In the end, most of the time life is fair but while we’re in the middle, muddling through, we may get lost a time or two.  Life is constantly changing and we have all the courage and wisdom we need to navigate even the hardest times.  We can hold onto what we know is true and find our way.  Nothing is powerful enough to stop us from moving forward and every blessing is just steps away.

It seems fair that we should all get what we deserve.  Bad people who do things to hurt others should suffer and good people who are helpful and kind should gain happiness.  However, there will likely be times when we see bad people succeed while those who are trying their best struggle.  The law of the harvest is inescapable and immutable.  If we plant seeds of discontent, disharmony and pain, we will eventually reap the harvest of those choices.  It might not happen right away, and years may go by before we see things change, but balance will come. We are all accountable for everything we do and the choices we make determine our future happiness.

The old saying that “there is no such thing as a free lunch,” is correct.  Everything we do exacts a price of some sort.  If we make good choices that move us closer to where we want to be, we will reap the benefits and find success.  If we jumble up the works with confusion, complication and turbulence the way forward will be harder to navigate and more difficult to find.  We can make excellent choices that pave the road to happiness and peace, even in times of trial.  We can have the lives we dream about by choosing wisely and continuing forward with confidence and wisdom.

Today if you feel life is unfair and you can’t win, move toward your next step.  You can navigate through any complication or trial and choose wisely in ways that will bring you happiness.  Your life is yours to design and all your dreams can come true.  Nothing can keep you from success.  Continue forward and you will prevail.

Fuel for the Fire

27 Nov

Life is unpredictable and even when we plan well and do everything we can to make sure our plans are set, something may happen that throws everything off course. If we can’t continue forward, and the goal we wanted to achieve is no longer possible we may feel frustrated or even angry. Big disappointments are powerful and can stop us in our tracks and we may be confused about what to do next. We may feel defeated and begin to believe all the dreams we have will never come true. However, there is always another road ahead and when things go wrong, we can change our perception of what has happened and start again. Instead of allowing disappointment to stall us, we can use it to fuel our focus and push us forward. There is always another way ahead and we are never without hope. It doesn’t matter how much has broken, how many things have gone wrong, or how many times we’ve had to try again. There will always be another road and another chance to move forward. Trouble brings information and we learn more about our situation and what works with each experience. Everything that happens, even when it all falls apart, helps us refine the way forward. There is great fuel in experience and we can use it to find the road that will take us where we want to go. Life is filled with promise and no matter how complicated things get, we can still reach any goal we desire. With each step forward, we get closer to where we want to be and if we’re determined and continue pushing ahead, we can make every dream reality.

It sometimes seems there is only one way to do something. Maybe its only been done a certain way in the past and it’s hard to imagine doing it differently. Those around us may tell us it can only be done one way, and if we can’t accomplish it that way, we can never achieve it. There are some situations where there is only one option to move forward but those instances are very rare. Most of the time, despite what we may see and hear, there are many options possible if we reach beyond what we already know. If we trust ourselves to open new doors and explore new options, we’ll find the answers to even the most complex issues.

When things go wrong and the road we planned to travel is no longer available, we can throw our hands up in despair and walk away. We can forget about our goals and decide they aren’t worth the effort or we can stand still and look around at all possibilities before us. There is never only one way to any goal and anything can be accomplished if we’re willing to see other options. We can fuel our decision with what we’ve learned so far and step forward in a new direction. Every dream is possible and with determination and focus we can reach any destination we desire.

Today if things have suddenly changed and you’re disappointed and confused, use the knowledge you’ve gained so far to help you find a new road going forward. There will always be another way to get to your goal and you are wise and creative enough to find it. Be confident. There isn’t anything you can’t do and every dream is waiting for you. Step forward and you’ll reach every goal you desire.

Anywhere But Here

21 Nov

Life isn’t always a picnic filled with happy moments and fun times.  There are days when we get frustrated, bored or fed up, and we may wish we were anywhere, anywhere else but where we are.  Sometimes the situation is easily fixed by simply leaving and moving on to something else, but other times it’s not so easy.  We all have commitments that are difficult to break and we may be in situations where stepping away simply isn’t possible.  As we grind through we may feel discontent and dissatisfaction that we have to endure something we don’t want to tolerate.  There are a thousand things we’d rather be doing than what we have to do right now and thinking about them only makes us feel worse.  It’s hard to get through days when we feel bad and every moment seems to last forever but one thing is certain, the situation won’t always be this way.  Change is inevitable and while we’re marking our time in frustration, we are moving forward to something different.  Nothing lasts forever and even if we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, we can have faith that it’s there for us and we’ll reach it.  Life is long and we’ll experience many things.  Difficult and trying times are not destinations but merely passages to something else.  We can be patient and have faith that everything will eventually improve.  There isn’t anything we can’t manage and manage well.  We can keep walking forward and find our way through.

Some people are naturally positive and tend to see the good in every situation.  They may be a great blessing in our lives but when we’re unhappy, being around them may make us feel worse.  It’s true that nobody’s life is without challenge or problems but it’s also true that the way we manage those difficulties often sets the tone for how we feel.  If we are confident we will prevail and trust ourselves to find any answers we need, we may navigate problems more easily.  We can hold onto our inner peace even if things are going wrong and remember how many times we’ve overcome in the past.  There isn’t anything we can’t do and do well.

When terrible things happen and we are overcome, we may feel lost and unsure.  We can always stop and stand still whenever we need to until we get our bearings.  We don’t have to rush forward and can take some time to see everything clearly before we step forward.  Serious issues require serious thought and no matter how complicated and difficult, the answers we need will always be there.  With patience and perseverance we can find the right road ahead.  We are strong and capable, and no matter what life throws at us, can manage and move toward success.

Today if you feel frustrated and would rather be anywhere than where you are, be patient and remember change is coming.  You can manage any situation you must and endure with confidence.  Do what is needed to reach success.  You are amazing and strong.  Every blessing is just ahead and you will reach it.  Nothing can hold you down.

White Water

19 Nov

It’s fun to go rafting.  As we move through the water we can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river as we float downstream.  In the areas where the water is calm we can lie back and relax, but no river is without some kind of rapids.  Rapids may appear and rush us along quickly and as we navigate them if we want to get through we need to be aware of everything around us.  We can’t see what’s under the water and even if we’re paying attention our situation could change in an instant.  Hidden rocks and unexpected currents may quickly change our situation and we may suddenly find ourselves upended in the water looking for oars and trying to catch our raft as it races past.  We don’t live our lives on a raft but we may go through times when it seems we’re in the rapids trying to hold on while everything around us is changing.  Life can be complicated and nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.  The only thing we can really count on is that whatever we’re going through right now will change in time.  How long that takes is anyone’s guess but while we’re navigating white water and struggling to stay afloat, remembering that nothing lasts forever may boost our courage and give us additional confidence.  We’re highly capable and can adapt to any situation but change isn’t always easy.  We can trust ourselves to make good decisions and find the way forward no matter where we are.  Life is filled with challenges and we can face whatever comes.  There is sufficient strength inside us and we can be confident in any situation that we’ll find our way through and reach the shore.

The world is filled with billions of people constantly making choices and decisions that may affect our lives.  We can’t know everything and sometimes our situation changes dramatically because of events beyond our control.  When the bottom falls out and our plans go up in smoke we may be disoriented as we try to figure out what’s happening.  Change is constant and when it comes we can stop and stand still until we see everything clearly again and understand how to proceed.  We can adjust our plans to accommodate any alteration.  We can be flexible and open to new ideas and try new paths moving forward.

It seems it would be easier to live in world where everything stayed the same and we would know what to expect all the time.  Our days would certainly be simpler if people never changed and our routines were solid and unmovable.  But repetition can’t teach us anything new and life is all about learning and growing.  We can adapt to change and find new ways to accomplish anything.  We’re creative and capable of managing any situation no matter how complex or unusual.  Our experiences teach us many valuable lessons and help us become the people we most want to be.  We can embrace change, navigate the rapids and find our way to any destination we desire.

Today if your situation has suddenly changed and you don’t know how to proceed, take a moment to see everything clearly.  The scenery may be different but there is still a way forward.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  Remember how strong and capable you are.  All the answers you need are there and you will find the right road forward.

Around and Around

15 Nov

There are many things that may occupy our time and endless activities we may be involved in. Every day brings new opportunities and we can use our time any way we desire. If we’re focused on a goal and doing what is needed to make it reality, we’re likely to find success. But life is filled with all kinds of distractions and even if we’re intent on doing something, if we allow those distractions to alter our focus, we may not achieve the goals we want to pursue. There are a lot of people in our lives who may want our time for one thing or another and if we value our relationship with them, we may give it. It’s good to be helpful and supportive to those around us but if we constantly say yes to the needs of others, we may end up sacrificing the things we want the most. Time is a defined commodity that cannot be expanded or recaptured. We can’t stretch our days longer in an effort to get more done. We must manage the time we have and judiciously make decisions that will allow us to help those in need and still accomplish the things we want most. Our lives are important and our dreams can come true if we do what is needed to make that happen. Constantly being busy doing all sorts of things for everyone else may make us very popular but won’t help us achieve our personal goals. We can plan our days in ways that allow us to serve others and still have time to continue toward the destinations we desire most.

Being busy doesn’t always mean being successful. If we’re spinning around and around in circles, we are active and busy but aren’t moving forward. Continually stepping off the road that takes us to our goals to do other things will not help us achieve them. There is much to be learned by doing many different activities and we can try everything we like. However, if we spend all our time trying new things, we will never master anything. We know what we want and we know where we want to go. We can keep our eyes focused on the goals we want most and with determination we will reach them.

There are endless opportunities to do unlimited things. We can accomplish many personal goals but before we begin, we must decide what we want to do. Making lists and plans is only the first step. All the planning in the world will get us nowhere if we never move. We must actually step out and start our journey if we want to reach any destination. We are strong and capable and there isn’t anything we can’t do and nowhere too far to reach. The whole world is there for us and we can find great success and achieve all our goals.

Today if you’ve been busy doing lots of things that haven’t moved you closer to the places you want the most, revise how you spend your time. Your life is precious and your dreams are worthwhile. Make a plan to achieve the goals that mean the most and begin your journey toward them today. You can do anything. Step forward and make all your dreams come true. They’re always available to you and you will reach them.