Different Color

15 Aug

It’s easy to be around people who are like us.  If they have similar values, see the world in basically the same way we do and share our views of what’s right and wrong, it’s easy to be around them and share our lives with them.  But everyone is different and even if we’re sure our way of thinking is best for us, it’s foolish to believe it’s the way everyone else should live.  There are endless ideas and expressions possible and we all form our own views based on what we’ve experienced and what we want to gain.  What’s important to us may mean nothing to someone else.  It doesn’t mean either is wrong.  It’s just a difference in interpretation.  If we draw a hard line in the sand and require others to be like us in order to have a relationship with us, we may have a very lonely life.  We all have some things in common – we’re human beings, our basic needs are the same and we’re sharing the earth at the same time.  Other differences don’t change those parameters.  A horse of a different color is still a horse after all.  But everything else for us may be different than those around us and that’s fine.  We are unique and our expressions and desires are specific to our personal experience.  As long as nobody is getting hurt, allowing others to express themselves according to their own wishes is wise.  We may not understand their viewpoint but we can respect their right to it and honor their choices.  We don’t have to do anything that isn’t right for us and can follow our own specific paths.  As we do we can walk beside others who are taking a different road and create friendships despite the difference.

Hatred is a caustic emotion.  It never brings peace or anything of value to us.  Hating others because they are different than we are will never bring us happiness.  Even if we have no understanding of why someone would choose something we can understand and accept their right to make the decision.  We don’t have to agree or support anything that is contrary to our personal values but we can’t impose our beliefs on others.  We all have the right to live our lives any way we choose.  Respecting that right will help us clarify where we stand and define the paths we want to take.

Our personal experiences are unique to us.  Nobody is living our lives but us and nobody else is privy to the insight and understanding we gain as we go through different passages.  We can be confident in our choices and sure of our decisions.  It doesn’t matter if everyone else is going left, we can turn right if it’s right for where we are.  There are limitless roads to travel and the ones we choose are up to us.  We are unique and perfect in our own way.  Honoring that uniqueness in ourselves and others will bring us true and complete happiness.

Today if you’re confused about the decisions made by others around you, remember you only have insight into your own life.  Your experiences are unique to you and you can make any choices you like.  Honor the same in others and your life will be enriched.  We’re all different.  You are perfect in your own way.  Be welcoming to others and show the world your best.

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No Go

8 Aug

There are limitless things we can accomplish and endless goals we can work toward.  When we want something we can create a plan to achieve it and move forward toward success.  If we had control over everything around us we could always guarantee we’d be able to reach every goal we desired.  Unfortunately, we live in the real world and the only control we have is over ourselves.  There will always be other people making decisions that impact us and other things we don’t know about and can’t prevent from getting in the way.  If we’re determined to reach a goal we can work diligently and push through obstacles in our way but we may face a situation where no matter what we do we can’t get there.  Sometimes the hurdles are too high or the barrier in front of us is too wide to get around.  If there is nothing we can do to change the situation we may have to abandon the goal and let it go.  It’s hard to face defeat when we’ve worked hard to succeed especially if we’ve worked hard for a long time.  We don’t know what we don’t know and can’t see everything at the beginning.  Sometimes no matter how well we plan or hard we push things won’t work out for us.  If we must let go of a goal, we can set it down and walk away – for now.  Life is constantly in flux and everything changes around us over time.  What is impossible today may come easily in the future so although we have to leave the dream behind now, if we still want to accomplish it we can revisit it later and try again.

It’s great to reach the destinations we desire but the journey along the way is what teaches us about our world.  Every experience teaches us something and we take that knowledge forward with us.  Even if things don’t work out we have more information than when we started and understand more clearly where we are and what we need.  We can use all the lessons we’ve gained to reach new heights moving forward and continue toward the lives we want the most.

When we’ve been stopped and can’t move before we reach a goal we can develop another plan and try again.  We can try as often as we like and may reach success.  Most goals are attainable but there are some things we won’t be able to achieve no matter what we do.  To continually knock ourselves out trying to do something that can’t be done is not in our best interest.  Trying to do the impossible will only hold us back from finding success in other areas.  If we’ve done all we can and still can’t move forward we can turn our course toward something else.  It’s wise to accept defeat when success isn’t possible.  We can be confident in choosing well and living in ways that bring satisfaction and ultimate success.

Today if you’ve been working hard for a long time toward a goal and can’t move forward, look at everything clearly.  If there are possible options that will bring success, try them.  If not, determine where you want to go now and begin again on a new road.  There is no failure as long as you continue forward.  Be confident and trust your judgement.  You are wise and capable and will find success.

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Swinging the Bat

7 Aug

There are a lot of risks in life. Every day we take some sort of risk just going through our responsibilities and accomplishing our tasks. We never know what will happen so we try to be careful and do the best we can to make sure everything goes the way we want it to. Most of the time things work out but sometimes they don’t and when that happens we are able to change our plans and move forward a little differently. If we want to change something in our lives – our jobs, our relationships, our financial situation, even our appearance – we must take a risk that what we do will work in our favor. It can be unsettling to step away from what we know and try something new but we will never reach our goals if we stay locked in place. It’s impossible to hit the ball if we don’t swing the bat. We can dream about what we want and talk about the changes we desire for years, but until we take action, nothing will change. Time will go by and we will stay exactly where we are, doing exactly what we’re doing. We can make all our dreams come true if we’re willing to step away from what’s comfortable and take a chance. Every opportunity is available and nothing is out of reach. By looking at every situation objectively and making a solid plan and then taking the first steps forward determined to continue until we reach the goal we’ll find success. We can do anything. We are brave enough and wise enough to face any risks we must and find our way forward.

It’s easy to stay in the same place over time. We know the scenery, the others involved, and we understand the role we play. If we become complacent and simply go through the motions of the same patterns every day, chances are our lives will be predictable and easy. There is nothing wrong with having a simple life that is easy to understand and navigate – if that’s what we want. But if we yearn for more challenge and more reward we must step away from where we are and walk on a new road. We don’t have to change everything at once. A simple adjustment that moves us in a new direction will open unexpected opportunities that embellish our experiences and bring us great satisfaction.

There is no time limit for change and we are never too old to try something new. There are no expiration dates on possibilities. Even if we’ve been doing the same things for many years, we can adjust our course going forward. We can always change direction and extend our reach in a new arena. Life is filled with opportunities and we can aim for anything we desire. There will always be risk but taking a chance on a fuller, more exciting and fun life, will bring great rewards.

Today if you’ve been doing the same things for a while and want a change but are unsure you’ll succeed, take the chance. You will manage whatever comes. There is great reward in trying new things and your life will be magnified as you open new doors. Do what you dream and push ahead. Everything is there waiting for you. Take the first step and you’ll reach your goal.

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Living Well

30 Jul

We all live in ways that are unique to our personal desires and goals.  We make our own decisions and the lives we end up with are the lives we choose.  Some people are very successful and inventive, and do things that impact the world or change the way it works.  Some discover cures for diseases, or create things that alter the way we live, or serve in grand ways that embellish thousands and change the world for the better.  It’s amazing and wonderful to have such greatness among us, but we don’t have to do incredible or grandiose things to live well.  The world is blessed by things that amplify goodness and make it work more easily but we also bless it when we choose well in small ways.  By being kind, serving others, and showing charity to those around us, we change the world for the better and augment the environment around us.  We have far more influence over those we interact with than we may realize.  When we reach out to comfort sadness, or extend our hands to help lift a heavy burden, when we listen with compassion or offer a kind word when someone is down, we change the world for the better.  Like ripples in the water after a pebble is tossed in, our influence can move forward indefinitely.  When we choose well we bring glory to the world around us.  That glory brings light into darkness and joy where sorrow once prevailed.  We have the power to change the world.  By choosing well, and living in ways that serve not just ourselves but those around us we turn everything toward light and bring joy and comfort.  We are powerful and good, and our choices reflect who we most want to be.

No life is perfect and there will be days when clouds roll in and the skies of trouble darken.  We may face serious trials and difficult challenges as we push forward and there may be times when we feel doubt and fear over what will happen next.  Misery may overwhelm us and we may be uncertain about how to proceed.  When we’re struggling we can allow others to reach out to us and offer help and support.  We don’t have to do everything alone.  Allowing others to comfort us will bring light and lift us as we continue forward.  Letting others help us when we are overcome helps us live well.  When things settle again and we’re back on a more even keel we can reach out to others and share the gift we received.

The world is filled with billions of people but we are all important and valuable.  Reaching out in kindness, even in small ways, can change everything for someone who is struggling.  Cheering a crying child, helping lift a grocery sack, opening a door, or simply listening when others speak are simple and effective ways to serve.  We can turn sadness into peace, sorrow into comfort and grief into hope.  We are more powerful and influential than we realize.  The whole world is blessed because we are here and we can share that blessing every day.

Today if you feel like your life is small and inconsequential and don’t think you’re important, remember your influence is greater than you know.  You are amazing and powerful and we all want to share our lives with you.  The whole world is better because you are here.  Be joyful.  Your light brings happiness to us all.

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That’s It

26 Jul

Frustration is a constant factor as we deal with issues that come in and out of our lives. Most of the time we deal with small frustrations and hang ups, work them out, and move on. But if the thing that’s making us crazy is something we can’t change or we can’t seem to find a way around it we may throw our hands up and surrender. Maybe it’s an annoying individual who always gets in our way or up in our faces making ridiculous or absurd demands that are unworkable, or a situation that no matter what we do refuses to resolve. When we’re tired of dealing with an issue and fed up with trying to find a way to move forward we may decide that’s it, we’re done and walk away. Although we’re capable of finding any answers we need given enough patience and time, sometimes our patience runs out and we don’t want to spend any more time looking. We can change course anytime we choose and no matter what is pending, can move on. Timing is always a factor and we may have to step back and wait for our situation to change before we can resolve an issue. It’s frustrating to feel like there is no way forward and it can be hard to walk away from something we really want to resolve. Getting some distance from an issue will often open new ideas and perspectives and stepping back will allow us to see the situation in a new light. There isn’t anything we can’t figure out and every answer will appear in time. We can set an issue down, work on something else and return when we are refreshed and ready to begin again.

Looking at something too closely may impair our vision of the entire project. Under a magnifying glass a walnut can look like a brain and be completely indiscernible for what it really is. If we’re too close to an issue or too involved in it emotionally, it can be hard to see the entire picture and find the answers we seek. What is impossible to see up close can become clear if we step back and look again. Seeing everything from a wide perspective will help us find the way forward and open up new possibilities we couldn’t see before. If we disengage and look at the situation objectively we will find the road ahead.

There can be a lot of noise and static around us as others come in and out of our lives and unexpected things happen. There may be many facets to the problem we’re facing and combined together they may be hard to untangle. If there are a lot of distractions and complexities it may be difficult to see all the facts we’re dealing with. We can quiet the noise by clearing our focus and deciding where we want to begin. We can solve one issue at a time and find our way to success. We are capable of managing anything we must. We are intelligent and strong, and nothing is too difficult for us to solve.

Today if you’ve had enough trying to solve an issue and are ready to quit, step back and see the entire picture. Give yourself time to think. You know how to solve even the most difficult problems. Look at everything objectively and the answers will come. You are wise and powerful and nothing is beyond your reach. You will find all the answers you need and reach success.

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