Fair and Even

7 Mar

As we interact with others who come in and out of our lives, we will meet many different kinds of people.  Some will be nice and enhance our experiences, and others may be difficult.  Everyone has their own expressions and ideas about life. We may agree with them at times and or we may be at odds.  There is an old expression, “An eye for an eye,” which loosely means I will give you back what you give to me.  It seems fair to return what we’ve been given and we may want to keep the score even by doing so.  However, if someone does something mean or hateful to us, returning that to them may not serve us well.  We may feel better hitting back, but all we will have accomplished is proving we can go as low as they did.  Who we are is defined by what we do, not what is done to us.  What seems fair may not always be the best choice.  If we want to be the best we can be, we must be willing to reach higher when we’ve been hit below the belt.  When we’ve been betrayed, scorned, cheated on, lied to, or in any other way demeaned, we can step back and decide what is in our best interest going forward.  We need not continue relationships that don’t work.  We can keep a high standard for our behavior and walk away from those who choose another road.  We are always in control of our decisions and can choose the paths that take us where we want to go.  We can be fair and still move forward with grace and dignity.  We deserve the very best of everything.  By choosing well, we will achieve it.

The fight or flight reflex can have a huge influence over us when we’re in situations that are threatening or aggressive.  We may have an almost uncontrollable desire to run from whomever is involved, or we may feel anger rise in us and desire to smash our opponent.  This is a survival mechanism that warns us of impending danger.  However, most of the time we may not be in real danger, but threatened by a situation or person who is bullying and forceful.  If we take a minute to think about how best to proceed instead of simply reacting, we will find greater success moving forward.  We can take a deep breath, recognize the instinctive cues, and then calmly make a decision about how to proceed.  We can be in control of our lives even when things go wrong and choose the best paths ahead.

Sometimes people get ahead and win despite poor decisions and bad behavior.  It’s hard to watch someone succeed by cheating or bullying, and it goes against our ideas of fair play.  When those who are dishonest or unethical win, we may feel burned and angry.  But life has a way of looping around and in the end, there is no way to escape personal accountability.  We can ensure our peace and happiness going forward by making the best choices each day and choosing the paths that will take us where we most want to go.

Today if someone has done something to hurt you and you want to get back at them, remember who you are and what you really want.  Reach higher and choose the road that will take you to excellence.  You are amazing and powerful, and nothing will stop you from succeeding.  Make your best decisions and every road will open ahead.

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Defining Bravery

6 Mar

Everyone has heard stories of amazing bravery and incredible courage. Fire fighters who run into burning buildings to rescue children, people who stand up to vicious criminals and save themselves and those with them, and people who risk their lives to go back for someone left behind in a flood. There are countless stories of incredible strength and courage in the face of terrible odds and sure disaster. Although we may have the opportunity to experience events like these, many of us will go through our lives without facing them. We may wonder how brave we really are if we never get the chance to face insurmountable odds and prove ourselves. It may seem courage requires extreme conditions to show itself, but that isn’t true. Sometimes the quietest lives exhibit amazing bravery. Quiet courage is no less impressive than extreme examples. The determined decision to do our best no matter what comes and the willingness to endure difficult situations with grace and dignity are examples of bravery and courage. When we choose the best choice in a difficult situation and must step away from what is comfortable and easy, we are valiant. When we refuse to let anger overcome us and remain calm in the face of serious conflict, we are noble. Every decision we make decides who we are. Life is filled with endless challenges and each time we take a step toward what is right, each time we refuse to be overcome and stand strong, we are brave and courageous. There is nothing we can’t do and do well. Understanding our true power will help us move forward and give us the wisdom we need to prevail.

We don’t have to be fearless to be brave. Fear is a natural response to threat and may present itself under many different situations. We will undoubtedly feel fear when we have a near miss that endangers us but it may also be present when someone confronts us or we must do something new. When we stand strong and choose the right, we exhibit great courage and strength. We are more powerful than we know and every time we make an excellent choice, our power increases. We have everything we need to be brave even in the most challenging situations, and each step we take forward brings us greater strength and ability.

Personal strength is something we may continually work on as we go through our lives. We all want to make our dreams come true and increasing our courage and temerity will help us. We can do anything we really want to do. There really isn’t anything strong enough to keep us from any goal if we are determined to make it a reality. Recognizing the power we hold as we push forward and remembering how capable we are will enable us to overcome any obstacle in our way and find success. The whole world is available to us and we can go anywhere we desire.

Today if you don’t think you have the courage to do something, remember how powerful you are. You are braver and wiser than you realize. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Forge ahead and push through anything in your way. All your dreams are there for you and you will reach them. The road ahead is wide open and waiting.

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Branded

5 Mar

How we are perceived by others is sometimes the result of what we’ve done in the past.  Our personal behavior as we move through different situations may color what other people think of us and how much influence we carry.  We often hear about personal branding and how important it is to make sure ours represents what we want it to portray.  It’s a complicated issue and people may use all kinds of measuring factors regarding it.  We may have no idea how we’re being judged, and who we really are may have nothing to do with the impressions others may assume.  It’s dangerous to label people, and although we can’t prevent anyone from assuming things about us, we can refuse to judge those around us the same way.  Branding is important in business, and how successful we are managing it will sometimes decide whether we are entitled to some opportunities.  But in our personal lives, branding may be harmful and destructive.  Although we need information to make good decisions, basing any judgement on hearsay, or rumor, or assuming people will do anything before they have the chance to try will never bring us success.  We learn about people as we interact with them.  Every time we meet with them, talk to them, or work with them we learn more about them and as we get to know them can decide how our relationship will be defined.  The world is a big place and there are infinite human expressions and experiences.  Instead of believing what we hear, we can allow others to show us who they are, and trust our personal wisdom moving forward to make the best decisions.

Everyone judges situations and those around them.  It’s a natural reflex and when we see someone who is very much like someone else we’ve known we may make assumptions about who they are.  We may instinctively assign all kinds of traits to them simply because they remind us of a previous situation.  If we don’t have much interaction with them, those reminders may stay in place indefinitely.  But everyone is different.  Even people who look alike or act alike are not the same.  Assumptions are dangerous and are sometimes based on fiction.  We are wise enough to set aside any pre-conceived ideas about anyone and let them show us who they are.  We can be open to building relationships going forward.

There may be times in our lives when we may be judged or excluded from something we desire because of a previous situation.  Perhaps we didn’t manage something the way others felt was best, or we got caught up in some drama where there was no way to win.  Life is complicated and sometimes we end up in places that convolute our path for a time.  We all go through unexpected situations, but nothing is permanent.  Change is constant, and we learn as we go.  No matter what has happened in the past, we can be confident moving forward that we will make excellent decisions and choose the right road.  We can find success ahead and achieve any goal we desire.

Today if you’ve judged someone without knowing them, let them show you who they are.  Be welcoming and keep the doors open.  There is great blessing in sharing our lives with others.  Refuse to brand and label those around you, and learn about them as you go.  Your life will be richer, and your relationships will be stronger.

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Hold Me Up

1 Mar

There are times in everyone’s life when things get complicated and we feel unsure.  The way ahead may be confusing, we may stumble trying to find the right road, and might feel we can’t succeed.  When we feel weak or lost we may be tempted to latch onto someone else and depend on them for strength.  It’s good to rely on others and work together when life is difficult but there are limits to how much that will help.  Our lives belong solely to us and every decision is ours to make.  If we need help we can find it, and if we need support those around us may give it.  But ultimately, we must stand on our own and choose the next steps forward.  If we lean on someone for too long and let go of our ability to decide on our own, we will ultimately fail.  Nobody knows us better than we know ourselves.  Expecting anyone else to know what road we should travel isn’t workable.  Everyone’s experience is different and what seems right to one may be the wrong choice for someone else.  We can’t expect anyone to hold us up indefinitely.  We have all the power and intelligence we need to find our way ahead and we can step forward with confidence making the best choices possible.  Everything we desire is there for us.  We can achieve anything if we’re willing to do what is needed to accomplish it.  The possibilities are endless, and our power is limitless once we decide what we want.  Life is a great blessing.  Standing strong and trusting ourselves will help us move forward and find success.

Everyone has times when they feel uncertain.  We may be in a situation that is so daunting and confusing we wish we could hand it to someone else to manage.  While it’s always possible to push our responsibilities off onto others, if we do, we will never gain the lessons and experiences possible by taking care of them ourselves.  Everything we go through teaches us something of value to carry forward.  Our most difficult trials often bring us the greatest blessings.  We can manage anything that comes and are strong enough and wise enough to find any answers we need.  Every step forward takes us closer to our goals.

When we’re working on something difficult and complicated, if it’s taking longer than we thought it would we may begin to tire.  We can always step back and take a break.  We can move away for a time to refocus and review all the options before us.  Sometimes a short break will help us see something new that will open the way ahead.  There isn’t anything we can’t do and all the answers we need are there for us.  We can be confident in our ability to prevail and conquer any challenge we are facing.  We are strong and capable, and nothing is out of reach.

Today if you’re facing something difficult and feel overwhelmed and unsure, remember how strong and capable you are.  There is no problem you can’t solve.  Get the help you need and look at all the options available.  You will find the answers and succeed.  You are amazing and talented, and nothing is too difficult for you.  Look up and move forward.  Success is just ahead.

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Roll Over

28 Feb

When we’re facing a big disappointment or difficult development in our lives, our first instinct might be to ignore it, hide from it, or try not to think about it.  It’s hard to look head on at something that hurts us and it may seem stepping back to avoid it is a good option.  We may think if we give ourselves some time to adjust it’ll be easier to go back to it later.  Devastating issues and terrible problems may come to us as we navigate our lives.  There might be times we feel the situation is too painful and extreme to face, and run in the other direction trying to avoid it.  We can ignore anything that happens but the issue will remain in place until we look at it fully and do what is needed to get through it.  No matter what has happened or how bad things seem, we are strong enough to manage it and find our way forward.  Instead of trying to hide, it’s best to stand strong and let everything roll over us, completely exposing every single detail.  A huge, intense wave in the ocean is strong and powerful but all the power is expended when it hits the shore.  Our most serious difficulties may hurt when we look at them openly and let them in, but once they are completely uncovered their power over us will diminish and we can begin to find our way through them.  There isn’t anything too strong or complicated for us to navigate.  We have all the wisdom and courage we need to handle anything we must.  We can be confident even when we’re unsure and step forward knowing we will prevail.

We all have ideas about what we can manage in our lives.  There are possible developments we may think we could never face, and sincerely hope they will never come.  But life is unpredictable and sometimes the very thing we don’t think we can manage actually happens.  If it does, we may be stunned in place and think we cannot survive it.  No matter what we think, or how horrible the situation seems, we can overcome it.  We are strong enough to face hard times and very difficult problems, and successfully find our way through.  Step by step we can move forward and manage anything.

Sometimes we must face many difficult trials at the same time.  When they come one after the other we may tire and feel overwhelmed.  It’s harder to continue forward when there are many struggles pulling on us and it may seem we’ll never get to the end of the trouble.  Nothing lasts forever and no problem can continue indefinitely.  If we keep our eyes focused on the road ahead, we can solve every issue one step at a time.  We are capable of managing anything in life, and even if we feel lost, will find our way through.  The whole world is available to us and we can overcome anything and find success.

Today if trouble is looming ahead and you aren’t sure you can manage it, stand strong and face everything head on.  You are wise and intelligent, and certainly capable of handling anything you must.  There is no problem too difficult or devastating for you to untangle.  Be confident.  Every issue has a solution and the answers are there for you.  Keep walking and you will find the way forward.

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