Fire Sale

24 Oct

We each have our own standards and who we are is defined by our personal values and how we manifest them in our lives. The true definition of who we are is marked not by what we say we believe, but by what we actually do. We can hold fast to our standards, or sell out whenever we choose. Selling out is easy to do and we may simply go along with whatever is happening and ignore the beliefs we talk about. Our lives are fluid and ever changing, and every decision we make takes us somewhere. We are always free to choose but not free to choose the results of those choices. Being true to what we value and holding fast to nobility and honesty will always take us to places that enrich and encourage us. Decisions to keep achieving the goals we most want aren’t always easy to make, and there will always be those around us suggesting other options. If we want real happiness and success the only way to reach it is to determine what is most important and who we want to be. Setting our course ahead following what we value most will bring us happiness. There are endless diversions and distractions all around us. If we look we will always find other places to go. But if we stay true on the course we desire most we will reach our destination and find peace and contentment. We can go anywhere, do anything, and be anyone. Deciding how best to navigate our way forward will make us the people we want to become.

Although many things in life are flexible, some things are absolute. There is no sliding scale for honesty. We may believe if we’re honest most of the time we’re fine, and we probably are. But being anything most of the time will never make us genuine. If we really want to be honest, caring and kind, we must commit to adopting those behaviors all the time. Of course, nobody is perfect and there will be times we may slip but if we are constant in our desire to hold true, over time, we will succeed.

Actors work at playing roles. They pretend to be something they are not and can be quite convincing. If we want to seem different than we really are in order to fit in or to go along, we may act in ways that take us away from where we want to be. There can be a lot of pressure to assimilate and instead of standing firm we may bend in order to blend. The problem with bending away from what we want most is that it takes us further from our goal. We know what we need to do and where we want to go. We don’t have to fit into anyone else’s model or blend into any situation. Our lives are ours and we may direct them according to what is most important to us. We can find every success and reach any destination we desire. True happiness is there for us and we will find it.

Today if you’ve been modifying your actions away from what you most want for yourself, turn back and be true to what is most important to you. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Step forward on your own path and hold fast to your values. The world is blessed because you are here. We need your good influence. Be confident and step ahead.

Standing Alone

23 Oct

Most of us are born into some kind of family unit, often with others around us much of the time.  As we grow we learn from watching them, talking to them, and living our lives alongside them.  As adults we may have large groups of people we communicate with every day or small gatherings where we share our lives.  We may become partners, friends and companions, or make different types of connections to those around us.  As children, if we’ve had a strong family experience, we may believe that everyone in the world will help us and guide us along as we grow.  When we first step into adulthood we soon realize we are the only ones really looking out for us and our successes depend solely on our personal determination and direction. No matter how close our ties are, and no matter how many connections we make we are independently living our lives.  Nobody can live our lives for us and we stand alone in every choice we make.  We choose our own way forward every day.  We are strong and powerful and no matter where we are or what is going on we have everything we need to manage our lives effectively.  There isn’t a problem too complex for us to solve and even in the most difficult of times we will find our way through.  We stand alone with every decision but standing alone isn’t a deterrent.  It allows us to independently choose our own path and reach any destination we desire.

Some people like to have others around them all the time.  They like to engage them with every decision they make and feel more confident if someone else helps them make choices.  While it’s helpful to get advice when we need it, if we rely on others to help us make every decision we may forget we have everything we need already to choose wisely.  We know what we want and can confidently determine what we want to do and where we want to go.  We can be sure of our ability to make excellent decisions and move forward toward success.

Understanding that we are ultimately living our lives independently doesn’t mean we don’t need or want others around us.  It’s good to make connections and build relationships that make life more enjoyable.  We can share our lives as much as we like and allow others to get close.  Being able to make decisions on our own and respect our personal self-reliance doesn’t preclude us from allowing others to connect with us.  We can be part of a group and still maintain our personal autonomy.  We can be strong standing alone even when we stand side by side.  Our lives belong to us and we own every decision we make.  We can be strong, wise, careful and confident.  The world is ours for the taking and success is always there for us.  There isn’t anything we can’t do and do well.

Today if you’ve been leaning on others to help you make decisions, remember how strong and capable you are.  You already know what you want and have everything you need to find success.  There is greatness in you.  Nothing will stop you from winning.  Stand strong and go forward with confidence.  The road ahead is there for you and you will reach every destination.

Vipers

13 Oct

There are all kinds of people in the world.  Although most of us try to be the best we can be, there are some who have other ideas.  They think nothing of lying, or cheating or displaying other forms of unethical and difficult behaviors.  They may be ruthless having no feeling or compassion for others.  Their reasons are their own and have no effect on our lives unless we let them close to us, unaware of their true nature.  If we fall into their game we may develop connections with them not knowing the full story.  We may end up in a nest of vipers without even knowing what happened.  But truth is very powerful and will always rise.  Nobody can fool everyone forever.  In time we will know the real story and if we want to change our situation, can do what is needed.  We are very intelligent and perceptive.  If things don’t add up, and there are continual doubts and questions about what someone is doing, we will uncover the truth.  Snakes are certainly sly and can be very sneaky but we can see everything clearly when we’re ready.  We deserve the best relationships possible and if we find we’re in a situation where we’ve been manipulated to believe things that are not true we can correct our course.  We can turn away from those who are disingenuous and dishonest.  Our lives are ours and no matter what connections we’ve made, if they are not what is best for us, we can disconnect and begin again.  Every success is possible for us.  By wisely choosing with whom we share our lives we will reach every desired destination.

Beautiful packaging can be interpreted as value.  Lovely words, compliments, and seemingly sincere offers to help can draw us in and make us believe we are cared for.  If the person offering these is honest and ethical we may develop a close and lasting bond.  But if they are merely playing a game to get something from us they desire, believing in them may bring us trouble in the end.  If things are not as they seem, we may question the situation and find the truth.  It’s good to trust others but if we discover that trust was misplaced we can step back and reroute our course.

If we discover someone we’re very close to hasn’t been honest and we have believed in a lie, we may be devastated.  We may blame ourselves for falling for them and decide we will never trust anyone else again.  Bad behavior belongs to those who use it and not those they hurt.  Believing someone and trusting them is appropriate.  If we find they have been dishonest, we are not at fault.  Every experience teaches us more about our lives and those with whom we associate.  We can learn as much from the situation as possible and take that knowledge forward to help us discern truth more effectively in the future.  We are capable of making excellent decisions, and using what we learn as we move forward will enhance our ability to succeed.

Today if you discover you’ve been tricked into believing something that isn’t true, step back and see the entire situation clearly.  You are smart and strong and can discern what is real.  Determine how you want to go forward and correct your course.  Be confident and wise.  Every success is available to you and nothing will keep you from it.

One Piece

12 Oct

There are billions of people in the world. A billion is a number so large it’s hard to comprehend. There are people on every continent and every corner of the earth. Although technology can make the world seem small it’s quite huge encompassing a vast expanse and there are people everywhere. When we think of the enormity of the view we may feel insignificant. We’re such a small part of the whole human race we may think we don’t matter. Our personal lives may seem inconsequential and unimportant. But think about a huge, enormous jigsaw puzzle with billions of pieces. Each piece is small but if you put it all together and there is one piece missing it will be a glaring deficit. It won’t be complete without every piece in place. It’s the same with us. We may feel small in comparison to the whole world, and we are, but we are an important piece of the puzzle. We count and our contributions are valuable. We make the composition whole. Without us the world would miss an integral part of its experience. Our lives may be small but we impact everything around us and everything we do makes the world what it is today. No life is inconsequential or without value. We all count. We are all worthwhile and essential. Remembering how important we are to the whole will help us cherish our lives more deeply. We are precious and priceless. Everything we do has value and our part is necessary to complete the puzzle.

There are kings, presidents, rulers and others with incredible influence all over the world. They have the power to change how things work and what happens in countries and nations all across the earth. Although we may not have those attributes in our personal lives we are powerful in very personal ways. Our impact is felt with every decision we make and everything we do. We can show great love and care to those around us and bring happiness and joy into other lives. Everything we do changes something. If we are mindful and do the best we can we may change the whole world for good.

As we go about our daily routines and our personal issues we may forget how important we are in the big picture. Our choices bring changes into our lives and impact the lives of those around us. If those choices are made well our impact will be positive. If we are careless and create problems as we move forward, we may leave behind a trail of trouble and despair. There is no way to get through life without affecting those around us. What we choose will bring joy or sorrow, and happiness or grief. If we choose to be the best influence possible our personal gifts will be precious and may change the world for good.

Today if you’re feeling like you don’t count, and your contributions are insignificant, remember your piece of the puzzle is priceless. Nobody else can fill your space. You are the only one who can do your part. Everything you do changes the world. Be confident and go forward knowing you are valuable and precious. Nobody else can bring the gifts you give. You are important and essential. The influence you bring is unique and we need you here.

What’s Next

11 Oct

Every decision and choice we make carries with it a result.  We don’t live in a vacuum and it’s impossible to do anything without affecting something else.  Sometimes the results of our choices are exactly what we planned and hoped for, but other times due to forces outside our control, information we don’t have, or the influence of others, things go another way.  We can’t always see what’s coming next even if we plan effectively.  The world is filled with people and each one is making constant decisions.  We may be aware of some of them but many times we don’t know what those around us are doing.  If we reach a point where our choices and theirs collide we may end up with a result we didn’t plan on.  We can only control our own actions and have no dominion over the choices of other.  However, if we take the time we need to consider all the possibilities we can see, often our decisions will take us where we want to go.  We can’t read the future but with careful planning we have the best chance of success.  Rushing and jumping to decisions will definitely take us somewhere but it may not be where we want to go and the results of a hasty choice may not bring us the benefits we seek.  There is no decision we can’t make well.  We are wise enough to choose the way forward that will take us to any destination we desire.  Every choice is ours to make and we can make them well.

There may be times when we’re faced with a situation where we cannot see a good option going forward.  We may be in a place where there are seemingly no positive choices available.  If there are no good answers we can still choose wisely.  We can evaluate all the possibilities and outcomes for each scenario, and then choose the one that best agrees with our desires moving forward.  Once that decision is made we can plan the way ahead step by step until we are on better footing and the road to the goal we seek is clear.

If we must face a difficult decision and are unsure of the outcome we may be tempted to set it aside and ignore it for a time.  We may hope the situation will simply change on its own and we won’t have to face it.  Unfortunately it’s unlikely anything will change unless we do what is needed to change it.  We can take the time we need to think about the decision but avoiding it altogether will not help us move forward.  We can face any decision we must, look at all our options and choose wisely.  There isn’t any puzzle too hard for us to solve and with patience and careful consideration we can make the best choice possible.  We are strong and capable, and there isn’t anything we can’t manage.  We can do our best to ensure the outcomes of our decisions are positive and move us forward toward our destination.

Today if you’re facing a difficult decision and you don’t know what lies ahead, review all the possibilities and weigh them carefully.  You know where you want to go and you have everything you need to succeed.  Plan well, choose wisely and you will reach your destination.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  You are strong and powerful.  Be confident.  You know what to do.