The Last Step

14 Jul

We make millions of decisions as we go through our lives.  Some of them are obvious and we know the answer right away and others are more obscure and require some thought.  There are limitless choices going forward no matter where we are.  If we don’t know where we want to go, any road will do but if we have a destination in mind we will need to carefully consider our choices.  Since we can’t read the future and can’t always see the end of the road, the best we can do is review all the information we have and make the best choice possible.  There is an undeniable truth in life that when we choose the first step on a path we also choose the last.  If we don’t know where the path is going we may end up somewhere we don’t want to be.  It’s important to weigh our choices carefully, especially when the results of those choices may have lasting consequences.  If we jump and decide on something out of convenience or speed we may make decisions that take us to destinations we don’t desire or that bring us trouble and complication.  Every road has an end.  We can carefully consider all the choices before us and get all the information we need to make sure that end is what we desire.  If we are careless and haphazard in our decisions they may be filled with confusion and disarray.  It takes valuable time to clean up after a bad choice and until we correct our course we can’t continue forward.  We can evaluate our decisions before we make them and find the best way ahead.  We deserve every happiness and success.  We can ensure our success by choosing carefully and making decisions that take us exactly where we want to go.

Speed is important when we’re in a race.  If we want to win a timed competition we need to be as quick as possible.  But speed isn’t always an asset when making choices about our lives.  Although there may be times when we must make decisions quickly, often there is no timetable involved.  We don’t need to rush and we can take the time needed to see all the options before us and understand where they will take us.  Once we are clear on the best way forward we can begin and if complications arise we can manage them and continue.

Sometimes there are many good options for a decision and it doesn’t matter which we choose.  If that’s the case we may choose any path we like and simply begin.  There will always be adjustments and modifications along the way and if we’ve chosen well those alterations will be manageable.  If we make the best decisions starting out our path will be easier and we’ll be more effective in reaching the goal.  Our lives are ours and we can be as successful as we choose to be.  Taking time to choose well before we begin our journey will enable us to successfully reach any destination.

Today if you’ve got a big decision to make and aren’t sure which way to go, evaluate all the options before you and weigh them carefully.  You will find the best road to travel to end up where you want to be.  There isn’t anything you can’t do and every success you seek is possible.  Move forward with confidence.  You have everything you need to succeed.

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What We See

13 Jul

“Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw the mud, the other saw stars.” Dale Carnegie

They say perception is reality. We all see things through our own paradigms and they are colored by our perception and how we think. Some people are natural optimists and even in dark times find something that makes them happy. Others see trouble in every aspect of their lives and struggle to feel joy. Two people facing the exact same issue may see it completely differently. We have the power to change our perspective and choose to find joy no matter what we’re facing. There will always be something to be happy about no matter how dire the circumstances. If we determine to find the one good thing while we struggle we will feel calmer and more confident as we go forward. Life is a great blessing. It isn’t always easy, it isn’t always fun and it isn’t always what we want to do. But no matter what it is, we have everything we need to not only survive but thrive as we progress. We can look down and see only mud, or we can turn our eyes upward and see the stars. It’s all there for us. We need only choose how we’ll see it.

We take a lot for granted as we go through our days. We grow accustomed to our comfortable homes, our cars, our clothes, our food, our jobs if we have them, and all the rest. We expect them to be there from day to day and rarely think about losing them. But sometimes life throws a wrench into the works and something fails. We get sick, or our cars die, or our jobs are threatened and suddenly we remember how many blessings we have and how much we want them. It’s easy to become complacent until the bottom falls out and we must face the possibility of losing something we love. We can choose to be thankful for everything we have. When we recognize our personal blessings, and appreciate all the gifts we possess, we’ll find more humility and grace and get closer to the person we most want to be.

Some people are never happy. They may complain because they don’t have a job and then get one and complain because it’s hard to go to work every day. There are lots of reasons why people are unhappy and we can justify every emotion we feel but happiness is a choice we make. It’s something only we can give ourselves. It really doesn’t matter what is going on outside us. If we choose to, we can find happiness in any situation. There will always be something for which to be grateful. If we seek out those precious, sometimes small gifts, our lives will be enhanced and we will feel deeper joy. Life is an incredible gift but how we live it is up to us.

Today if you’ve been feeling bad and find yourself looking down at the mud instead of up at the stars, change your focus. You have so many things to be grateful for. Find joy in the small moments and see every gift you possess. Your life is precious and priceless. Be happy and find joy. It’s right there for you. Reach for it and embrace it.

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Worth the Time

12 Jul

There are ups and downs in everyone’s life.  There are unexpected developments we can’t prevent and sometimes others do things that complicate our situation or cause us distress.  When someone hurts us or causes us problems we may be angry and decide to give the same behavior right back to them.  After all, they negatively impacted our lives and we might think it’s only fair we return the favor.  We can do anything and there are limitless ways we can get back at others for things they’ve done.  But is it worth our time?  Each day is a blessing and we don’t have unlimited time to live our lives.  If we use the time we have doing things out of spite or revenge we miss the chance to do something of value.  Each minute will pass no matter what we choose.  We can use them to build up our lives and love those around us, or we can get down in the dirt and get even.  When we get to the end of our lives and review our most precious moments it’s doubtful we’ll treasure the times we wasted on retribution.  Our time is the most valuable asset we possess.  If we use it to continually move forward, care for ourselves and deepen our love for those around us we will find great joy in our experiences.  We cannot control the choices of others but we can control how we respond to them.  We can choose to value ourselves and our time as precious and refuse to give it up for things that are meaningless.  We are priceless and unique and deserve every happiness.  Making the best choices with our time will help us find the joy and peace we seek and bring us every success we desire.

Some people see life as a big scorecard.  If something good happens to them they get points in the positive column and if something goes wrong the points go into the negative.  Scorecards are great for sports and games but not so effective in our lives.  We cannot control what each day will bring and there may be times when we face challenges that bring us down.  But everything always changes and no matter what is happening or who is involved it’s not permanent.  Problems and hard times aren’t always negative experiences.  There is always something to be learned and gained as we navigate them and sometimes the hardest moments of all teach us everything we need to go forward successfully.

It hurts when we’re treated badly and it isn’t fair when others are inconsiderate, rude or mean to us.  If we remember the responsibility and accountability for bad behavior belongs to those who exhibit it and not those who receive it we will have a better understanding of the best way forward.  We can always choose to do what’s right no matter what those around us are doing.  Our lives are ours to design and we can make decisions that will bring us every blessing.

Today if you’ve been treated badly and are pondering revenge, remember how precious your time is.  You have so much good to offer and are a blessing to the world.  Choose the path that takes you where you want to go to become the person you most want to be.  You deserve every happiness and success.  Your excellent choices will bring them to you.

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Moving On

11 Jul

There are all kinds of people in the world. Some embellish our lives and bring us fun and happiness. Others may bring complication and drama. There are limitless experiences and we might face times when we get hurt because of our association with someone. The human race is a mixed bag and from day to day we never know what we’re going to see. When we have painful experiences with others and are hurt deeply we may want to get as far from them as possible, and sometimes we can do that. But if we must continue to interact with them because of professional alliances or personal connections we can’t break such as family relationships, it may be hard when they are near us. If the pain is raw it may be difficult to breathe when they appear and very hard to navigate the situation. Even if we’ve been successful in staying away from them for a time, if they unexpectedly re-enter our circle it may be hard to get through. The memory of the pain from our previous experience may come flooding back and we may feel we’re suffering through it all again. Even if it feels we’re right back where we were it’s only an illusion triggered by memory. We can take a breath and remember how far we’ve come. We need not re-live anything that is painful and if old feelings wash over us we can see them objectively and let them go. Old wounds always heal if we let them and memories only have the power we give them. We have so much to offer and can keep moving forward no matter what has passed. Each day brings a new promise and we can create happy and successful lives going forward.

Deception is a destructive tool. It can be used to create convincing mirages that mislead us. If others use deception to pull us in we may find ourselves walking foreign territory, unsure of what is real and where to go. Often there is much confusion and misdirection but we may miss the cues if we value those leading us along. When the deception is revealed, as it inevitably will be, we may feel lost or shame that we fell for the lie. But there is no fault when we have faith and believe in others. The blame and responsibility belong to those who deceive and not those who are taken in.

Honesty is an all or nothing position. We’re either honest or we aren’t. There is no sliding scale or gray area. When we are honest in all our dealings our lives are easier to manage and clearly understood by those around us. If we manipulate the truth to suit our needs, or pretend to be something we aren’t, in time our deception will be uncovered. Hurting others through deception will never bring us lasting happiness. It’s far better to live cleanly and openly, even when the truth is difficult. Using dishonest plans, following those who deceive or reshaping what is real to fit our personal desires will only bring us hardship. We can live noble and honest lives and choose what is best at every turn and when we do we’ll find lasting happiness.

Today if you must face a situation that carries with it bad memories from the past, remember who you are and how far you’ve come. You are strong and resilient and capable of living an excellent and successful life. The past is behind you and has no power over your future. Go forward with confidence. There isn’t anything you can’t do.

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Setting it Back

10 Jul

As we direct our lives forward sometimes we suffer setbacks that move us backward or hold us in place.  They may involve others who have a different idea of what we should be doing or unforeseen circumstances or developments that stop us in our tracks.  Setbacks are never in our plans and when they happen all we may see is the time we’re losing as we try to correct our course.  It’s irritating when something stands in our way going forward but setbacks are not just complications.  They are also opportunities to stop and review the plans we’ve made and look at options going forward.  Every problem brings with it an opportunity to learn.  If we maximize those opportunities and learn as much as possible we will find the way forward and carry with us all the information we gain.  No matter how much we know about anything we can’t know everything.  A setback is merely a pause in our progress that gives us time to look again.  While we’re standing still we can review our plans and explore new options.  We may find a different perspective that opens new arenas we had not previously considered.  There isn’t anything that can stop us from reaching our goals.  No matter what detours or diversions arise we can find the way to success.

Big plans often have many moving parts.  We may need to fully accomplish one step before we can move to the next.  If it takes a long time or the journey is complicated and difficult we may tire of the struggle and get burned out.  If we need a break we can take one.  Sometimes stepping back for a short time and gaining a fresh view allows us to find ways to move forward more quickly and efficiently.  If we get mired down in our efforts we may develop tunnel vision only being able to see one road ahead.  But there are many roads that lead to every destination.  If we step back and set the goal aside for a moment we may more easily see other options available to us and find a clearer path going forward.

There is no required timeline for most of the goals we want to achieve.  We can set our own schedule and work around the other parameters of our lives.  If we must step away from a goal for a time in order to focus on more pressing situations we can set it back and then pick it up again when the time is right.  There is no need to pressure ourselves to accomplish anything too quickly.  We can make plans that fit into our lives without compromising the other responsibilities we must care for.  There really isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.  We are capable and wise and can move forward in exactly the best way.

Today if you’ve been pushing hard to reach a goal and have suffered a setback and are stuck, use the time to see the whole picture.  Let all the options present themselves and you’ll find the next step.  You are smarter than you think and there isn’t anything you can’t do.  Look around.  The road is there for you and you will find it.  Success is just ahead.

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