Aspiring For Greatness

3 Jan

The world is full of opportunities. There are limitless things we can do and endless places we could go. If we wanted to, we could do something new every single day, and still never reach the end of what is possible. Although we may understand this, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut doing the same things every day. We need to provide for ourselves and for most of us, that means working a job. Most jobs aren’t worldwide endeavors that allow for endless travel and constant new experiences. Generally, we must report to the same place and do basically the same things each day. It’s easy to keep our lives small and simply continue on the same road without looking up. Being responsible and providing for our own needs is important but that doesn’t mean we can’t express ourselves and still do things that expand our horizons and allow us to aspire to greatness. Every situation is different, but no matter where we are or what we’re doing, we can choose to be the very best we can be and extend ourselves in ways that positively impact our lives. Instead of doing the minimum requirement to continue forward, we can peel back the layers a bit, get involved more deeply and really make an impact. Mediocrity is easy to achieve. We don’t have to work hard or do too much, and can simply do the minimum required to stay in place. But there is greatness in all of us and when we choose our very best options, we’ll find enormous growth and incredible fulfillment. Our lives are ours to design. By extending ourselves, and reaching further, we can reach goals we never dreamed possible. With focus and determination, every destination is attainable and we will achieve great success.

Everyone has their own ideas about how things should be done. Others may tell us what they think we should do, where we should go, and how we should act. We’re all entitled to our own opinions, but nobody knows us better than we know ourselves. We don’t have to do things a certain way simply because they’ve always been done that way. If we want something different, we don’t need to conform. We are intelligent and highly capable and can make any choice we desire. The lives we want the most are possible, and with focus and clarity, we will have them.

It’s comfortable to stay in the same place doing the same things. We know the players and pretty much what to expect. Repetition is easy but will never make our dreams come true. It can be intimidating to move into foreign territory and do something new, but we have all the courage and wisdom we need to overcome anything. New doors with limitless possibilities are waiting. We can step forward with confidence, aspire for greatness and find incredible success.

Today if you are ready to try something new, decide what you want the most and take the first step. You already possess everything you need to do anything you desire. The whole world is there for you and nothing can hold you in place. Recognize your strength, and be confident. Every success is there for you and you will prevail.

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Twinkle Lights

17 Dec

During the holiday season, we often see strands of twinkle lights hung over doorways, in shop windows, on cars, and many other places. We might decorate our homes with them and hang them on our Christmas Tree.  They aren’t big, and aren’t loud or dramatic, but wherever they are they cheerfully and quietly add charm and delight. It’s a small thing to hang them up and turn them on, but these tiny little dots of light cheer us as we move through our days. As they extinguish just one small drop of darkness, they may lighten our steps and lift our spirits. We have the same power within us. Every time we do something for someone else out of charity and kindness, we too, extinguish just a small drop of darkness and bring light.  We don’t have to move mountains, feed nations, or cure diseases to make a big impact.  One small act when someone needs it will bring great relief and comfort to those who receive it.  Maybe we just offer a helping hand with a heavy bag of groceries, or open a door for an elderly stranger, maybe we check in on our neighbor to see how they are, or call a loved one we haven’t seen in a while.  Small acts of kindness are powerful, and just like a stone tossed into a pond, may have endless rippling effects for good.  Our lives are busy and it’s easy to get caught up in our daily routine and all the things we have to accomplish.  But if we take a moment, just one small snatch of time, to look around, we will see something we can do that will enhance and improve the experience of someone around us. When we share, when we give and lift others, the whole world is enriched. We have so much to offer and so much to give.  By extending ourselves just a little and touching those around us, we can be like those tiny, beautiful twinkle lights. We have the power to change the world. Sharing with others, and caring about those around us will bring us great joy, and lasting fulfillment.

It’s hard to be around continually grouchy people, and their constant bickering brings us all down. As they bemoan what they don’t have or what they didn’t get or how they weren’t recognized or endless other gripes, those around them may try anything to get away. If we care for them we may try to encourage them to see things in a different light, and we might succeed.  However, our personal happiness is our own responsibility and if we’re determined to be miserable, there is little anyone can do. Life is complicated, and sometimes things will not go our way. Sometimes we’re going to fail, sometimes we’re going to lose, and sometimes we’re not going to get the job. But nothing is permanent and even if we’re struggling now, eventually things will change.  We can trust ourselves to do whatever is needed to change course, and find success.

Nobody gets a perfect life filled with rainbows and roses. We’re all going to suffer at some point.  If we’re enduring an extremely difficult passage, and it seems we’re doomed and there is no hope of rescue, we may struggle to find any light. It may seem as though everyone else has it better than we do, and somehow we’ve been singled out to suffer. Of course, that will never be true. Hard times may come, but no matter what happens, we will get through. No storm can last forever, and eventually the clouds will lift and everything will change. We are strong and capable, and nothing can hold us down forever. By focusing on what is working and keeping our eyes on the road ahead, we can walk through any trouble with confidence and clarity.

Today, remember how valuable and precious you are. There is great strength and wisdom within you and you are a gift to the world. Bring light to those around you, and share who you are.  Nobody could ever replace the blessings you have to offer.  Step forward with confidence.  Every gift is waiting, and every success is possible.  Nothing can keep you from your dreams, and you will prevail.

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Failure Required

15 Dec

Everyone has goals they want to achieve and we all want success.  We can decide what we want, and then do what we must to make it ours. The options are limitless and what we do is completely up to us.  It’s good to strive for what we want, and aim for success in all our dealings. We can only control our own lives, and have no power over any one else’s decisions. If we’re in competition with someone else over something we both want, we may decide we’ll do anything to win. We may feel we need to not only prevail, but crush whoever is on the other side. It won’t be enough just to win – we need the other guy to fail, and fail miserably. Finding joy in someone else’s demise may bring us momentary satisfaction, but it will do nothing to enrich or enhance our lives moving forward. Making others suffer will never bring us lasting happiness. Crushing our opponent and ensuring they never challenge us again only eliminates one player.  There will always be a bigger fish, and we’re fools if we believe we’ll always win.  We can do anything we like, but we are accountable for every decision.  There is no free space in life where what we do doesn’t count. Everything counts.  We can push ourselves to achieve, and win many different confrontations, but if we destroy others to get there, the victory will be hollow.  There is no need to crush anyone to prove we are worth the prize. We can do our best and push forward, and allow others the same privilege. We have the potential to conquer great adversity, and overcome enormous challenges. By stepping forward with confidence, sure of success, and keeping our eyes on our own road, we will achieve every goal we desire.  Nothing is beyond our reach, and there is great success ahead.

Sometimes competitions become personal. We not only try to out do the other competitors, but in the heat of the moment, may fall prey to criticism and ridicule in an effort to exert our dominance. Making others feel small may make us seem big, but the decisions we make, even in competition, decide what kind of people we are.  We can understand that competition should be fair and open, and make good choices that move us ahead without degrading others. There is greatness in us all, and by honoring the talents of those around us and striving to be the best we can be, we will prevail and reach every goal.  

In every contest, there is a winner and a loser.  Sometimes people are concerned that the losers will feel bad, and decide to eliminate the winner and give everyone a participation trophy.  That’s fine but unfortunately real life doesn’t work that way.  All the roads ahead aren’t paved, and if we lose, nobody is going to give us a prize.   Learning how to deal with losing gives us the skills we need to face disappointment and loss.  We are strong and capable, and can certainly cope with missing the mark from time to time. By choosing to stay in the game, and continue trying, success will be ours and we will prevail.

Today if you’re determined to win and will do anything to crush your opposition, remember the person you most want to be.  You have so much to offer and great gifts to give.  Show us your light, and do your best.  Everyone is embellished and uplifted because you are here.  Be confident and sure.  Every success is already there for you and you will prevail.

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Taking a Leap

14 Dec

There are endless things we can do if we want to.  The world is full of possibilities.  Every goal is achievable and we can do anything or go anywhere.  Before we begin, we may think about how we’ll proceed.  We can take all the time we like to consider all the options and start making a plan.  We can ponder the road ahead, write out every detail that may happen, share our ideas with those around us and think long and hard about getting to the goal.  Planning, preparing, thinking and talking may help us get organized and ready, but we will go nowhere until we take the leap and actually begin. Lots of people say they want lots of things but do nothing to get them.  They may talk about the new career they’re going to build, or the places they’re going to go, or endless plans they’re going to fulfill.  We may hear them again and again saying what they’re going to do, but nothing ever changes.  They’re still in the same place doing the same things.  Dreams and plans are just ideas until we decide to do what is need to make them real. We’re in control of our lives and can do anything but we will never achieve the goals we most desire without action. Nothing is going to suddenly appear just because we want it.  No fairy godmother or genie in a bottle is ever going to show up.  Wishing and hoping will not change our lives.  We are powerful and strong and can accomplish anything we desire. We can stop talking about what we’re going to do, and start doing it.  Every destination is there, waiting for us.  The lives we desire most are reachable.  By taking the first step, and continuing forward with focus and determination, we will make our dreams come true.

There is rarely a perfect time to begin something new.  Our lives are busy and complex, and if we wait for the perfect moment when everything is settled and lined up, we may wait forever.  There is no way to read the future and we have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  The best time to start moving toward a goal is when we decide we want it.  Once we’ve identified exactly where we want to go and what we want to do, we can step forward and begin.  The whole world is there for us, and we are the only ones who can keep us from success.

Change can be intimidating.  Even when we know what we want, it can be hard to take the first step.  We don’t know what will happen, we don’t know if things will work out the way we planned, we don’t know who will step in front of us, we don’t know anything except we want the goal.  Success often hinges on how much we want it.  Complications always arise, the road may turn, we might get pulled off track for a time or face a big detour.  It doesn’t matter what gets in the way.  If we’re determined to win, we will win. Every goal is possible.  Every dream awaits. We can do anything, and we will succeed. 

Today if you’ve been thinking about something you want but haven’t yet taken the leap, be brave and take the first step forward.  There isn’t anything strong enough to hold you in place.  You know what you want, and you are powerful enough to get it.  Trust yourself.  Every success is already there for you.  Nothing is out of reach and you will win.

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Dismissed

13 Dec

Everyone is unique, and there are endless ideas, expressions, interpretations, and beliefs.  We can design our lives any way we like, but we have no control over what others choose or what they do. It’s good to be polite and accepting of different viewpoints and decisions, and there is great richness to be gained by including those who are different than we are.  There is unlimited variety in all things, and we don’t all have to travel the same roads to reach success.  Although many of us understand and accept differences, some people are very sure their way is the only right way and will not tolerate anything else. They may demean others who choose a different path, criticize lifestyles and decisions, and lord over those who are too timid to stand up to their demands.  Being confident is one thing – being dictatorial and oppressive is something else.  Dismissing others who have a different viewpoint, calling them names, or isolating them will never bring anything positive.  Nobody alive has all the answers.  The smartest people on earth don’t know everything. We can do anything we like, go anywhere we want, and adopt any philosophy or belief we desire.  Every decision involving our lives is up to us, but that’s where it ends.  We have no authority to design anyone else’s life.  Everyone has the right to choose their own journey, regardless of what others think.  Being different does not mean being less.  We can be confident and sure of everything we choose, and allow others the same freedom.  By walking side by side, instead of forcing everyone to follow us, we will learn more about ourselves and the world around us.  There is greatness in us all.  By sharing our very best with those around us, we will embellish everyone.

Some people talk a lot about diversity and inclusion.  They expound on how important it is to accept others, but when someone has a different viewpoint from theirs, their ideas of acceptance sometimes fall away, and criticism and ridicule take their place. There is no way to be inclusive of others and then target those who don’t conform and exclude them from the conversation.  We don’t all have to agree to have value.  We’re valuable just as we are.  We can accept differences, even when we don’t like them.  By extending the hand of friendship, despite disagreements, we will make many great connections and build strong relationships.

Politics can be a contentious issue.  Some feel very strongly about their specific point of view and although they may say they are for including others, if someone is on the opposite side of the political aisle, they may dismiss them or worse.  Differences are a part of normal life, and we’re all entitled to our own opinions, no matter what others think.  By understanding we all have worth, and every idea is valuable, we can be cooperative and supportive despite disagreement.  We have so much to offer and being kind and welcoming will help us bring great light to the world. 

Today if you’re dismissing someone because their ideas don’t make sense to you, stop and think again.  Different viewpoints bring great depth and richness to our experience.  Step forward and listen to every viewpoint.  Everyone has a unique gift to offer.  Honor differences even when you don’t like them, and be open to everyone. You are such a great blessing to the world.  Give us your best, and we’ll all succeed. 

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