Tag Archives: Lift

Light and Darkness

24 Feb

There is a lot of contention in the world these days and we may feel a lot of concern about what’s happening. There are wars, and rumors of wars, trouble with governments, problems with schools, and high prices that may be making us jittery and unhappy. These are treacherous times and we may worry about what will happen next. It’s hard to feel comfortable when we feel like there’s a lot going wrong. The world is a big place filled with all kinds of different people, different ideas, and choices. When there are differences, as there always are, things can get complicated in a hurry. It’s difficult to navigate complex and unpredictable times, and we can’t control what our neighbors do, what our leaders do or anyone else, and if their choices affect us negatively we may feel angry and upset. It’s hard to be happy when we feel beset by trouble. There is no way to know what will happen next, and we may worry about our safety and our future. It hard to look ahead when we feel overwhelmed and unsettled, but we have complete control over our own lives. No matter what’s going on, peace is always possible. When there’s a lot going wrong and we feel stressed, we can find respite by choosing to be kind and considerate to those around us. Simply saying “Hello” or offering a smile to those we pass, we will not only lift them, but we will lift ourselves. Worry will change nothing. By looking up and choosing to be happy, despite our circumstance, we can step forward with confidence. We are wise and more powerful than we imagine. By choosing to find joy in whatever situation presents itself, we will discover great happiness and peace.

Roses are beautiful flowers. They smell as good as they look and bring pleasure and beauty to the world. But just below the lovely blossoms, there are very sharp and strong thorns, and if we aren’t careful, we may get cut when we handle them. Life is a lot like that. There are great experiences possible and we will all have precious days filled with happiness. We will also have days filled with sorrow and grief. Nothing is perfect and there is good and bad in every situation. We can focus on everything that has and may still go wrong, and fill our minds with worry and anxiety. Or we can focus on what works, and is beautiful and open happiness and joy. By choosing to see the light in the darkness, we will feel great peace as we move forward.

Sometimes the road turns and we get tangled up in trouble and distress, and we may feel overcome and upset.  Hard times will come to us all but nothing is permanent and in time whatever we’re experiencing will change. The clouds will clear, the darkness will lift and there will be light ahead. By trusting ourselves when we’re facing very difficult and challenging times, we can be sure of success and find our way forward. We are intelligent and capable, and nothing is powerful enough to hold us down forever.

Today if you’re worried and concerned about what’s happening around you, stand still and look at everything openly and objectively. There will always be a way forward, and all the answers you need to find it are there for you. Be confident and trust yourself. There is greatness inside you and nothing can keep you from success. Look up and step forward. Nothing is out of reach and you will prevail.

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Helping Out

15 Nov

Sometimes those near us, those we care about or love, or friends in our circle ask for our help. Most of us want to be helpful and do what we can when asked. If we consistently offer our help we can learn a lot and build our relationships. But sometimes our helpful nature can backfire when someone abuses our kindness. If someone we know makes a habit of asking for our assistance, not only in areas where real help is needed, but when they want us to cover their personal responsibilities, it can become difficult. We may find ourselves in a situation where instead of helping them we end up enabling them to sidestep their responsibilities and push them off on us. When that happens, we may be helping now but in the end if we do things they need to do for themselves, they lose the opportunity to grow and may become dependent on us. If we let others do our work for us, even when we’re capable of doing it ourselves, we miss out on the chance to grow and learn.

Habits are funny things. They form sometimes without us being aware. We do something once, then we do it again, and again, and before we realize it we may do it on a regular basis without noticing. For instance, if we have a neighbor close by and we stop to chat, we may offer to help with a project they are working on. Another day if we see them we may offer to help again. Soon every time we talk to them they may have tasks prepared for us ready to hand off. And if that continues, our helpful nature may become a burden for us and a crutch for them. It’s good to help others but when our help turns into expectation we may feel encumbered and obligated to do more than we should. We can recognize when our offer to help becomes a hindrance and we can change things so we aren’t just doing tasks but instead helping others figure out what they can do themselves. We can politely offer to help them accomplish any task they want to assign to us. We can do it together and enable them to be confident enough to accomplish it.

There is an old saying that many hands make light work. If we all work together whatever we are trying to accomplish generally goes more easily. It’s easier to lift something heavy as a group than it is alone. Helping one another allows us to serve and learn how to give. It’s noble to offer our assistance and we gain as much in the process as those we’re aiding. We can help in ways that allow everyone to learn and don’t undermine personal growth. We can find the limits between truly helping and enabling. The world needs those willing to serve and serve well. We have so much to give and with careful consideration can make sure out gift of service does as much good as possible.

Today if you’ve been helping someone and see that things have changed and you are doing too much, take a step back. Continue to offer your assistance but allow them to work alongside you and support them as they find their confidence. Show the way to success and let them take the lead. Help them find the road on their own. You are noble and kind to help and others will learn so much from your guidance.

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Full Stop

29 Sep

Recently there was a story in the news about a young fast food worker who did something extraordinary.  During the dinner rush, a man came into the restaurant that was paralyzed and in a wheelchair.  After placing his order, he told the worker he needed help cutting his food up and eating it.  The worker got the man’s food, immediately closed out his register, and walked him to a table where he sat with him, cut his food for him, and helped him eat his meal.  Despite being busy, he saw a need and instead of brushing it off, he stopped everything to help.  It was a stunning example of compassion and generosity, and it was humbling for those around them to see the worker’s example.

Sometimes in order to help out, we have to bring our personal lives to a full stop.  We have to take our eyes off ourselves and our personal goals, and look another way.  We have to see those around us, notice what’s happening, and assist when we can.  Unlike the patron at the restaurant, the person in need may not ask us for help.  They may independently try to struggle through on their own.  But that shouldn’t stop us from offering.  If we see someone trying hard, struggling to do something, we can jump in, smile and offer a helping hand.  Everyone appreciates the kindness that comes when someone offers to help.  We all have a lot to get done, and some things are hard for all of us.  If we can extend ourselves in some small way to help someone else, we will be greatly blessed.  We will have a better understanding of compassion, feel humble for the opportunity to serve, and happy we extended ourselves.

Every day we have an opportunity to serve those around us.  Of course, if we choose to we can ignore the needs of others, and continue on our course.  Nobody would blame us for getting our jobs done and being focused on our personal goals.  But if we stopped to help and offered our time when the opportunity arose, and tried to assist and accommodate someone else, our experiences in this life would be enhanced and benefitted.  There is nothing that will teach us more about ourselves than when we are in the service of others.  We learn to be more patient, more kind, more gracious, and we become more noble.  It’s great to be successful in our goals, but it’s even better to be successful as people.  And we achieve no greater success than when we help someone else.

Today if you see someone in need, someone struggling alone, stop for a moment and offer your help.  Lift them by giving your assistance and showing you care.  You have great generosity inside you.  Share it with those around you.  Offer your hand, offer your time, and enjoy the gratitude you feel for the opportunity to help.  Make someone’s day easier and your day will be brighter and happier.

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