Tag Archives: Manipulate

Seeds

22 Aug

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” Indian Proverb

When we’re planting a garden we decide what kinds of vegetables or flowers we want and purchase the seeds we need.  If we want eggplant we buy eggplant seeds and if we want petunias we buy those.  We completely understand we cannot buy pansy seeds and expect to grow petunias.  It’s obvious we need to buy the exact seeds for the result we’re seeking.  Our lives work the same way.  Whatever we do brings a corresponding result.  If we are kind, chances are others will be kind to us in return.  If we are moody and angry, we will generally get a different response.  And if we are dishonest and manipulative, our lives will often bring a harvest of disharmony and distrust.  Everything has a payoff and those payoffs are directly related to what we extend.  Everything we do is like planting a seed.  The returns we get depend on the seeds we plant.  If we are aware and pro-active in our choices, we will get the harvest we want.

It’s easy to plow through our lives without paying attention.  We can let little annoyances become part of our outward expressions and pay no attention to how our behavior impacts those around us.  If we’re having a bad day we can be grumpy and moody and let everyone else know.  But sharing our bad mood with others will do nothing to make us feel better and may have a negative impact on the lives of those around us.  We can plant the seeds of frustration and unhappiness and they will grow.  Or we can remember that our bad day is just a passage and we can keep our unhappiness to ourselves.  We don’t have to be secretive or hide out, but we can smile at those around us even when we don’t feel our best and project a positive outlook even when things aren’t going our way.  We can plant seeds of harmony even when we aren’t feeling our best.

Everything we do today will have an impact on what comes to us tomorrow.  Just like planting seeds in our garden, everything we do will bring us a corresponding response.  If we are dishonest in our dealings with others we may get away with it for a time but eventually we will lose the trust of those around us and our lives will be impacted.  If we manipulate situations to gain what we want regardless of how it affects others we may lose valuable associations and relationships as a result.  The law of the harvest is immutable.  We will reap what we sow.  What we do will always bring a corresponding reaction. There is no way to avoid it.  We may get away with planting discord for a time but eventually the plant will grow and we’ll be accountable for the harvest.  We can pay attention and choose our seeds carefully.  We can have happy and productive lives filled with reward and fulfillment if we plant the seeds that will bring them.

Today be sure the things you do and say will bring you the results you’re seeking.  Remember you’re planting seeds with everything you do.  Choose carefully and plant a garden that will bring you the rewards you want most.

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Not Joining In

30 Nov

Although we try to associate with friends who respect us, and people we can trust, there are unfortunately times when we may find ourselves in the company of those who are neither respectful nor trustworthy. Perhaps they lie, manipulate, cheat, or do other things to hurt us and make us doubt our worth. It’s not easy to have interactions like those and if we do, we may be intensely angry or feel emotionally destroyed. We may struggle with unbelief, especially if we thought we were valued. But if those that hurt us don’t really care, when we learn the truth, we can be devastated and lost. “How could we be so blind?” we may ask. We wonder how we could have missed the signs that must have been there. Sadly, people who don’t really care may be so adept at hiding their true nature, it may have been impossible to know the truth until it was too late. But no matter how long it takes, eventually the truth comes out. And when it does we may feel like fools, and have no idea what to do next.

There is an old saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” If we believe this, we might feel justified in taking revenge, and finding a way to hurt those who’ve hurt us as badly as we can. We may feel it’s fair to make them miserable and do everything possible to destroy them. It’s certainly one way to cope with the pain, but joining them in their hateful behavior will not help us. It seems like it will, but all it will do is add personal disappointment to the pain. It’ll be a “two fer.” We’ll get to suffer from their actions, and then feel worse from our own. And that isn’t in our best interest. It might make us feel better in the short run, but in the end it’ll just make things worse. If we’re already devastated, making things worse will never help.

Although those who have acted badly, who have hurt us on purpose, or who have manipulated us, certainly deserve retribution, we don’t have to compromise our ideals to make sure they get it. We must remember that our lives belong to us, and we are in control of our decisions. If we lower our standards and become as viscous as they are, we give control to them. If we react poorly instead of respond well, we will lose. And if we’ve been badly hurt, we’ve lost enough already. However, if we stay strong in our standards, and hold tight to our ethics, and instead reach for the noble path, we prevail. There is nothing that can diminish integrity and wisdom. There is nothing that can triumph over excellent judgment. It isn’t easy to hold fast to what is right when we’ve been wronged. It isn’t easy to look up when we’re hurt, but that is the only way to win. We don’t have to join in bad behavior to prove we are right. We can stand strong, choose virtue, and honor ourselves and our values. When we do that, we always win. Our personal respect stays intact and we overcome everything. We have the courage and the ability to choose well. We can handle anything that comes to us, and handle it with dignity and greatness.

Today if you’ve been hurt badly by someone you thought you could trust, remember who you are. You are good, and you will choose what is best. Stand strong for what you know is right, and be the very best you can be. Nothing can diminish you. Hold tight to the truth. You are so much better than this. Be brave, and make decisions that support the excellent person you are. Be confident. You are worth the best of everything.

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