Tag Archives: Pressure

Boomerang

3 Apr

We go through all kinds of experiences and changes as we navigate through our lives. Each day brings us new lessons that teach us and give us tools for success. Our understanding of life deepens as we experience many different situations and scenarios, and we decide what we want as we move forward. Sometimes we progress exactly as planned and move continually ahead toward our goals. But other times things happen that turn us back around into a situation we thought we had left behind. Something happens that reels us back in and before we know it we find ourselves back at the beginning where we don’t want to be. People are complex and sometimes we make decisions that take us off the road leading forward and loop us back to where we’ve been. Even if we want to change our lives, the pull to return can be great. It’s possible to go back and revisit situations from our past and still continue moving forward, but if we cling to them it will be more difficult to head to the future. We don’t have to sever our connections to where we’ve been but if we want to find success moving forward we can’t hold onto situations that keep us in place. We know what we want and are capable of every success we desire. No dream is out of reach. If we find ourselves stepping back we can step forward again. The road ahead is always there for us and we can achieve any goal we desire.

We are responsible for the lives we live. If we’re unhappy, frustrated, or unfulfilled, it’s up to us to change the situation. We deserve complete happiness but we are the ones responsible for bringing it into our lives. If we want to change we can. There may be pressure from those around us to keep things the same, we may be afraid to alter our course because we don’t know what will happen, or we may be lazy and decide we can deal with things as they are. But there are unlimited possibilities around us and we can do anything we really want to do. We can choose the path that will take us exactly where we want to go and find complete contentment knowing we are in control of our future.

It’s easy to stay in a routine, even if it’s not what we want. We know where we are and what to expect. We may step away for a moment, but if we aren’t committed to change we may be quickly pulled back. We are in charge of our lives and nothing is strong enough to hold us down when we want to move forward. We can do anything we desire and no destination is too far to reach. We can step away from situations we don’t want and open all the doors ahead. Our lives belong to us and we can design them any way we choose.

Today if you find yourself looping back to what you left behind and want to continue forward, be confident and turn around. The whole world is there for you and anything is possible. Let go of anything that holds you in place and move ahead. You are strong and capable and nothing will keep you from success. Step forward. The future is there for you and you will reach it.

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Resolve

15 May

We make millions of decisions as we go through our lives.  When we have a big decision to make we may take our time to consider all the parameters of what will happen when we choose and give ourselves lots of space to think about which way we want to go.  We can take all the time we need, but sometimes as we’re moving along suddenly we know what we want to do.  We’ve passed a turning point and are suddenly and completely sure and firmly resolved on the way forward.  We may not know what turned the tide that brought the decision, we may not be aware of what happened or didn’t happen that decided the way forward but we are sure and unshakable in our conviction.  Suddenly the task is done and we are confident of where we want to go and what we want to do.  When that happens all our doubts fade quickly away and the road ahead becomes clear.  It’s very rewarding when we are sure of ourselves.  Others may still have concerns but if we’re confident they will mean nothing.  We know clearly what we want to do, we know with assurance where we want to go and nothing can change our minds.  Once the decision is made all that remains is to move forward toward the destination.

There are many roads and countless directions in our lives.  Some will say go one way, others will say go another.  There are influences and pressures on us all the time from those who care about us, those who want us to succeed and others who may want something else.  Like static on a radio the noise can be constant and distracting.  When we need to decide something important that static may get louder as others give us their opinions and advice, requested or volunteered.  We may become overwhelmed with all the information offered and get stuck trying to find the right way through.  If we take a step back and close the door for a time, if we allow ourselves to be quiet and listen to our own personal thoughts, all the inspiration and clarity we need will rise.  We already know what we want to do.  If we take a moment to let our minds rest the confidence we are seeking will come.

We are very intelligent and insightful about what we really want and need.  We know ourselves better than anyone else ever could.  We know where we want to go and we know what we need to get there.  Trusting our personal direction and judgment and allowing ourselves time to think and consider our options will allow us to choose the right road going forward.  We can suddenly be sure even if we’ve been confused for a time.  We can suddenly be confident even if we’ve been tremulous.  We have everything we need to succeed already.  Trusting our excellent ability to make good choices and then doing what is needed to make the destination come to us will bring us all the success we seek.

Today if you’ve suddenly decided you know the way forward and you are sure even if others doubt, trust in yourself.  You have everything you need to succeed.  Be confident.  There isn’t anything you can’t do.  You know what you want, you know what you need and you know where you want to go.

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Finding David

28 Apr

We’ve probably all heard the story of David and Goliath. David was a normal sized man who came up against Goliath, a mean and vicious giant. Goliath tried to kill David and if were only a matter of size and strength would have succeeded. But David was skilled with a slingshot and in the midst of being pursued, sent a rock sailing through the air that hit Goliath in the head and killed him. When we think about this story we may marvel at David’s ability to keep his wits about him while being chased by a murdering giant, and being able to steady himself enough to make the shot that saved his life. While it’s unlikely we will ever be in the same sort of circumstance, we may face times in our lives when we feel we are being pursued or overtaken by something far bigger than we are that is threatening and making us afraid and unsure. It might a person who has power over us or a situation we can’t control. Whatever the threat, we may feel it’s too big for us to overcome. No matter what the issue or how powerful the other players are, we always have choices about what we will do. We can run and hide if we decide the fight is too strong but hiding from our problems will never solve them. We can pretend the issue isn’t a big deal and look the other way, but ignoring issues doesn’t solve them either. In the end, the only way to address whatever is disturbing our peace is to face it head on. Like David, we have to stop and turn around, and look right at the head of the problem. There isn’t any issue too hard for us to face and solve. We have enough courage and wisdom to manage anything that comes. We can find the David within us, face our problems, consider our options and find the way forward that brings us success.

There are some people who want to control others and situations. They need to have the final say, they demand their way be honored and they want to be in charge of where things are going. When we must work with them we may find it hard to be heard and if we push against them, they may aggressively constrict our efforts and exert pressure upon us. If we strongly believe in our views we may struggle with them before decisions are reached. Although it may be uncomfortable to disagree, our opinions are valuable and we deserve to be heard. We can state our case and press for what is important. We have all the strength and courage we need to proceed and win.

We may face a painful situation where we have little or no control over the outcome. If there is nothing we can do to mitigate the problem we may need to simply endure. It’s hard to wait through hard times when we have no control. But even as we wait we can exercise the courage to be still, and the wisdom to listen. If our only option is to endure well, we can still choose the best course forward and succeed.

Today if you’re facing a threatening situation and you feel apprehensive, find the David within you. You have all the courage you need to face anything you must. Reach for it and be strong. You are secure and capable. Look ahead, aim high, and push forward. There is nothing too big for you to overcome.

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Redefining

6 Oct

We all have ideas about what success looks like. For some it’s how much we earn, what we look like, or what goals we accomplish. Everyone has a different idea and how we see our personal success often defines how we see ourselves. If we haven’t reached a level we want to achieve we may be discouraged. If we haven’t moved our careers forward like we thought we would or haven’t gotten the praise we think we deserve we can feel like we’re failing. Although success is a personal description of what we want and where we want to go it is often influenced by the ideas held by others. If those around us see it only one way and we haven’t reached that level, we may be discouraged. If we don’t meet their standards and they are important to us, we may feel like failures. It really doesn’t matter how anyone determines what success is but us. If our idea of success if that we manage to get our tasks done every day and don’t lose our temper and we accomplish that, we are successful. We decide what our personal success looks like and we determine how we’ll achieve it. We can redefine what others call it and make it unique to ourselves.

We all have different experiences in life and as a result have unique perspectives about things. What one sees as moving forward, another may see as taking a step back. If we’re focused on non-profit work our motivation may not be to make more money. On the other hand, if we’re driven to be financially independent our income level will mean a lot. The interpretations of how to live our lives depend on who we are and what we want. Our personal choices determine what’s best for us and our personal ideas of success may be very different from the ideas of those around us. We are entitled to define our lives any way we choose and will find happiness from making our personal dreams come true.

The pressures of the world may make us believe our choices aren’t good enough or valiant enough and any number of other ideas. But that doesn’t matter. We have a gift to offer that nobody else can offer. What we do is up to us and we can define success our own way. Maybe we define it by being very patient, or by serving our community, or by practicing the piano every day, or by helping a student with homework. Or maybe we define it by how much money we make or how many people we help. However, we define it we can achieve it. The world has all kinds of ideas about success but we don’t have to adopt them. We can redefine it specifically for us and find great joy in being exactly who we are and achieving what is most important to us. Our lives belong to us and what we do with them is our choice.

Today if you feel pressure to succeed based on someone else’s idea of what that is you can choose your own path. You know what you want and you know how to get it. Be exactly who you are and define success your way. You are a gift to the world and we’re all blessed because you’re here. Your success is defined by you and you will achieve it.

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Intentions

1 Mar

There are a lot of things we all want to do in our lives. We accomplish some of them, we plan for some of them, and we let some of them go as we change. Sometimes we intend to do certain things but for reasons we didn’t plan on, can’t explain, or don’t want to explore we don’t do them. They say, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Good intentions are things we plan to do that will benefit us or others in some way. There is nothing wrong with having good intentions, and when we say we’ll do something most of the time we sincerely intend to do it. But there are times when because of pressure from others, or situations we aren’t quite ready to face, we might agree to something or promise something we know we’ll never actually do. Perhaps we agree because something important depends on it and we don’t want to lose that, or it will get everyone to stop asking. Or maybe we go along because it’s important to someone we love, and although we really have no intention of following through, it will buy us the time we think we need to get what we want. The road to hell is what we end up on when we continually break our word, and don’t follow through on what we’ve said we’d do. Others stop trusting us, and we lose credibility with those we care most about. If we continue doing this, we may even lose our relationships with them.

What we say is important. It gives others a view of who we could be but not necessarily who we are. Who we really are isn’t what we say, but what we actually do. Talking only goes so far and doesn’t make anything happen. If all we do is talk about what we want, and how we feel, but do nothing, and make promises we never intend to keep, eventually nobody will believe anything we say. All the beautiful words in the world don’t mean anything unless we follow them up with action. If we say we love someone but do nothing to show that love, never see them, don’t spend time with them, and are never available for them, all our professions of love, no matter how tender and beautiful, mean nothing. Our actions tell the real truth.

There are a lot of reasons why we sometimes say things and don’t follow through. Our lives are complicated, our relationships can be complicated too, and if we feel pressure to be a certain way or do certain things, even if we don’t want to, we may agree. But
when we say we’ll do something and then don’t do it, we are responsible for that decision. It may be easier to go along in the beginning, but it makes us dishonest with those around us in the end. We need to be honest in all our decisions, and we have sufficient courage to do that. We are entitled to our personal choices even if they are different than what those close to us want us to do. Our lives belong to us and we own every decision we make. We can do things our way with confidence and we can honestly say no when we need to. We can choose to live our lives with integrity and truth. When we do, we’ll step off the road to hell and onto the road to happiness. And being on the road to happiness is the best place to be.

Today if you’ve been saying you’ll do something to keep the peace or get what you want, but have no intention of following through, choose to be honest. Clear the deception and be truthful about what you want and what you’ll do. You have everything you need to be the best you can be. Today choose well. You’ll feel better and those around you will appreciate your integrity.

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