ideas

I went to the supermarket today. When I returned to my car and packed the groceries away in the trunk I saw a car turning down my row (wrong direction). Another driver was pulling out of a parking space and heading toward the wrong direction car. Both cars were facing each other ten feet apart, neither one moving. Finally, the car going the wrong way squeezed between the car going the right way and the parked cars. One was there first, one was in the right. This is how most arguments start and usually head down the wrong path. What if both drivers considered alternatives? The right driver could have pulled back into the vacated parking space. The wrong way driver could have carefully backed up. Sometimes, it’s important to put our pride on the shelf and add a bit of humility. Life would be a lot easier.

Contemplating a change? Weighing the pros and cons? There is no perfect answer. The lack of assurance shouldn’t stop us from casting off all tethering lines and stepping out into the unknown. It is my believe that once we cast off any ties to what we are leaving and step boldly toward our change that things being to fall in place and the change works out. Take no half steps, use  no safety nets. You can do this.

We seldom get everything we dream about; however, if we don’t dream, our basket will likely be empty. Dream on. Dare to try and fail and try again. You might surprise yourself and pick a beautiful dream off the tree of life.

The country-western singer, Waylon Jennings, said, “Life is too short to hang with cats who can’t play.” The same can be said of hanging with people who are always angry or think only about themselves. Choose to hang with people who enjoy life, enjoy people, and will lift your spirits on even the darkest day.

There are times when we bite off more than we can chew. We don’t have many choices when that happens. We can give up, cry for help, or dig down deep and figure it out. In my experience, we grow more by digging down deep and figuring it out. It’s not easy, there will be stumbles, but they’ll give way to dogged persistence and a non-quit attitude. 

There are always consequences for our actions. The consequences may be good or bad. Some consequences are immediately known and others silently wait their turn to strike. The more we are aware of our actions and their consequences, the more we can choose good consequences and build a meaningful and happy life.

We walk in the darkness. There’s bad news abounding. Turn on your light. Light up the darkness. Let others know that it will be okay. Let them know that tomorrow will be better than today. I think I can see your light already shining!!

There’s comfort in settling into a routine where each day is a copy of the previous day. The comfortable place is nice, but it does not promote growth. If we’re to grow we need to be challenged. We need to learn from trials. We need to test ourselves against whatever life tosses at us.

Resiliency is like a bouncing rubber ball. Toss it down, it bounces up. In the same way, when we take a hit, dust it off, get up, and get going. Resiliency is a mark of people who survive and thrive in all types of situations.