Are You A Compromiser?

barking dogs

behind the fence

stalemate

Throughout life, we have many challenges. One such challenge is our interaction with other people. How we treat them will have a big impact on our future relations with others. Like it or not, we can not always get what we want - at least not directly. Yet, if we take the time to reason and compromise with the other person, our chances of success increase.

If we are to compromise with others, we must understand two things:

1. Understanding the other person's point of view.
2. Being flexible and willing to meet the other person halfway.

These two things are essential in compromising with others. Reflect on this knowledge, and practice it on people that you encounter during the day.

Stop being in stalemate situations. Compromise with people, and you will find yourself emerging from behind the fence.

How Risky Are You?

stormy sea

a gambit

on the chessboard

As we go about our lives, we must be aware of the risks. Risks are the seas of chance, where we can sink or swim on one decision. To have a safe voyage and reach port, we must be aware of the dangers on the way. Many problems lurk deep within the depths. Without a plan to guide us, we increase our chances of encountering danger.

If you want to go on risky adventures on the sea, you must be aware of two things:

1. Do not let fear paralyze you from making important decisions.
2.  Reduce the odds of a bad outcome by planning your risks in advance. This will help control the stormy, spur of the moment decisions that are often disastrous.

Not all risks are bad, of course. Many of them are positive and life-changing. There is something exciting about risking something for a chance of a better life. A healthy dose of ambition, combined with good common sense, will often be enough for success.

A well-thought-out voyage with calculated risks has a high chance of reaching port. Apply these two techniques whenever you are about to go on a voyage. Your ship is in port, and your crew awaits your orders. Are you ready to sail to success?

Beautiful Bumblebee

under the sky

a field of flowers

one bumblebee

We live in a world of flowers. There are so many different colors, sizes, and shapes. This wonderful diversity applies to life in general. Diversity is what makes the world so rich and interesting. Different ideas, different customs, different lands, all add to a wonderful way of looking at the world. The world is a better place because of this.

The bumblebee represents the power of the individual. We may live in a "field of flowers" under the sky, but our voices and opinions matter too. Every one of us is unique, with special gifts: some may be athletic, some may be good at mathematics, some may be endowed with musical talent. Whatever that gift is, it is important to discover and cultivate it. Throughout all the ages of humanity, no one will ever again see the world exactly as you do. You are unique, a diamond among rocks.

Learn to appreciate yourself as a person. Your voice and actions matter, and will give your life a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Do not be afraid to be a bumblebee among the flowers. Fly high. 

The Iron Of Your Will

a broken sword

lies scattered on a field

holding the hilt

I wonder why the steel

is shining in the dust

Throughout life, we are faced with numerous challenges and difficulties. They often spring at us unannounced, when we least expect them. If we are not careful, they can easily overwhelm us, leaving us defeated and exhausted.

How then, can we counter this? How do we confront the problems of life? The answer is to believe in yourself, to forge an iron will. Like a diamond, your will must be strong to resist the blows that come at you. Life is like a war, and to survive, you must keep getting up from the ground when you are struck down. Though your goals (the sword) may be shattered and broken, that does not mean you must give up. No, you pick yourself up from the ground and reforge that blade (your goals) into something stronger. Like tempered steel, the more you are struck down, the more you will be able to handle the pain of temporary defeat. Defeat can never conquer you unless you agree and give in. Fight, always fight, for your dreams and believe in yourself. Cultivate an iron will.

The Apple Of Your Eye

I wander the wide world,

Hoping to find some gold;

But all I see,

Is an apple tree,

By the ruins of an old road.

Sometimes the things we seek turn out to be detrimental to our growth. In our desires for gold, we fly down a false path, where our hunger consumes us. The more we take, the more we want. Such greed only leads to disappointment and destruction.

How can we avoid such a fate? By concentrating on the internals rather than the externals of the world. Look deep within yourself, and focus on a trait that needs development. Strive to improve yourself in this area. Make it a daily habit. With practice and determination, you will grow and conquer this limitation that holds you back. The power is within you. Be the apple of your eye. 

Are You A Sheep?

grazing sheep

in a meadow

one shepherd

Throughout our childhood, we are pressured to conform. We must obey our parents and teachers; rules must be followed without complaint. Even among children of our own age, we are pressured to fit in. For if we do not, bullying is likely to occur. It is this conformity to society's rules that leaves us wondering what to do. In our effort to blend in and be part of the group, we lose something of ourselves in the process. We do not feel whole.

What can we do to take back that missing part of our lives? We can do this by recognizing our individuality, our uniqueness in the world. We all have special gifts that set us apart from other people. Our goal is to discover what these gifts are and apply them to our lives. By doing this, we learn to value ourselves, and we become more confident, happier people.

Do not be a sheep that wanders aimlessly in life, always trying to fit in and please others. Instead, be a shepherd that takes pride in their unique talents. You are special, and the world needs a person like you. 

Sweet Sunflowers

sunflowers

in a meadow

sunshine

One morning, on a summer day, I wandered through a meadow. The robins greeted me with their sweet song as the sun awoke from her slumber. She climbed the stairs of the sky and smiled upon the land with rays of golden sunshine. I closed my eyes to better feel the warm, tingling caress that raced up and down my arms. Sighing, I breathed deeply of the morning air. A crisp coolness invaded my nostrils, a flowery perfume that made my head whirl with delirious delight. Smiling, I knew then, that nature's gifts were great indeed.

A Swan's Tale

a swan

on the lake

spring dawn

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what is outer beauty compared to the beauty within you? Looks will fade over time, but you have a lifetime to perfect the person inside you. And this is a worthy goal that everyone should strive for. But what is inner beauty? How do we go about discovering it?

Inner beauty is nothing more than your morals and character. It is developed by good conduct and good habits. It is self-control. When others give in to their desires at every whim, a person with good character would resist these efforts if it would violate their moral code. Self-control and will power are the fundamental steps needed to become a person of great inner beauty. A love of learning and compassion for others is also required. Taken together, these four traits are the "pillars" of the temple of your character. They will hold you up as you become a more skilled student of inner beauty.

Do not be fooled by the vain delights of the flesh. Outer beauty will disappear with time, but inner beauty will last a lifetime with proper care and study. Be a person of inner beauty. Love yourself for who you are, and grow as a person. Transform yourself into a swan.

Delightful Dreams

As I wandered by the river bank, one summer day, my eyes fell on golden koi swimming in a pond. Their scales glittered like gold in the noonday sun. I sat down and watched them swim. They circled in the water, swimming in great circles as they hunted for food. Their whole being was infused with energy, with life. And I smiled when I saw this. I closed my eyes and dreamed.

golden koi

swim in a pond

of clear water

watching them

my mind races

back to spring days

Are You Planting Seeds?

planting seeds

dark clouds

in the distance

Life is like a storm. At any time it can strike. In order to be prepared, we must plant seeds. These seeds are called thinking and planning. They go hand in hand and are your best seeds in the garden of life. Without them, we are at the mercy of the storm, unable to do anything to protect ourselves. Lighting strikes and we are struck - disaster occurs.

We can prevent the storms of life by thinking ahead and planning. As much as possible, try to plan the daily activities in your life. A simple schedule can bring order to a chaotic existence. With planning, we can anticipate when these storms strike and keep the damage to a minimum. Thinking and planning will protect us.

Do not let the storms of life ruin you. Plant the seeds of thinking and planning in your daily life and watch them grow into fruits of fortune.

Is Life Biting You?

red sun

mosquito bites

on my skin

I tread the path

of Dante Alighieri

In life, we are often beset with troubles. They come out of the sky unexpected, to take us by surprise. While we cannot always avoid them, we can reduce their impact by staying calm.

Patience has always been a prized virtue. The Merriam-Webster definition for patience is "the ability to remain calm and not become annoyed when dealing with problems or with difficult people." This is a valuable insight that can help a person develop the traits needed to become more patient in life.

But how do you become more patient? The answer is to emulate the laws of nature. Just as the seasons have their own course and schedule, so should the things in your life. Everything should be done in due time and in its proper setting. By doing this you will begin to see the natural flow of things. Instead of fighting and forcing your way up a strong current, just go with the flow and let things happen as they should.

Another way to become more patient is to take timeouts. Whenever your feeling stressed, walk away from the problem and take deep breaths. Do not panic, but instead let peace and calmness flow through your body. Closing your eyes and taking slow deep breaths will force your body and emotions to relax. Once you feel calm and in control, you can then return to the problem and solve it in a rational manner. This strategy will reduce the wild emotions from a sudden crisis and help you think more strategically. You will find yourself able to handle the problems that come up in your life.

Patience is your friend. Train yourself to be a calm and collected person. Practice these strategies daily, and you will become a better and wiser person in the process.

The Sea Of Life

sailing

on the sea

sunrise

Life is full of opportunities. But many of us are afraid to take a chance. We are like sailors on a sinking ship in a storm. We would rather go down with the ship than plunge into the sea in search of opportunity.

There are many reasons for this. The greatest is fear. We fear to do something new, to have a different experience from the one we currently have. In our minds, we imagine even greater horrors than our present miseries. We then freeze up and sink into deep gloom. Our negativity has defeated us.

The greatest challenge for all us is to believe in ourselves. We must not let the fear of failure prevent us from taking new challenges and experiencing new things. In each of us is a desire to dream. To dream of better things and a better life. This is well within our power if we only place trust in ourselves. Our lives are like boats on a great sea. There will be storms, and there will be periods of calm sailing. Our goal is to avoid the storms or pass through them as quickly as possible. In our minds should be the next port of call, a goldmine of delight for the adventurous sailors of life.

Take chances in your life. Look upon new opportunities as a blessing, a chance for you to improve yourself in the stormy seas of life. With belief as your sail, the port of your dreams will soon be in sight.