Telling others how much you like them is an easy way to get the conversational ball rolling. But you could go overboard today, saying more than is necessary. Although sharing your feelings is admirable, exaggerating to make someone feel better is not such a good idea because it sets them up to be disappointed later on. There's no reason for hyperbole; keeping it real from the beginning saves you the effort of cleaning up after any unintentionally created drama. Don't lose your head when you speak from your heart.
It appears as if everyone is having a wonderful time as they go about their day. But you may be sitting on the sidelines today, feeling as if you are somehow left out of the fun. It's tempting to blame someone else for your sense of isolation, but you probably have more to do with it than you wish to admit. Rather than wallowing in negativity, set your sites on an adventure and invite others to join you. You'll forget about your previous loneliness once you're back in the game. Psychologist William James wrote, "If you can change your mind, you can change your life."
You see people's antics as cries to be noticed today. But you're not interested in giving recognition to those who complain without trying to improve their situation. Unfortunately, your harsh judgment only adds more tension to the mix. Thankfully, you can put an abrupt end to the current downward spiral by replacing your disapproval with compassion. Instead of fighting fire with fire, try love. Aesop wrote, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
You're not sure why there's a gray cloud following you around today, but you could snap at someone you love. Oddly enough, you may not even be annoyed at that person; your feelings seem to come from out of the blue. Although your apology might be heartfelt, you cannot take back the words you said in a burst of emotion. Think twice before you say anything at all. Silence is your saving grace. Dr. Laurence J. Peter wrote, "Speak when you are angry, and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret."
You might think that burying your feelings will enable you to avoid an unpleasant encounter with someone today. Unfortunately, keeping your emotions silent only strengthens them, sending out signals that attract the very conflict you're trying to circumvent. Although it's counterintuitive, talking about your concerns can prevent trouble. Keep in mind that taking an adversarial approach is like asking for an argument. Author Vivian Greene wrote, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Giving your peers the benefit of the doubt is your only justifiable position today. If you hear an accusation about someone you admire, wait until you get their side of the story before you jump on the bandwagon of criticism. Handle the situation with the same level of respect you expect from others. Let your companions know you're not a fair-weather friend. Supporting those you love demonstrates your loyalty. Dave Willis wrote, "Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already."
A close friend or partner may be so effusive today about their feelings that you are uncertain whether you can trust them. Your initial reaction might be to step back until you gain more clarity about the situation. But your retreat could stimulate feelings of abandonment in the other person now. Rather than avoiding your discomfort with emotional confrontation, share your concerns and negotiate a path you both can follow. Stephen Covey wrote, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood."
You have a clear idea of how you want your future to unfold and who you want to be a part of it. You're more than willing to work with someone to bring out their undeveloped potential. Fortunately, taking time to nurture others today reaps immediate rewards. It's as if you possess the power to see capabilities that are still locked away. Relying on words to convey your support is fine, but conversation isn't enough. Put your altruistic intentions into motion. Author Regina Brett wrote, "When in doubt, take the next step."
Managing your indulgences could be tricky today, since it's nearly impossible to see where enough becomes too much. Establishing limits is helpful, but you must be committed to sticking with the decisions you make. The problem is the line between acceptable and unacceptable is more difficult to discern the closer you get to it. Heeding the advice of someone you trust can help you sharpen your judgment. Hippocrates wrote, "Everything in excess is opposed by nature."
Your patience is nowhere to be found if someone becomes overly clingy today. Unfortunately, your strong rebuke might trigger the opposite effect of your intention, causing the other person to become even more insistent. Rather than playing this game of emotional hide-and-seek, add a clear message to the situation by expressing your current need for space. But be careful not to start a discussion; you are making a declaration rather than inviting dialogue. Novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, "Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind."
A straightforward approach to communication can save endless hours of reconstructing conversations to discover where you went wrong. The more you ramble on to get your message across, the greater the chance of being misunderstood. Wasting words is wasting time now. Consider what you need and ask for help as necessary. You might be happily surprised with the results as long as you know when to stop talking and when to start listening. Children's author Joan Aiken wrote, "Words are like spices. Too many is worse than too few."
Possessing self-confidence is an important ingredient in the recipe for success. However, absolute certainty is dangerous because it allows you to miss potential pitfalls along the way. Blind optimism encourages you to say yes before you thoroughly evaluate the opportunity. Maintaining a neutral perspective requires extra diligence today. Mark Twain said, "An open mind leaves a chance for someone to drop a worthwhile thought in it."
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