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Have You Voted Today
Huh? You're probably wondering when this article was written, and probably thinking that this article is about a recent election. Well, it is and, it isn't. Webster's Dictionary defines voting, in part, as choosing or deciding. In that respect, you likely make choices and decide many things in the course of a day?which means you have probably voted several times today! OK, so now what? Where am I going with this? Just because the most recent Election Day as come and gone does not mean that you longer have to consider voting. The great thing as a human being is the fact that you always get a vote - even when you don't think that what you have done has registered. Your votes - your choices and decisions - always register. They always affect someone, something, somewhere. Even it's just you in the moment you cast your vote, or when you choose not to. There is no greater power than the freedom we have to always choose. Sometimes it may not seem as though there is anything to choose. How often I used to say, "I don't have a choice!" Well, I may not have like my choices - which is a different story - but I always had options to choose from. I came to realize that my whole life I have voted, even many times when I didn't even realize that it was going to count. But everything I have ever done has been up for a vote - consciously or unconsciously. I started to realize that I could make more powerful decisions by making them, and making them consciously (oh, how I didn't want to sometimes!). However, I realized that without my conscious vote, I was still making choices, but often I was left feeling quite unhappy. When something isn't working, I now realize I have essentially 3 choices: - Stay with how things are All 3, every time. Looking at it that way, it makes it very difficult for me to use the "I don't have a choice!" statement ever again. Oh! Sorry, I should have warned you that was coming. After all, if you see validity in it for yourself, it will also make it difficult for you, as well. The good thing is, though, you are still safe if you want to choose to keep your "I don't have a choice" perspective intact! However, if you're open to the perspective, what do these choices mean? Let's start with one very important thing that they don't mean. They do not include an option to control a situation or to alter or change another person, their attitudes, or their perspective. What they do mean is that the solution to anything lies within you - and can only come from you. Yuck! I know, it really stunk for me what I realized that I had to stop looking outside of myself. After all, it'd be so much easier if the other person would just change, or see it my way, you know? Well, we all know how easy it is to "get" another person to change, right? I'll tell you a secret, though, one of these 3 options actually has a pretty good possibility of changing how another person acts. Can you guess which one? If you guess #1 or #3, maybe you have some insight for me. My answer, though, is #2. Can you guess why? When our perspective changes, we change. We act differently. When we act differently, those around us will likely react differently to what we do and say. Because we are not being the same as we've always been, they will likely not be, either. It was difficult to shift perspectives in the beginning?but it got easier over time, in part due to seeing the results. I had often heard if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. It's a great thing - as long as you like what you've got. It's your life, you can vote any which way you want to. Your votes will take you all kinds of places - places sometimes you may not even want to be. Consider that it's your votes that got you there in the first place, and it's your votes that can take you somewhere else. Don't like where you are? Vote again. In the process, also consider seeing situations and choices in terms of "different" and in the light of whether or not it works for you, does it get you what you want, rather than in terms of "good" or "bad." It will likely allow you to be much kinder to yourself and others, and make new choices easier to make. Sometimes it is necessary to get some outsider input. Just make certain that it's not someone who has a stake in your "needing to change." I got some news for you - contrary to what others may say - you never need to change one bit. You can choose (vote) to stay exactly as you are. Just make sure, though, that the person you are gets you the things you want and need. If that is not happening, you still don't need to change, but you may want to consider moving a few things around so you can have more of what you want, and be more of who you'd like to be. Remember that choice comes from within, and is not dictated by an outside source. Outside sources will appear to limit how far you can go, what you can do, what is possible. They can attempt to persuade you that they have the ability to restrict the world in which you live, but choice allows for creativity which has a magical effect on any situation. There is always SOMETHING you can do. The question isn't so much "what?" as "are you willing?" The world that appears around you is actually a creation of your outward expression that comes from that which is within you. Consider that your life, and what you experience, is not something that happens to you, but happens because of you. Your life is not up to a situation you find yourself in. It is not up to someone else. It is up to you, and each and every vote counts. ©2005 Essa Alraune. Essa has a varied, non-judgmental, and fun approach to the work she does as a StressBusterBuddy. She works primarily with individuals on a one-on-one basis, and is the Author and Publisher of a mindful meditation CD. To learn more about Essa, her CD, or to listen to her online recordings, visit http://www.StopKickingYourself.com/or call 212.560.7582 (where you can also hear a 3-minute Relieve Stress Recording - only local, toll, or long distance charges apply).
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news News Corp exec becomes chief of Germany's Premiere (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's chief financial officer for Europe and Asia has been named chief executive of German pay television group Premiere, following the resignation of Michael Boernicke, Premiere said on Wednesday. News Corporation to redevelop London Wapping site (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is to redevelop its Wapping site in London, moving all its UK businesses, including News International, Harper Collins, MySpace and Dow Jones, under one roof. UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (UPI) Chesney nominated for 7 CMAs ... Hoffman: I'm not playing Penguin ... 'RocknRolla' No. 1 at U.K. box office ... Jessica Simpson stops song on 'GMA' ... News from United Press International. DailyMe: News tailored to your individual tastes (The Christian Science Monitor) Column: Custom news websites come and go, but this one gets it right. Sarah Palin docu wins record ratings for Fox News (Reuters via Yahoo! News) In a week of records surrounding the Republican National Convention, Fox News Channel earned another one with its weekend documentary on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. MySpace ad business ahead of target: News Corp (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's (NWSa.N) MySpace advertising business is operating ahead of expectations and its digital ad business is performing better than the marketplace, the company's chief operating officer said on Tuesday. STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Erdemir shares fall on iron ore prices (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News) STOCKS NEWS Reuters Results diary News Buzz: Recreating the Big Bang, Gates Urges Slow Iraq Drawdown, Ike Gains Strength (US News & World Report) Top news from the Associated Press For consumers, good news down the line (Sun-Sentinel) Whether you buy a new iPod or not, there may be good news for you in Apple's release of new iPods on Tuesday . Fox News Vaults To Top Of Primetime Ratings (MultiChannel News) Who says no one watches political conventions? Fox News Channel?s coverage of GOP Presidential nominee John McCain?s Sept. 4 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention drew 9.2 million viewers, topping all other basic cable shows last week, according to Nielsen Media Research data. Site: news - Google News News Analysis A Difficult Road Awaits Panetta at the CIA - New York Times
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for inspirational Inspirational Experts in Fashion, Cuisine and Lifestyle to Share Tips and Trends at Orange County Head to Toe Women's ... (PRWeb) Southern California's premiere women's consumer show, the Head to Toe Women's Expo returns to OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., October 10, 11 and 12, 2008. Presented by Ralphs Grocery, the Head to Toe Women's Expo gives mothers, daughters, and girlfriends a chance to reconnect during a weekend of shopping, pampering, makeovers and inspirational speakers. Several experts, ... http://firepit-plans.com Introduces "The Fire Pit Planner Guide" a Comprehensive Inspirational Guide to Building ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) http://firepit-plans.com is a new site that offers a unique do-it-yourself inspirational plan to building fire pits, the guide offers tips and advice on operating and constructing fire pits in the outdoors, house garden or backyard. Reporter's Notebook (Dallas Morning News) Certain parts of Irving City Hall will soon be getting makeovers. Residents and visitors can expect to see inspirational quotes on walls and prominent displays of the city?s mission statement within a couple of months. Bob Walter: Iraq hero gets moving tribute in Elk Grove Park (The Sacramento Bee) For a hero: As if anybody could forget Joe Nurre of Wilton, a fitting and permanent memorial to the inspirational Elk Grove High School football captain is attracting plenty of attention in Elk Grove Park. Joe Nurre A plaque dedicates an Elk Grove barbecue area to Joe Nurre. MCC Honors 9/11 Victims and Families (R News) Monroe Community College hosted a special 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the Remembrance Walk on the Brighton campus. The hour long event included music, inspirational speeches, a moment of silence and flowers placed at the base of the 9/11 monument there. Local review: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' entertaining, educational (The Pantagraph) For a gripping evening of theater as educational as it is inspirational, ?Bill W. and Dr. Bob? at Heartland Theatre Company, can?t be beat. Steve Amerson to Sing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Convention (Christian News Wire) DENVER, Sept. 11 / Christian Newswire / -- Steve Amerson, well-known Inspirational music artist will be singing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Annual Convention, A Celebration of Honor, in Denver, Colorado at the "Patriots Award Gala" on Friday, September 19, 2008. Radio pirate suspect arrested in Wilton Manors apartment (Sun-Sentinel) When you tune into FM 103.9 in Broward County , you're supposed to hear a sermon by Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy or inspirational music from the likes of Mercy Me and Steven Curtis Chapman. Randolph Reads kicks off with celebration (Asheboro Courier-Tribune) ASHEBORO ? A Randolph County initiative to unite the community in reading and discussing an inspirational non-fiction book about a nearby town?s struggles with change is under way. Honor Text Helps Americans to Remember (WCAV Charlottesville) The clock strikes 9:11am and your phone beeps, but it?s not your average text message. Instead, it?s an Honor Text, a brief inspirational message about some of America?s service men and women. Site: inspirational - Google News » Inspirational drama anything but 'Broken' - Chicago Daily Herald
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