Today's Mantra

One of my favorite movies is Field if Dreams. Its famous quote was, "If you build it,they will come." Talk about blind faith! This man heard a voice guiding him to risk his family's livelihood by cutting down his crops to build a baseball field for famous dead baseball player ghosts. Did he know what he was doing? How could he be sure it would work or was even worth it? Without having those answers, he d coded too take control of his life and makes the decisions thatcwouldcshapebit, instead of waiting fortune and circumstances to take him hostage.

Approach today with the mindset that good things are going to happen for you! The best way to ensure that goal? MAKE it happen! You can start by being that positive energy in someone else's life first. You are capable of great things- it's time you did something with that.

Just Keep Peddling...

No one gets to their destination without making a few wrong turns, changing a flat tire here and there, or running out of has completely! Pursuing you dreams is not going to be easy. There will be times when you feel like giving up. You look around and don't see any solutionsand suddenly, people who you relied on have disappeared. So what now? Really. What are your options? 

I guess you could just throw your hands up, get out of the car and sit by the road, waiting the rest of your life away and becoming a roadside fixture. Sure, that's one option...

But instead, how about you pop out a thumb and get to walking? Ditch the car entirely. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You don't have to have a map if you have faith. You may not be hurtling directly toward your planned destination, but you're getting there. Find and celebrate the beauty in your journey.

Character

It is easy to see our blessings when everything in our lives seems to be going the way we want them to. We may even let our success change our attitude or affect the way we treat others. Or even be tempted to pridefully attribute it to our own skills or talents alone. 

In contrast, when we face hard times, how many of us feel left or forgotten? We want someone to blame for our loss or lacking, and we quickly go blind to the many gifts that have and continue to be bestowed upon us. 

Really, both of these times are magnificent opportunities meant to show us our own strength and test our character. Don't let circumstances change who you are. After all, life is constantly changing- relying on its consistency for your own personal balance will never work. It is this inherent instability that necessitates that we have a strong foundation. 

Recognize certain moments as chances to show your steadfast values and to reveal your strong character. 

This is YOUR Life

It seems as if we are constantly bombarded by images and people telling us who we should be, what we should look like and think, what decisions we should be making, what actions we should take. It's hard not to feel like a pebble being tossed and scraped by the tumultuous ocean floor, carried along with little say as to our own wills or desires. 

I have to fight the urge to listen to my doubters who try to place limits on my dreams and capabilities. They aren't saying these things out of malice, but rather, they think they are protecting me or think they know what is best for me. But who would know that better than I do? And how will I ever really know my limits if I don't test them? 

This is your life. You only get this one chance- and it's yours for the taking. Go ahead, make mistakes. Learn something new. Let yourself be silly or weird or outright ridiculous! Own your decisions and be the independent, adventurous, genuine author of your story.

The Source of Your Strength

Life can be so overwhelming! Sometimes we look at them task ahead of us and feel paralyzed with fear and anxiety. How will I ever get through this? I don't have the answers and I don't know if I have the courage or power to succeed. 

We have all encountered situations in which we thought we'd never survive, and yet, here we are! You were right, though, that you alone were not strong enough to get through that. Even now, facing this new challenge, you are unprepared. The great news is that you don't have to do this alone! When you are weak, He is strong. You don't have to know the future because He has already written your story in the stars. 

People say, "Leap, and the net will appear." He is your net, and He will always be there, just as He has from the beginning.

So do not fear. Have faith, not in yourself, but in Him. He made you in his divine image and he gave you this life because He believes in you. If God is for you, who could ever be against you?

Just Believe

What we look for is most often what we eventually see. The world is an imperfect place, filled with its share of hardships and problems. However, there is beauty to be found all around us. Truly good people with kind hearts, open minds, unique gifts and wondrous mysteries exist in our very presence! 

Today, challenge yourself to accept the difficulties and obstacles, but then to look past them for the miracles, the magic, the special. There is good to be found in everything and everyone. Be the person who discovers, nourishes and shares it.

When In Doubt, Dance It Out

Anyone can be ordinary. But we were created with a purpose, a passion, some unique talent or quality that we were meant to share with the world. Don't waste your time trying to be someone you're not. Don't let fear dull your dreams Don't allow doubt to steal your adventure. 

Go out there with your head held high, your voice booming loudly, and give it everything you've got! Dive right in! Take chances! Turn up that music and sing at the top of your lungs! And when all else fails... DANCE your heart out!

Find a Reason to Celebrate

Do you ever feel like you are only going through the motions of your life? Or caught in the mindset of just barely making it through another day or another long week?

What if this day was your last? Would you see it any differently? Would you live it any differently? Why wait for holidays and birthdays to celebrate life and each other? Right now, find something... anything to rejoice in. Tell someone you love them and appreciate all that they do. 

Even better, BE  that person you are thankful for and celebrate your mere existence and this great opportunity you have to make an impact on the world. Be grateful you are alive and that there is no one like you and that you are special. 

Don't count the days- make the days count.

It's Your Choice

We've all been through our own tough life experiences. No matter what has happened, what you've done, or what you've lost, these moments are just as important and necessary as the joys in life. We have the power to choose how to respond and what meaning we will give to the experience. Use your pain to build your character by showing you that you are stronger than you ever knew. Set an example to others of leadership and virtuosity. Acknowledging your fear, doubt, and shame is not a sign of weakness, but of mindfulness and resilience. Allow yourself to feel those feelings and use them to fuel your passion and purpose.

Be the Hero You Are Searching For

When something goes wrong, we anxiously look for someone to help us or to fix the problem entirely. Where is my white knight? Who will do something? Someone needs to change this! You are completely right- someone does need to step up and make the necessary change. That someone is you. Put aside your doubt and your fear- you don't have to have all the answers to begin. Stop acting like the victim in your own life and rewrite your story now- casting yourself as the hero. The best time to start is now and I can't think of anyone more qualified for the job than you! And I promise you, once you step forward and set an example of leadership, others will become empowered and do so as well. And that is when the true magic begins...

Pay Attention

Pay attention to how you interact with others this week. You never know what people are privately going through, and even the most minute act of kindness could be what gets them through a hard day. You have this incredible opportunity to touch someone's life with even a simple smile. Make it a goal this week to not only notice and appreciate the small joys in life, but to share them with others as well.

We are all on a journey- and where you are today is simply where you are meant to be. Accept your present moment and live it fully. Learn, grow, give now. We are not promised anything in this life, so take nothing and no one for granted. The past is past and the future waits to be seen, but you do have this wonderful gift right here, right now, of life and its infinite possibilities. Wherever you are, celebrate it, continue to make positive choices, forgive easily, be quick to love and slow to anger, and appreciate all that you have in this very moment.

I'm in love with love!

Many of us fear being alone- especially the thought of being alone forever. We equate being alone with being lonely, and choose a partner out of that sense of desperation to have someone... anyone! But that is neither fair to you, nor to them. Living a genuine life means making choices out of thoughtfulness and inspiration rather than fear. It means never compromising your own self worth, or that of another. Put things and people into your life purposely- you are creating your best self! Find people who reflect the person you are and who support the dreams you have. Someone whose life you want the best for and who wants the best firstly in return. You make each other better people, and once you meet them, you will never want to be without them. Be patient. They are out there. In the meantime, enjoy being with yourself- celebrate and grow and appreciate all that you are and all that life has in store for you.

This is a great article to reflect on. Keep these skills and habits in mind and practice them throughout your day- eventually, they will become instinctual and you will discover inner strength you never knew you had.

My mother used to tell me that sometimes, " You have to fake it until you make it." I would passionately refuse  the wisdom of her words, arguing that I simply would rather be true to my genuine feelings than fake anything. As I've matured, I've come to understand that what she meant was that sometimes we just need to look fear or uncertainty in the face and show up, grow up and do it. After all, if you always waited until you knew the time was right, you'd never do anything!

It's easy to look around at everyone else and start to compare our journey with theirs. We are so quick to judge our choices and question our place in this world, that we fail to appreciate just how much progress we may have made or how much we have accomplished. Instead of being your own worst critic, acknowledge and celebrate exactly where you are in the present moment. Be proud of the person you are and have faith in the person you are becoming. 

Take the Wheel and DRIVE!

I have great news: you are the author of your own life! Be mindful of the choices you make and always remember to act with honor and integrity in reflection of your core values. Instead of being a passenger, take the wheel and drive in the direction of your goals and dreams. After all, you can be your biggest boundary or your best advocate. What is the next step in your journey?