Give Up Control

What are you putting your trust in? We are in a continuous search for answers, yet the answer is always the same! However, time and again, I get caught in the vicious cycle of overthinking and worrying. I put all the pressure and blame and fear on myself, and then feel helpless when I don't produce the perfect solution. 

Our thoughts determine our daily lives. They are a filter for how we see the world and they have the power to trap and victimize us or to lead us to do greater things than we ever knew possible. If they are so important, why aren't we more careful with who and what controls them? 

Today, please be a vigilante defender of your mind. Put your faith, your trust, your life in His hands and give Him the keys to your heart. You'll be amazed at how your view changes!

Ahoy There!

The most successful people in this world were not born into their positions. Nor did they accomplish their biggest goals quickly and flawlessly. In fact, most would say that their most meaningful lessons and moments were products of difficulty and challenge. 

How will you ever know your limits if you don't push them to the edge? Or recognize your strength if not tested? What is wisdom if not the desire to continually question what you think you already know? 

I have personally been struggling with feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness at seeing my hard work thearted and my dreams being put on hold. Why does everyone else seem to have all of life's answers but me? I live a life of trial and error- when will I get it right? 

Then, I remember that my dreams are lofty and my aspirations astronomical. The greater the goal, the more work I am going to have to put into it. I might spend the rest of my life pushing myself, stumbling and falling, rebuilding, questioning, and reinventing- all in an effort to fulfil my purpose. I know in my soul that God intended my life to have impact, and if all I ever do is try over and over again (continually battling obstacles) in pursuing His mission for me, I will have lived a good life.

So take hope. Continue to fight for what you value and believe in. The more hardships He places in your life, the more He knows you will be able to handle, and the better the person you will become.

Seek Inspiration

What inspires you? Sometimes I have to look harder than others, but beauty truly can be found all around us. For me, a genuine, no-holds barred smile is completely contagious! How can you resist this adorable little girl and her equally jubilant camel? Impossible!

I often talk about being a source of hope and inspiration to others, which is important. However, at the same time, we need to fuel our own passion and creativity by seeking out those resources around us. 

I hope that you feel you can count on me as a wellspring of positivity, hope, joy, and gratitude. I am always here for you!

Sometimes the Simplest Task is the Hardest

God actually asks very little of us when you think about it. In return for the numerous blessings and immense gifts he has given us, (hello, creating mankind and then sacrificing his son for our eternal salvation....) He primarily requests that we love Him and love one another. 

What's the catch? Well, it turns out that we humans tend to mess that up all the time. We become focused on our own lives or some drama of the moment, or get caught holding on to hurt and anger , or even forget the true meaning of love entirely!

Who could you show your love and compassion for today? Make it a conscious goal to connect with others and let them know they are cherished and cared about. There is no better gift you could give someone.

After all, if John Lennon and God agree that, "All you need is love," I think we should listen.

What Drives You?

My mother likes to remind me that good decisions were never made in moments of fear. It turns out that her wisdom is actually scientifically based. Researchers have proven that when our bodies enter a state of threat ( in which the autonomic nervous system reacts to a situation using "fight or flight" instincts,) our frontal lobes, which are in charge of all our upper level, reasonable thought processes, turns off and we are left only with our primal survival instincts to guide us. In other words, when we feel intense fear, anxiety, or anger, our problem-solving skills become no more evolved than an animal's.

If we allow our fear or shame to guide the direction of our lives, we are choosing to run away from instead of run toward our intended goal. Our focus becomes a panicked escape rather than a thoughtful mission. Furthermore, the clear, direct path that we once followed disappears and we are left with numerous confusing twists, roadblocks, and side roads with no promise of reaching a destination. 

Ask yourself what is driving your direction today. If you find that you are making rushed decisions based on fear or panic, allow yourself some time to refocus on  your goal. Keep your head up and look toward the future, instead of constantly checking over your shoulder at your past. Most importantly, be mindful, present, and thoughtful before you take that next step. 

Eyes on the Prize

What happens when you lose sight of your mission? Or when you stop focusing on yourself, and start to compare with other people? All of a sudden, instead of answers, you see problems. You are surrounded by doubt and fear, instead of purpose and fortitude. 

This is why focus and perspective are so vital for success. I am not suggesting that ignoring obstacles will make them obsolete. Rather, by keeping your mind on your mission, the answers to your problems will much more readily appear. Furthermore, by focusing on your strengths and successes, your deficits and doubts will indeed seem less daunting and pervasive. 

Surround yourself with people who support your dreams and help keep your eyes ahead- focused on possibility, not problems.

Your Mantra for the Week

Simple, right?! Yet we continually allow others to dull our sparkle, to criticize our passion, and limit our potential. Just because misery loves company does not mean you have to join that party. People may not even be aware of the hurt they are causing you out of their own pain- so do not take it to heart.

This is your life and you are in the driver seat. The choices you make are yours alone- and they create the journey of your life. Furthermore, by focusing on your own growth and well being, you are setting an example and inspiring those doubters to choose happiness as well.

When you make the decision to rise above, you will be amazed at the life, love, and joy that will appear. It is waiting for you just beyond your fears.

This week, make the decision to shine.