The Walk

On your journey through this life there will often be times when that dusty, dark road is traveled by you alone.  Those times alone are necessary.  You may feel lonely, dejected, or unworthy of a life filled with love and joy.  I've been on that road, many times. 

You can't turn back because you don't want those moments that wrenched your heart to return, and you may feel like you can't go any further.  You must. (insert loud voice here)  One step after another, one step after another...keep moving, keep fighting, keep dreaming...

I'll tell you why the lonely, desperate path is worthy of your time and effort.  That path will lead you directly the door of your heart's desire.

The elation is an instant cure for pain.  I'm at the finish line cheering you on.  I believe in you and so do so many others.  WE believe in you.

Super X-Ray Vision

A healthy dose of optimism does not mean you are ignoring facts.  It means you regard the obstacles as stepping stones. 

Negative situations are no match for the powerful force within you, particularly when you have determination.

Stare through what seems to be holding you back and see yourself, successful, on the other side.

Sunrise

How many times have you ever seen the sunrise and it was an exact duplicate of one previous?  Never. 

Some may be dreading the unfolding of a new day due to personal stress, work conflict, job dissatisfaction, unemployed, underemployed...it's a long list of what we, as a group, face each day.  It occurred to me that with each different sunrise we have opportunity to greet each day with a different point of view. 

You have the innate power to alter your mood and expectations, which go a long way to changing outcomes.  

This is the 30 day challenge.  Each morning when you wake up, be thankful for what you do have and as soon as your feet hit the floor exclaim "It is a wonderful day!"

Dig in.

When you are traveling a path and you feel like you have reached the end, sometimes it takes the will of another to help you pick up your shovel and pick-axe, and keep blazing the trail.  

You see, the road never ends. 

Something you must believe...

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  You are a creation unlike any other.  You are the most powerful, sentient being on this planet.  Do not let go your dreams, do not quit, do not let those that have no dream left in them steal yours.  Get up, be strong, walk the planet as if you own it, and keep moving, keep believing, keep fanning the embers of your heart, and for goodness sake, will you please believe in you as much as I do?

Dreams are measured in inches...

Stop what you are doing right now and think about your past.  Is that where you live?  Is that the life you think about, or do you have dreams of things so big, that sometimes you wonder how you're going to achieve it?  

It's all about momentum.  Even a rocket ship has to break the chains of gravity.  It doesn't start at 1,000 miles per hour.  It starts by moving an inch, then a foot, then a mile..it's the start that proves  most difficult.  

Do you really want to have that dream become a reality?  Even if you only move one inch, you're closer.  Do something everyday to get yourself closer.  If you must, drag the chain of the past with you until you have enough moment to snap the link that keeps you from your dream.  Having a dream is simple, getting there takes determination.

Even Samurai Warriors know

In the movie, The Last Samurai, Katsumoto was both warrior and philosopher.  A minor story in the movie was his search for the perfect cherry blossom.  Near the end of the movie, Katsumoto was mortally wounded on the field of battle and he was dying.  As the spring cherry blossoms were falling off the trees, he realized then that each cherry blossom was perfect.

You, my friend, are the perfect cherry blossom and I pray that it doesn't take you one moment longer in life to realize that!

 

Danger doesn't have to be dangerous.

When you are striving for something, the action is out on a limb.  The danger is that you are doing something new and you're initially uncomfortable going further and further out on that limb.  Just like with anything you've ever learned, balancing on the limb, the growth of the limb, and your knowledge grows.  Not overnight, not in a week, but in time.  You can feed the tree that holds your limb by learning more about what you are doing right (and wrong) and become so accustomed to living on the limb (where the most sunshine is), that the thought of returning to the trunk and climbing back to earth is evening more frightening than being precariously balanced with the wind blowing.

Hey!!

What are you going to do with these?

Keep Pushing

The day will come when whatever your struggle is will be over.  Whether it business, self-improvement, or anything you want to make better in your life.  Most certainly you will have periods when you wonder if the struggle to reach the goal is worth it.  Think back over your life at those things you have already overcome.  Dig really deep and recall those previous times you felt miserable, then switch to the feeling of accomplishment.  Did that previous "win" occur overnight?  I think not.  You know, you truly know, that within you lies the power to overcome. 

Don't quit, don't stop, keep pushing, get the win!

I believe in you and you should too.

The Fog

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As I drove into work this morning I was met by a beautiful sight of the sun shining through the fog.  The dispersion of light made the entire sky glow with oranges, yellows and some soft red hues.  It reminded me of how the light through the fog is similar to working towards your goals and dreams.  At first, the goal is seems so wide, that you wonder if you will ever reach it.  As the fog of the dream gets burned off by the desire to reach your goal, the vision (the sun) becomes clearer with each step taken. 

Take a few minutes this morning and concentrate on what you will see, how you will feel, and what joy you will have once you've reached your goal.  YOU will be the sun shining through the fog for others to follow .

I'm good.

I had the extreme pleasure this weekend of having a short conversation with a former Marine.  This man, of 81 years, had that twinkle of life in his eyes, and a heart that matched his smile.  He told me, near the end of the conversation, that he was diagnosed with lung cancer.  While asking a few more questions, he informed me that he wasn't going to seek treatment.  Of course I asked him why not.  As he was turning away to walk off, he smiled that smile of contentment and peace and said, "I'm good". 

I don't think I'll ever forget that moment, that peace he was radiating, or his grace.  I was truly blessed to have that encounter.

No matter what your situation, I hope that today, you can find peace in the storm, smile at someone and let them know you're good.

That's not it...

If you are spinning your wheels, running around like a headless chicken, and chasing smoke to find your dream, I'm here to tell you that's not it.  The dream is inside you.  The dream is an ember waiting for you to breathe life on it, so it sets you on fire to reach the reality of the dream.  If you aren't fueling the fire every day, then you have no right to be anything except disappointed in yourself. 

Take the time right now, and every hour, every day, picture yourself living the dream.  Get off your couch and do something about it.  I'm picturing my dream right now and I promise you that I'm feeding this ember within...better call 911, because this guy's on fire!!!!!

p.s.  If you come near me, I will set your dream on fire too.

The Wall

When you are truly striving to become the whole person you know you are meant to be, there will be obstacles.  Sometimes you need guidance, and that guidance may come in many forms. 

Recently, I've been struggling with a seemingly insurmountable wall for the next step in my journey of becoming.  I thought I knew what I was doing, I did not. 

That guidance, for me, was a kick in the keister to motivate me up and over the wall.  Perhaps my inability to get to the other side of the proverbial wall was fear of the unknown, perhaps it was genuinely not knowing what to do next.  In either case, the kick, the hand up, the new direction, the smashing of the wall, all gets us to the next step.

Keep on your path and don't be afraid to ask for help. 

 

There's more to the story...

I had the gracious opportunity to hear a speech this weekend past from a man that truly embodies the value in developing relationships.

How many of us have friends that we think we know, but when it comes down to it, we only see the surface?  Unless we spend the time to learn the heart/passion/spirit of a person then we just know "things" about them.  Take some time with a friend over the next few days, or weeks, and have a one way listening experience with them.  Ask them about what their passion is.  Allow them the safety of your friendship to develop a trust and just be in that moment. 

I believe that you will be amazed when you focus on others.

Price vs. Cost

If you just glance over the subject line you may initially think that the meaning of those two words is the same.  Let's frame them differently.  When you are going to buy a new car, the price is very important, agreed?  You may ask what is the price, or what is the cost of the salesperson.  However, I believe them to have disparate definitions.  I look at price as what I'm willing to pay for something that will add value to my life.  Cost, on the other hand, is lost money (so to speak).  The cost of ownership of a car means fuel, insurance, and maintenance.  Costs will never be recouped. 

If you frame those questions around your dreams and ambitions, you must know that you will pay a price.  The price may be time away from your family, lost sleep, or suffering the indignation of your friends and family that think you will never succeed.  The cost of quitting is so much greater.  You will suffer the cost of failure much longer.  It will gnaw at you daily, eating away at your self-respect and dignity. 

If you are going to pay for something (a price or a cost), you may as well pay the price and enjoy life.
 

The Peril of NOT Traveling

"Truthful insight on your soul can be terrifying.  Walking toward the center of who you are is a journey that, when taken, is continuous once the first step is initiated.  I'm on that journey and it's not always pleasant to have your faults paraded in front of you, yet it's freedom; unabashed, unadulterated, life giving, soul singing freedom.  Take the step, nourish your heart and soul, and watch what happens."