Passion and goals . . . .

I was reading a Tommy Gibbs article this morning that struck a passionate cord with me. He said, "There's a massive connection between passion and goals. If you don't have goals then it's pretty unlikely you will ever have a passion for anything. Your goals have to be constantly changing. Passionate people are not successful because they achieve their goals. They are successful because they keep changing their goals. Setting goals too low or too high doesn't work. Setting goals just a tick out of reach is the key. You hit that just out of reach goal, set another and the passion burns on."

I've written in the past about our comfort zone and how it can stifle us. We settle in, and our passion begins to fade. It's easy to say you're happy right where you are, and feel no need to change anything. And really.....it's not a bad thing if you're completely happy there. But if you're complaining about life, bashing other people's successes, feeling letdown, and doing nothing to create your own success, then it's probably time to get up off that chair and set a nice little goal for yourself. It doesn't have to be huge! Quite the contrary!! Don't set yourself up for failure right off the bat. Come up with a fairly easy to reach goal that will begin to spark your passion as to what can actually be done. You might surprise yourself! It can light a fire within you, which will lead to setting new goals for yourself, and more importantly, reaching them! Now that's living a passionate life!

"Until you discover your "fire within" you will remain condemned to a life only endured, not lived; to delicacies only tasted, not devoured; to joys only imagined, not experienced."

-Alister Cameron

Make an effort . . . .

The countdown begins!.....3 days left until the New Year. It's a tradition for many to stop and examine what's working in their life, and what's not. Do you find yourself taking a closer look? What changes, if any, are you thinking about making? Personally I feel that changes can be made any day of the year, or any moment for that matter......not just when the calendar flips to a New Year. But for the sake of tradition, I do find myself asking a few questions. It just seems like an appropriate time to re-group, and to take an honest look at what changes can be made to enhance or enrich our lives. Are we spending time with people who are good for us? Are we good for them? Are we healthy? Could we be healthier? Are we giving back? Do we give at all? New Year's resolutions don't have to be huge life changing affairs. But we could at least promise ourselves that we'll do SOMEthing, as small as that may be, to better ourselves and the people around us. It's not that difficult. The details of our life could change, and most likely WILL change, by this time next year. I know we can't control everything, but if we knew we could control at least  a part of that, why wouldn't we make an effort to do what we can to make it better? Make a promise to yourself that you will put forth the effort that it takes to do something that will enhance your life. If you desire something, find the energy to input the effort! How bad do you want it?

(Hint....I've found that adding a bit more humor to your life makes it easier!)

"Rules for Happiness: 

something to do,

someone to love,

something to hope for."

Go there! . . . .

Let's just say that you were given the chance to go anywhere in the world, money is not an issue, and you're leaving tomorrow ......... where would you go? If you could throw caution to the wind, would you  jet set to the South of France, Tahiti or Morocco? New York City, Hawaii or Greece? If you're a foodie, maybe it's Rome where you can indulge in fresh-made pasta & sauces, or enjoy amazing pizza. 

Please don't think that these types of vacations only happen to others. Living the life of your dreams is for YOU just as much as it is for the next person! But first you have to stop the negative thoughts such as "It'll never happen." Listen....you can't reach a goal that you don't have! Decide that you can make your dream vacation a reality, and start today. Set the goal and work towards it. I promise, IT CAN HAPPEN FOR YOU! 

• Start by deciding where it is that you'd like to go. Stop by your local bookstore and pick up a travel magazine.
• Cut out pictures of your dream destination.
• Hang this visual image somewhere where you can see it regularly. The simple act of converting your dream to a visual image has a way of stimulating creative thoughts, and that's what will bring you closer to it becoming a reality.
• Share your dream with someone that you know will support & encourage you, not someone who will discredit your thoughts.
• Take action. If it means you have to make small changes in your life to reach your goal, then do it! But think of the process of fulfilling your dream as an adventure, not a chore.
• Be persistent. There are lots of options as to how you might achieve your goal.....if one doesn't work, go to the next one.
• Be patient. Dreams don't just happen overnight. Never give up. 

"Let's go out and let stories happen to us. Let's work them, water them....till they bloom"

-Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Photo by Greg Bajor via flickr

Are you sabotaging your own goals? . . . .

What are your habits saying about you? We all have good intentions when it comes to our goals, but how many times do we sabotage those goals with our own bad habits? We know what we want, right? We're anxious to change, but the truth is.....we are what we repeatedly do! So if we're repeating bad habits, those habits prevent us from succeeding. You have the power to enhance your life by letting go of repetitious habits that prevent you from moving forward. . . the ones that put us in a holding pattern, and prevent us from experiencing positive change. It takes will power and discipline to develop new habits. Once you discover what it is that you want in your life, look also for someone who lives that life, and emulate their habits. Use your will power to create those new habits. It's not easy at first, but the best way to break an old habit is to replace it with a new one. If you can do it consistently, you'll be on your way to living that life! Never lose site of your goals. You deserve to reach them just as much as the next person, but it's up to you! Step into a life of smarter, healthier choices, and become a perfect example of the person you wish to be! 

"First we make our habits,

then our habits make us."

- Charles C. Noble

Honor yourself and your dreams . . . .

Can you believe that we are literally half-way through the year already? It has reminded me to think about the goals that we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. How are you doing? Are you staying on track with the promises you made to yourself? Are you staying committed? ....honoring your passions, your dreams, and your heart? If you've not done so well, it's probably time to re-commit to those goals, or move on. Or perhaps you're sticking with your commitment, but just feel like you're not there yet. Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. Stay the course and remind yourself of the enthusiasm you felt at the beginning of the year when you made those resolutions. For me, I made a firm decision to stay active, honor the healthy habits that had finally become a lifestyle for me, and to reach for the next level of fitness. There is nothing so satisfying as reaching a personal goal, or following your dreams & your passions. I was also determined to stay committed to writing this blog 5 days a week, and I'm grateful there are not too many days when I don't feel inspired to share encouraging thoughts. It truly is a passion of mine. What is it for you?....your career, your fitness level, your relationships? What matters most to you? Honor that! .....and stay committed. Remind yourself that you can live the life you've always dreamed about! Your dreams are an expression of your heart and soul. It doesn't matter that half of the year has passed! It's a new day, and from this moment forward you can create a whole new life for yourself!

Any dream worth dreaming, 

is worth the effort to make it come true.

-Evan Gourley


Dreams Digital Print
by valentina design
via etsy

Chin up! . . . .

Photo by Jodi Miller 

Happiness's greatest secret . . . .

It's not the realization of your dreams that will bring you happiness; most people adjust their dreams as they go, raising the bar higher and higher, and so it should be. We're naturally insatiable creatures; reaching one goal, we immediately fix our sights on the next. These pursuits are adventures. They keep us growing and they keep us alive, which means that by perpetually changing our goals and dreams, the only constant in our lives is the journey we're on - a journey without end and one that is partly based upon attaining "things" we do not yet have. So the trick is learning to find happiness even while you do not yet have all you want, because you never will! Do you see? If we postpone our happiness until our present dreams come true, it becomes a habit without end. Our achieved dreams constantly being replaced by new dreams. To enjoy life means to enjoy the journey even though the journey itself implies that we are incomplete. This is happiness's greatest secret; master it now and you can coast into "the rest of your life."

From the book Infinite Possibilities

by Mike Dooley

Photo by Cameron McDonald

via

One League

Stepping stones . . . .

We literally have infinite potential to achieve our goals.....even those that seem the most far-off. Mark out realistic stepping stones toward your aims, and try each day to work toward reaching another stone. Most importantly, do not feel disappointed if, on one day, you make only half your intended progress, or even no progress at all. The mere act of thinking about your goals will bring you closer to them. Believe in yourself!

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now 

and make a brand new ending.

-Unknown

The big secret in life is . . .

. . . . that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.

Motivation is when your dreams

put on work clothes.

-Unknown author

Look forward . . . .

Let the countdown begin! With only 4 days remaining in the year, have you begun to think about what choices you will make in the New Year to enhance your life? Will you dwell on the past, or will you choose to look forward to a new day; a new year full of amazing possibilities? Visualize yourself succeeding in whatever it is you choose, and never lose site of that image. Choose to step out of the cycle of repetitious habits and step into a life of clearer vision, healthier choices and peace in your heart.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

-C.S. Lewis