Be what you want to see . . . .

If you want to inspire others, be inspiring! There is no question that it motivates us when we see someone doing something on their own. They have taken the necessary steps to do what it takes to get something done. For example....you look out your window and see your neighbor planting flowers, cleaning up their yard, or painting their fence. That's inspiring. You pass by the gym and see your friend walking out, and notice that she's several pounds lighter than the last time you saw her. That's inspiring. I love being inspired by others! Nothing gets me going faster than that. I'd rather be inspired than fixed....do you know what I mean? If someone is telling me that I should be doing something, it is somehow NOT the motivation I need to get it done. But, inspire me, without saying a word, and it's a done deal! People would rather be inspired, than fixed. So if you want to inspire someone, BE what you want to see.

"It is difficult to inspire others 

to accomplish what you yourself 

are not willing to try."

-Unknown

A WOMAN IS OFTEN MEASURED BY THE THINGS SHE CANNOT CONTROL. SHE IS MEASURED BY THE WAY HER BODY CURVES OR DOESN'T CURVE,  BY WHERE SHE IS FLAT OR STRAIGHT OR ROUND. SHE IS MEASURED BY 36-24-36 AND INCHES AND AGES AND NUMBERS, BY ALL THE OUTSIDE THINGS THAT DON'T EVER ADD UP TO WHO SHE IS ON THE INSIDE. AND SO IF A WOMAN IS TO BE MEASURED, LET HER BE MEASURED BY THE THINGS SHE CAN CONTROL, BY WHO SHE IS AND WHO SHE IS TRYING TO BECOME. BECAUSE EVERY WOMAN KNOWS MEASUREMENTS ARE ONLY STATISTICS, AND STATISTICS LIE.

Thank you, 

for this great ad.

Once upon a time . . . .

Happy Monday!

Make it a great day!

Life is for YOU! . . . .

Happy Monday! 

Make it a great week!

The world needs more of YOU in it! . . . .

Happy Monday!

What do people live for? . . . .

I came across this video over at The Lettered Cottage, and it made me cry.... happy tears.  You will love this video about ordinary people living extraordinary dreams.  Enjoy.

"I hope your dreams take you....to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known."

-Unknown

I have a question for you. What are you doing to continually rekindle the passion of your life? What kind of inspiration are you providing for yourself that will keep you pursuing your dream? And if that passion dies, who's to blame? It's sad, but true.....passion will die without constant inspiration. In Zig Ziglar's book, "Better Than Good" he writes...... 

If you think of passion as the flame that burns white hot in the heart of every person, inspiration is the fuel that keeps that flame alive. Often I meet people in whom the fire of passion seems to have gone out. You can see it in their eyes---there's no spark of life! It's like someone came along and flipped off the passion switch while they weren't looking. The big mistake is thinking that regaining passion is a passive event--something we just have to wait for until we're moved once more to become passionate about life. Not so! Passion is a flame that has to be fed in order to keep it burning bright. And inspiration is the fuel that keeps the fire alive. 

Who is responsible for feeding inspiration to the flame of passion? You are! And if you don't, trust me--passion will, over time, become a distant and only occasional visitor to the house of your heart.

Here are 4 practical ways to inspire yourself--to feed the fires of passion burning within:

1. INVEST IN INSPIRATION

The more time, talent, and treasure you invest in your passion, the more you will fight for it, defend it, and protect it from everyone and everything that would attempt to steal it from you. Let's say your passion is to own your own flower shop someday. Right now, you're not involved with flowers except as a hobby. If I were to come to your house and spend an hour talking with you about your passion, I'd be looking for signs that you're investing your time, talent, and treasure. I'd be looking for bookshelves full books on flowers, books on running a small business, magazine subscriptions on the same subjects, your class schedule for the course on entrepreneurship and small-business management, check stubs from your payment of dues to the appropriate floral associations, your applications to several local flower shops where you plan to work as an apprentice in order to get experience. . . . . and on and on.

2. INQUIRE FOR INSPIRATION

Find a mentor--someone who has the same passion--and make some kind of arrangement to meet with that person on a regular basis for inspiration. There is nothing more inspiring than meeting with someone who is already successful at what I have a passion to do. Inspiration is caught better than it is taught.

3. GET INVOLVED TO FIND INSPIRATION

Sometimes we have to get up and get involved in order to find inspiration and keep passion alive. And the bigger the movement is in which we choose to get involved, the more inspired we are. Which inspires you more--being the only person sitting in a football stadium or being one of seventy thousand screaming fans who are just as excited as you are about the same home team? The bigger the crowd, the more inspired you are. Why? Because you feed off the energy of the thousands of people who are looking for the same things in life that you are: success, inspiration, encouragement, and motivation. If you are passionate about writing, attend writers conferences where new books are displayed. Join a writers group, attend book signings or readings, or volunteer at your public library. Whatever your passion, get involved in it at a level that is bigger than you are. When you become part of something bigger than you are, you become accountable. You become inspired to do your best. You become motivated to not let others down. And that fuels your passion in ways that can't be described--it can only be experienced.

4. IMAGINE FOR INSPIRATION

The power of imagination is one of the greatest untapped resources in the human tool kit. It's amazing that mental images have such power--but they do. Some people are born with more of an imagination than others, but it can, by hard work be cultivated--not by mere daydreaming, not by lazy wondering, but by hard study and earnest thought. Whatever your passion is, turn your imagination loose and let it inspire you to keep working to make your dreams become reality. 

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."

-Jack London

Happy Friday!

Wishing you 

an inspirational weekend!

Above graphic by NayArts via etsy

I am a big fan of  philosophy skin care products and their way of celebrating the human spirit. Their promise is to "bring its customers products that inspire them to live a better life by being better to themselves." Are you looking for a special gift? Look no further. These products make it easy to celebrate a friend, a family member,  or co-worker.   While out shopping the other day, I found myself in the philosophy section of the department store, and completely lost track of time while reading their labels (one example below). . . each bottle offers a different message that will truly inspire all who read them.

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

An angel on earth . . . .

I am so inspired by this little girl, Jackie. I'm not a big opera fan, but it is hard to believe she is only 10 years old. Her voice is incredibly mature for her age. Not to mention....she is just so adorable!  Enjoy!

GUTS . . . .

Happy Friday!

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Photo by PASCHOAL RODRIGUEZ 

via One League Artists

Do it today . . . .

You don't need endless time and perfect conditions. Do it now. Do it today. Do it for twenty minutes and watch your heart start beating.

-Barbara Sher

Press here to begin.

It's called choice . . . .

. . . . and it's all yours.  Happy Monday! Not only is it the beginning of a new week, but it's a perfect  time to begin making changes in our life that might enhance our day, create a new path, or change the way we feel. There is nothing more empowering than the moment you realize that IT IS possible to re-create your life. It is possible to turn that poor attitude in to a more positive outlook. It is possible to begin that exercise program that you've been putting off. It is possible to be a happier person, more peaceful, more in touch with the love and the wisdom that is at your core......because that's where your beauty lies. And that's where you'll find the very essence of who you are, and who you were meant to be. Begin to listen to your heart, and trust it. Realize that you can make choices that will allow you to begin living your life in a happier and healthier way. What changes would you make in your life, and what are you waiting for?

"If you limit your choices 

only to what seems 

possible or reasonable, 

you disconnect yourself 

from what you truly want, 

and all that is left is compromise."

-Robert Fritz

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Today looks really good on you . . . .

-Via Notes from the Universe

-Photo by Cameron McDonald via One Eyeland

Life is here . . . .

. . . and it is now.....either we meet it, we live it or we miss it. All life resides in the narrow margin and the broad expanse of the moment. It is in the doing, the dreaming, the feeling and the caring. It is always present in a glorious attemt, a lofty dream, a brilliant insight, an irreplaceable experience, a calming breath, an unbelievable feeling and an irrepressible passion. An unlived life is littered with "could haves," "should haves" and "if onlys." Each moment greets us full of possibility and leaves us hoping we are better for having met. While it is true that we only have right now, there will never be a time when it's not now. Grandma Moses said it best, "Life is what we make it, always has been and always will."

-Kobi Yamada

From the book "be"

Oh, the experience of this sweet life.

-Dante

Photo via Getty Images

Open up your mind and . . . .

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Come with me . . . .

Free spirits . . . .

Child-like behavior is such a joy to watch. Children have the ability to spontaneously use their imaginations to forget what's bothering them and be inspired by every pony, feather or bug that crosses their path. You can't help but be inspired by them! We, as adults, can enjoy that free-spirited nature on a different level if we just allow ourselves to do so. Our problems will wait.

"Great is the man who has not lost his childlike heart."

-Mencius

Pass it on . . . .

"Every morning you have a choice to put good energy into the world, to be the best self you can be, to open your heart and let love flow so you can feel love in return and live your dream life. Good energy. Get it, feel it, savor it, pass it on . . ."

-philosophy

A product with a great message . . . .

I am so inspired by Philosophy skin care products and their approach to celebrating the human spirit. I love that they promise to bring its customers products that inspire them to live a better life by being better to themselves. They promote their products as caring not only for your skin, but your overall well-being, stating that they take care of the mind, body and spirit. They believe that only when you feel good can you truly look your best. Philosophy uses children's pictures as a way to highlight the simple pleasures in life and remember the genuine curiosity and wisdom that is the childhood consciousness in us all. They state that children encourage us to be creative, fun and live in the moment; they remind us to believe in magic and to color outside the lines. What is "in" Philosophy jars and bottles can give you better skin, but what is "on" Philosophy jars and bottles can inspire better days. The paragraph below is just one example of what you will find on the outside of the bottles. . . .