"Someday" is not a day of the week . . . .

Hi friends! How was your weekend? I had a very productive one and can't even begin to tell you what a difference it has already made for the start to my week. First, please allow me to tell you what has inspired me to get a move on. We have put our house on the market, so if and when it sells, we will be building a smaller place that is less than half the square footage, and THAT is my inspiration! The thought of having to move all my "stuff" has inspired me to get it together. I've begun to ask myself a few questions as I sort through my things.... "Do I really want to have to find a spot for it in a smaller place?", and "Do I love it?" I've decided that if I'm not using it, it's gone.  This is one job that I cannot procrastinate about. If I got an offer tomorrow, and did nothing in advance, I'd be in big twouble. I don't want to face that kind of pressure. So I know that the best way to get it done is to begin. It would truly be self-sabotaging to not get started, and I know it. Honestly, when you dread a task, it uses up more time and energy than just doing it. It literally exhausts me to think about doing it later. Do you find yourself procrastinating? Do you realize how soon not now becomes never? We make it harder on ourselves when we put things off. I love Mark Twains thoughts....."The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into smaller manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." Thank you Mr. Twain. 

If you're facing an overwhelming task, and find that you're having a hard time getting started, take Mr. Twain's advice. Break it down into small manageable tasks, and just start with the first one.  

Do it now, brother. 

Do it now.

-Author Unknown

Children want limits . . . .

"You don't have to be the world's strongest man 

to earn the respect of a child or a teenager, 

but you have to be strong enough 

to stand your ground against an onslaught of resistance."

-S. Truett Cathy

Children all around us are growing up without strong positive guidance from their parents, who are busy, distracted, absent, or choose to be buddies instead of parents to their children. You see them in your neighborhood, your classroom, your troop, your team, or your family.

These children cannot build themselves into responsible adults. They cannot teach themselves respect, trust, generosity, or common sense. They need for you to teach them. They need for you to reach out to them in love - to love them into a sense of belonging. They need for you to be available to talk - to be a friend. They need your firm instruction. They need honest encouragement and to be reminded of their strengths and opportunities. 

How many families have you seen that are ruled by the child? By age five, some children already dictate to their parents what they will do. They know their parents would rather give in to their demands than deal with a tantrum. I've seen dozens of children through the years who never understood respect for authority. Their parents rarely enforced discipline at home until the children were completely out of control. Their inconsistent message only amplified the problem. Be so consistent with your discipline that you're boring! 

"Children want limits,

and they want to be able

to respect the adults

who set those limits."

From the book

It's Better To Build Boys Than Mend Men

-by S. Truett Cathy

What is it about New Year's resolutions that cause people to discard them so quickly? Is it because they feel it's just another promise they make to themselves that they know will be broken by the time March rolls around? It's so self-defeating to think of them that way! I came across a quote recently that said, "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." Oh my goodness, that is SO true for SO many. I've already noticed that the gym isn't quite as busy as it was on January 2nd! But it doesn't have to be that way! I have a sign that I keep in my sight that says, "Do something today that your future self will thank you for." I love that! That is such a huge motivator for me because I KNOW that "that future" will be here before I know it! You have to at least BEGIN to do something differently if you want change in your life. How can your life be better a year from now if you don't even get started? Doing nothing is the easy route. Do you come home tired every night and end up on the sofa? Don't do that! Starting today, don't do that! As someone who exercises a minimum of 5 days a week, I too am often tired when I begin my workout, but I promise, it doesn't take long before I am feeling so much better, completely energized, and mentally stimulated. Require more of yourself! This much I know.......nobody's going to do it for you. Be accountable for the decisions you make every day. Dr. Phil McGraw says....."Starting now, begin each and every day of your life with the question: 'What can I do today to make my life better?' Ask it, answer it, and then do it, every day."

If you continue to do what you've always done,

you will continue to have what you've always had.

If you do different,

you will have different.

Happy Friday!

Have an awesome weekend! 

Photo of Norah Jones via Pinterest

Ever wish for do-over days? . . . .

You know, 

hit the reset button and 

give 'er another shot?

Cool.

Will today work?

(They're all do-over days.)

Via

Notes from The Universe

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

Ride on . . . .

Via Notes from The Universe

Photo via Google Images

Bring it on . . . .

If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying, "Here comes number seventy-one!"

-Richard M. Devos


Photo via Stylist REBECCA VAN REHN