Small Moves.

Each day, we can move ourselves a little step forward, stay in place or move ourselves a step backward. Much like a board game, each challenge card you pick up will either enhance your experience with free moves, more tools to add in our bag of tricks or hold you down and set you back a few notches.

Over the past year, I have truly tried my best to make a conscious decision that I would remain a good person through my ups..which is incredibly easy and then in turn remain a good person in my challenges. We all have them..challenges is the professional word for it but let's get gritty..the real turn of phrase is "Things or actions that just piss you off". Staying above the negativity that surfaces within you while your patience is being tested. Not one of us is exempt from this experience.

I have been successful in this focus this year and I have had set backs. So, right here, right now. All challenges, all items that test patience, all things that seduce us to fall into the quicksand of negativity I will stop in the moment and decide to rise above.

No matter what challenge card we pick up..one that moves us forward or one that moves us back. Make the most of each step and stay a good person to the core.

Small Moves.

Advance The Plot.

Life is a story and as just as writers have complete control over the plot they write and the way the characters move and interact, we as well have complete control on the way that our story develops and grows in the story lines we are handed.

Many people believe that we are the masters of our own destiny while many others believe that our destiny masters us. Why not believe that we are equal partners with our destiny if we so choose to be.

Today, find yourself at what point in the plot you are. Look at the scenery and the things that you can not control in your story line and then partner with your destiny and control your character's place within the plot to benefit you and the others around you best.

Advance The Plot.

Signs.

We are always looking for signs. Promptings, affirmations, confirmations in the decisions we are to make and in the ones we have already made. Some people go so far as to find a sign in almost anything they can just to feel a boost of confidence in what they are doing when all along the sign is in you.

You know, deep down if the path you are on and the decisions you are making are for your greater good. You already know how you effect the people around you. You just have to listen and be open to what you hear.

We all have been on a path that was not right for us and did not effect ourselves or the others around us in the way that was best and we have listened, didn't like the answer so continued doing what was not right for us. So this year I am struggling and trying to gain back not only the inner voice that keeps me on track but the same one that makes me a better person and for me listening is not as much of the problem as me doing what the voice is telling me.

Staying positive in negative situations, not being consumed by my environment but being the change in the environment around me. This is my challenge this year and there are days where I truly am the change that I want to see in the world and then there are days that I am not the change but rather a product and driving force in all that is wrong with my environment. 

So here is my mantra this year..in the inspiration of Gandhi.
1. Change yourself.
2. You are in control.
3. Forgive & let go.
4. Without action, you aren't going anywhere.
5. Take care of this moment.
6. Everyone is human.
7. PERSIST.
8. See the good in people & help them.
9. Be congruent, be authentic, be your true self.
10. Continue to grow & evolve.

Signs.

Boomerang Effect.

Unintended causes and effects. For every thing that we decide or do, there is in turn an effect whether it be positive or negative. We are living in a constant ricochet. Whatever you put out there comes back to you, we have all heard that but never were words so true.

Think of all of the good things you put out there and all of the things that really make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Think of how you make a difference. Now, think of times when you made less than positive decisions and how it truly not only effects you but the environment around you. You can't help but notice that the negativity travels with force far greater than positivity.

I have been challenged as of late to do things that will benefit myself and others in situations that are frustrating. It has truly make me want to take the easy way out and give into negativity. Today I must try my best to take a moment to stop what I am doing and think. Let go. Solve. Think about the effect that my attitude and my decisions make in my life and in others. I may not have all the answers and all the solutions but in this moment, I know I do not want to throw any more boomerangs out that I don't want to come back and hit me. Make the choice. Stop the negativity.

Leave You Blind.

It is so easy to be distracted and blinded from ourselves. From all of the stimulation of media, technology and entertainment it is easy to get away from ourselves and live on almost an auto pilot. True moments of quiet and clarity give you the opportunity to see and feel yourself for all of the amazing that you are and also all of the faulty you are. We need to give ourselves the opportunity to appreciate the good in us as well  as the things that make us less than what we could be. Each and every one of us are daily making wonderful choices to better our lives and the lives around us and on the same note, each and every one of us are making choices that will hold us back and the people around us.

It is in these still, quiet moments that are unclouded by the noise of entertainment, media, technology and socialization that we can really look at ourselves with honest and eager eyes. Give yourself those moments. Allow yourself to be completely in the moment, to be honest with who you are, for all you are. Celebrate the greatness in you and change the parts of you that are less desirable. The true point is..do not allow yourself to be in a constant state of distraction or blindness for the reality of life is far better than any entertainment or numbness.

Leave You Blind.

The Sun And The Moon.

Through the hustle and bustle of life how often do you have moments where you can truly appreciate the simplicity and power of the world around you? How many sunrises and sunsets do you get to take in and use for inspiration and charge?

The last few months have been challenging within my professional life to say the least. Long hours, responsibilities beyond what hours in the day allocate. The sun has rose and set many days without so much as a glance from me. My family, friends, hobbies, interests and care have taken a backseat to running a business that needed my attention.

Today is the first day that I truly have a week that I can call my own in what seems like forever. No obligations, no work, no long hours...just freedom, freedom to do the things that feel right to recharge, balance and gain my world back.

We all must demand the opportunity for balance in our life. Appreciate the world around you and the magic that you have the opportunity to be a part of it. As I reconnect with friends I have not seen since work picked up, reconnect with my environment and reconnect with myself I will be filled with gratitude and peace. This week will be beautiful.

The Sun And The Moon.

Encore.

Encore: An extra or repeated performance. An additional or repeated performance of something in response to a demand from an audience.

Every time around this year, we all think of things we want to change in our self. Things we want to elevate and resolve to do better. We look at ourselves with critical eyes and give our self the task to change. It is a rite of passage. A new opportunity and I embrace it with open arms.

This year however, I want to take a moment to celebrate. Celebrate who we all are for each of our successes and failures. Take a moment and really celebrate yourself. What makes you amazing?  What makes you who you are? What are you proud of?

Before moving into your resolutions of what you want to change in your life, give yourself credit for the things that you do really well. What do you want to continue on and do a repeat performance of in the year to come? Each and every one of us have something we contribute and something that makes a difference to ourselves and the world around us. Be proud.

Encore.