Find Strength from Every Lesson

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do.  But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength." ~Unknown

"Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness.  Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.  Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength."~August Wilson

Accept all that is given to you with an open mind.  Every event is a gift, whether it warmed your heart or brought you disappointment.  Everything is a blessing for reasons we can't always see or know in the moment.  Learn from yesterday, live for today, plant seeds for tomorrow using your inner strength to live a life worth living.

"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within."~Anonymous

The philosophy of life is to make the most of it.  So enjoy the happy moments for sure, but see the lessons in the challenges thrown at you too.  Everything can happen for a reason if you view life with an open mind and heart; to see the lessons that give you the wisdom and strength to follow the paths that God leads you on all throughout your life.  

"Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them.  There are deep wells of strength that are never used."~Richard E. Byrd

Right Now by Ralph Marston

Great Video from Positive Pause

"You've done it before and you can do it now.  See the positive possibilities   Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination." ~Ralph Marston

The Power of Kindness

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."~Leo Buscaglia

Don't wait... to do what's right.

"There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right.  But they hesitate, waiting for the other fellow to make the make the first move - and he, in turn, waits for you." ~Marian Anderson

"A true hero is not someone who thinks about doing what's right, but one that simply does what is right without thinking!" ~Kevin Heath

Be Authentic

ameaningfulexistence.com

"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering." ~Ben Okri

I've had interviews where I was the person that I thought the bosses or organizations were looking for.  However, I would end up turning the jobs down when they were offered, because they didn't feel like the right fit for me.  I could never be happy being someone I am not or having to do task that go against my character or beliefs.  We all have our strengths, so if a job is not the right fit, it's better to be honest from the beginning.  

"It is my intention to live an authentic life of compassion and integrity and action." ~Zachary Quinto

As I get ready for my first day tomorrow at my new job; I planned what I should wear, when I should leave in the morning and what I should bring.  One thing I didn't plan is how to act.  I know I got this job by being myself... my authentic self in the interviews.  Knowing that I can and should be myself is making  this change in my life so much easier; along with knowing the values and mission of the organization.  I am so excited!

"In short, we cannot grow, we cannot achieve authentic discovery, and our eyes cannot be cleansed to the truly beautiful possibilities of life, if we simply live a neutral existence." ~Armstrong Williams 

5 Things You Can Do to be Your Authentic Self

Never Give Up!

"If you fall behind, run faster.  Never give up, never surrender, rise up against the odds."~Jesse Jackson

Watch the Best Motivational Video Ever on Never Giving Up

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."~Harriet Beecher Stowe

I'm BACK!!!

Hello!!  Oh how I have missed blogging and you ALL so much!  I have been gone way too long.

This past year has been a FLASH of events, traumas, health issues and enormous stress.  All of which piled up on me to the point of exhaustion.  I needed to take a step back and take care of myself first; then figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  

One thing lead to another this past year causing me to learn many lessons.  In the end I regained the confidence, strength and self esteem I seemed to have lost a time or two in the past few years.  Finding my direction and voice again has led me to the real path God intended for me all along.

Next week I start a brand new journey in a totally different field.  I am looking forward to a fresh start, new adventures working for a company that helps people with Christian values.  A company that models compassion and respect to their clients and employees in a positive work environment.

Positive environments, respect and reasonable expectations play a major roll in employee morale, health and happiness.  I have learned to both treat myself and others with respect, compassion and appreciation.  

All in all, I learned to take care of myself first.  I learned I can handle more work than I ever imagined.  I learned overwhelming amounts of information and now have the skills that brought me to these new opportunities.

I had so many positives this year too.  I met several great friends who taught me true compassion with their selfless acts of kindness.   I also met amazing people while volunteering this fall; who each taught me by example.  Such as how to enjoy the moments and find the good in everyone; as well as how to handle disappointments with grace and gratitude.  

Today I said goodbye to some of those amazing people and Friday I say 'see you later' to others whom I consider my guardian angels this past year.  This week is bitter sweet, filled with lots of mixed emotions; however I feel in my heart that this is the right decision and that this move will open so many more doors for me. :-)

"When one door closes; another one Opens!"