Never know how far

Do you know? No, no one really knows how far they can go until they get there. And even then, that doesn't mean that that is the farthest you can go, does it? I don't think it does. I think we can always do more, even if we never make it to more. We have to try and keep trying. I remember feeling so frustrated when I had tried to lose weight before that watching my husband drop pounds every day made we want to give up. I was a different person then. I used to put limits on what I could do because I never thought or believed that I could do more. When the road came to an end, then I was done. But now, if I came to a road that came to an end, I would just go off-roading. It might be a little bumpy and put some wear and tear on me but I wouldn't be stuck. There are so many people out there that have other difficulties that I could never imagine and just flourish. I was totally inspired by Kyle Maynard's story and that is what drove me to run on the days that Rocky wasn't there. He still inspires me. What inspires you? I sometimes think I have to day planned out on what will happen, as it routinely does, and then something exciting happens. Yesterday, I had two young people stop by my office and show me their brand new two week old son. After they left, I realized that, again, they didn't have to stop by they CHOSE to stop by because of something I said to them or the kindness I showed them. You just never know. But you have to start something new and keep going. Never give up. Always give your all. Be there. You just never now how far you can take your life.

Now or never

What are we waiting for? We have to be willing to do something NOW! I have said from the get go that it starts today, and there is a saying that says, "There is no time like the present." What about now? Right now? Not a little but later in the day, or the ever given, "I'll do it tomorrow". Now. People think it has to be something HUGE that needs to take place before anything changes. It doesn't work that way. It takes 15 minutes...one step...one hug...it can happen today. Believe that everything you say, do, and believe matters. It affects what happens next and can influence others to do the same. Today, SM reminded me that she "loves my MOXIE" - and it is people like her that makes me reminiscient of why I am here. What my purpose is, what my focus is, and what comes next to me. We talk alot about putting our hands up and riding the rollercoaster ride...all the way through the ups and downs, the turns and twists around hidden corners, the slow-motion times to the fast-lane events. We have to take it all - we cannot just pick to have only the good. Gotta have it all. A&E. Act now. Say now. Believe now. Dream now. Embrace now. This life is something we need to take full advantage of and we have to do it now. Don't ever live with regrets, because what we usually regret is what we didn't do. We ran out of time...we couldn't find the courage...we hesitated. As I would say to my sons when I call them or ask them to do something..."Now means now." Just saying.

Starting a ripple

Many times, I do not realize or really comprehend the effects of something I say or do and how those good things can positively impact others. In fact, I probably dismiss it more than I should. I am getting better, though. I was visiting with someone Friday and although the quote may be off slightly with a few words and I do not know who said it, it is VERY true. "If you tell a woman she is beautiful 100 times, she will will never believe you. If you tell a woman she is ugly once, she will believe you forever." People have been very supportive and encouraging as they have been there and watched the transformation of me and I have tried to diminish those compliments when they come. I don't believe them, but I need to in order to continue "the change I want to see in the world." I also visited with GZ on Saturday - love to see your smile - and she told me that she and DB put their hands up every day. The best part is only they know what it means, just like the many, many things that Rock and I share. Sometimes, we forget where we are - sorry, G.I.F.T. ladies. That was not my intention the other night. But in talking with these two ladies, I was reminded about what we have started - something different, something new, something that will awaken you. I have started a ripple effect on everyone that I meet, and I did not realize that I had done that. Even without really trying. Ripples can travel a far distance across whatever surface they are traveling and come in contact with many people along the way. I am amazed when people have suggested to other ladies that they come to the G.I.F.T. because they see the benefit in it and want to include them. When the ripple starts to lessen in strength, I drop another stone and create a new ripple that reaches out again. The ripple of this blog reaches across the globe to many other countries - people that I have never met, but somehow found me and keep coming back to read more - and it started with me telling just a few friends. You can be that ripple. Don't wait for it to come to you. Be excited to join a ripple and share it with others, like my G.I.F.T. friends are doing. Let your passion guide you and it will not be something you even think about. Do what you love. Share it with others. Start a ripple...it will be contagious.

Life happens in a blink

Where does time go? And why does it feel like it goes by so fast? I have been here for 43 years - couldn't really say, "I'd been alive for 43 years" because I didn't really begin living until 41. Even if I tried to name ONE thing that was the highlight of my year for every year, I don't think I could do it. Some years, there would be more than one so I would be unsure which one to pick. Other years, I might not be even able to find one. Not one highlight. 365 days of nothing worth mentioning, perhaps for even more days than that. There are 86,400 seconds in a day and 31,536,000 seconds in a year. It happens in a blink. Some days, I seriously wonder how did I get here. What road did I travel to get to where I am right now? Why did I pick this road and not another one? Do I really even remember "seeing a road" and consciously deciding to "pick that road"? In the next blink, it will be winter and one more takes me into spring again. What will happen between those two little twinkles in my eyes? It is hard to realize that perhaps my life is half over and when I look back at it, that is hard to comprehend. What have I done with my life that I am proud of and am glad when I did something? What people did I meet and now wonder where they are now? What do I wish I could do over, if I had the chance? Why didn't I live a different life? Why this one? All we have are little blinks, linked together by space and memories. Life happens before we know it did and yet, what do we do? We sit, we wait, we give up, we forget, we dismiss anything good. It happens way too fast anyway, so why wouldn't you want to make it be the best it could be as much as you can? Get up, quit stalling, have hope, remember, believe it can be different. All of these things will get you through today....until the next blink. Oh, by the way...by the time it took you to read it this, about 100 blinks happened. Just sayin.

Second chances

Everyone needs them. Sometimes, even when we don't deserve them. When we think there is no way that we could deserve them. I read something today that reminded me about second chances and wanted to share with you while I had it fresh in my head. Every time we make a mistake, every time we fall short, every time we hurt someone...there are second chances that can be had. I am not sure which is more difficult...the one asking for the second chance or the one giving it. When you are the one asking for it, you have come to the realization that you were wrong and that you have hurt someone you love. However, you also understand that you cannot change what has been done. You have to move forward. You have to try, anyway. You may come crawling on your knees, begging for forgiveness, and crying the entire time you are doing it. You are afraid that you will not get the chance to make amends, and that may be something you carry with you forever. Nothing makes a person more humble than asking for a second chance. You have made a choice to try to make things right as best as you can, with all that you are. On the other hand, if you are the person giving the second chance, then you have a choice still to make. You have to allow the person that hurt you or wronged you in someway to ask for the second chance. Once it has been asked, you can either tell them that they do not deserve it or forgive them. Sometimes, you want to do both. Because you are vulnerable and you still have pain and you want them to know, you are angry and full of questions that may never be answered. It may never make sense to you. It may not even make sense to them. But then, you have to decide...to let them go or hold on to them, in spite of being hurt. Inspite of crawling on your knees, begging to understand, and crying the entire time. Knowing that you may someday be the one asking for forgiveness. How much do you want that person to be in your life? Are you willing to fight for them, even if you makes you raw and vulnerable because you love them? Are you? When will you know when it is time to walk away, even if you haven't been hurt? Will it be clear to you or will you still wonder after you made your decision if it was the right one? Many times, we never know these answers ahead of time. I wish we did. You do not get a second chance at life - no do overs, no mulligans. You have one shot ONLY. What are you doing with your one shot? Doesn't every NBA star want to be able to slam dunk the ball? Isn't the biggest thing you can do in baseball is hit a grandslam? Are you living your life that way? Go for it all - always. No regrets. Think about second chances when they present themselves and follow your heart. It may be hard and nothing you would have guessed you needed, but it happened for a reason. To see what you are made of and how you will respond. Life has no second chances. Remember, your life started years ago and if you have not started living it yet, START TODAY!!!!!

STRT 2DY

Do you know what this says? This is my new license plate and it is a constant reminder about what reoccuring theme has been here throughout this entire journey. This blog is titled on purpose - It Starts Today. I am reenergized about what next steps must be taken as I continue making my inner soul shine. I have given time to myself that I never took before. I reflect on those things that are most important and am much more open with people around me. I am impassioned with courage, love, and freedom like never before. As I look back at how this whole thing began, I sometimes shake my head to think, "How did I get here?" It began over 8 months ago and I have confronted and accepted some of my worst fears in the process. I have made new friends, some of which have permanently left their footprints on my heart. I have grown in my outlook on life and am happier for it. Remember, that whatever it is that you have been putting off - tell yourself that it starts today. Everyday. It shows determination and confidence in whatever you want to do. Believe in yourself and follow your gut. Be glad you did it instead of regretting later that you didn't. It will make a difference and you will be better for it.