Life is not a "collectible"

There are a lot of people who “collect” things. Barbie© dolls, Hot Wheels © cars, and baseball cards to name a few. I have seen something on TV where people had the biggest board game collection and the most Pez© dispensers in the world. How many of us can have something so exciting and never open the box? We have it, but it sits on a shelf and collects dust. We may look at it from time to time, but we never use it as it was intended. Some days, it may catch our eye and we wonder the same thing every time…is it less valuable because we take it out of the box? But because we are afraid of it losing it’s value, we don’t touch it. We admit we have it, but that is as far as it goes. Guess what…life is not a “collectible”. Life is not meant to sit on a shelf and collect dust. It is not meant to be admired from inside some cellophane wrap in a shiny cardboard box. But how many of us have “collected” life? As much as I would like to admit that I haven’t, I have. I was careful, cautious girl. I sat on the shelf as life passed me by, never thinking that I had any other choice. Now, I know better. Now, there is NO way I am going back on that shelf! Today is a significant day for me as this day marks the 4th anniversary of the day my life changed forever. In some ways, it seems not that long ago but in other ways, I cannot believe all that has happened to me in 4 years. I have been pushed further than I ever thought I could go. Walls that I had spent a lifetime building are still there, but are much smaller. Running has taken on a whole new meaning. I have become stronger because of adversity. People have come into my life that have given me such joy that I am so glad I didn’t miss those moments. I believe in chances and second chances. There is nothing worse than living with regrets, so I have chosen to open the “box” of life and get in the game. Are you sitting on a shelf, wasting the time you have been given? WHY??? Instead of you collecting things that never get used, you have become to be the “collected.” Your life is not meant to be wasted in that way. Do you know how many people who wish for another day to do what they didn’t get a chance to do? Just ONE more day? We are meant to grow and to change. Time is precious and we must not waste it. Don’t sit on a shelf any longer. Wipe off the dust you have collected. Today, the new beginning of your life starts today. Four years ago, it did for me. I just never knew it. Now you know that it can happen for you too. Just remember, “Today is Your Day” by Shania Twain Michelle A. Homme 2013 ©

"It's Time: Changing Your Life Starts Today" is published!!

My first book is now available!! Click here

Here we go!!!

I know I have not written on this blog for some time, but wanted to spend a minute or two updating you all and letting you know that I am still here. For my most current posts, visit www.constantchangetoday.com where you can follow me on Twitter (@ItStartsToday), "like" Constant Change on Facebook, or be a followers to receive the posts directly to your email address. BIG NEWS!! I am writing my first book which I will have done by the end of November. I will edit it in the following months, along with the help of some others. I am a little nervous about it, but am sure that this is my next step. And how are you? Have you taken those steps to change your life? Don't be afraid -- don't let anyone tell you it's impossible -- don't ever give up. Wishing you all the best and hope to see you soon!

Constant Change Today

My life keeps changing for the good and I hope you all are still continuing to change your life. I don't usually update at this blog, because I now only update only at and you can also follow me on Facebook (Constant Change) and on Twitter (@ItStartsToday) Your life is wonderful if you choose to see it that way and we are only here for a short time. How do you want to be remembered? What do you want people to say about you, when you are not around? Can you give more? Do you love enough? Keep asking yourself what makes you happy so that your dreams can come true. Even if it takes years, never give up. Be grateful for what you have and humble enough to accept that which is given to you. You are Constantly Changing!

Change of location!!! - MUST READ!!

As of today, I have moved my blog to a new location and will no longer be updating posts here. Please visit www.constantchangetoday.com as I have now incorporated my website and my blog into one location to make it easier for everyone. I could not have done this without the help of CH, and I owe him much more than a Starbucks coffee!! I still have lots to share and look forward to seeing you all at WWW.CONSTANTCHANGETODAY.COM

Show up

You HAVE to be here. There is no other way around it. I posted about being there and this might be a tag onto that as well. Quit watching life pass you by and you need to make sure you show up, because it waits for no one. Once you are born there is only one quarantee for each of us...that at some point we will die. That is a given. I didn't show up to life until about two years ago and have made huge strides in saying what I need to say, expressing who I really am, and encouraging others to follow their dreams as I pursue my own. I did not realize that I loved to write like this...I mean I studied political science in college so there is a lot of writing that goes with that, but a slightly different subject. I have opened my heart, truly giving everything to everyone I love and care about. I am sure that I have given more than expected, but cherished all the same. Memories that are tucked away will never be forgotten. Friendships have been created on nothing more than a quick "hi" that quickly developed into something that I have never had before and will always hold dear. ALWAYS. I have gone way outside my normal confort zone and have began sharing my look on life and my thoughts and attitude with others and hope that it continues to make a positive impact in their lives. But you have to show up. I have to show up, too...everyday. You can't just find an excuse and say, "I'll do it tomorrow." NO!! The name of this blog is a cornerstone of what I have been saying all along..."IT STARTS TODAY!" Show life that you are ready to take on whatever it wants to throw your way...show people who you are...show the world what you are capable of today. Show up when people don't expect you to and spend less time thinking about yourself. It is not always about YOU. Even when you are not sure you will do it right. Even when you are exhausted because you have been on your feet for 12 hours that day. Even when you want to run because it is easy. Show up.

Standing on a star

Has this ever happened to you? When you felt like there was nothing bigger than you, right at that moment, and NOTHING could change it? Today, that is how I feel. Like I am standing on a star. Not because I am better or bigger than anyone else, but today is a day for me. People that know me very well know that I am not one to shout, "Yay for me!", but today is different. It is different because tonight is another piece of the puzzle coming together regarding my dream. I have two passions and dreams - one, to be a life coach for women and that began two months ago with the G.I.F.T. and two, to be a motivational speaker for teenagers and my first speech for that is tonight. People have asked me if I'm anxious or nervous about tonight but I'm really not. I really like my speech and the one person who got the trial run beforehand, liked it too. I made some minor additions (can't believe I forgot THE question...LOL) and I hope it gets people to think, but it may not affect just the teenagers in the room. Maybe the impact is greater. I do not know what comes next. It really doesn't matter and is out of my control. I can only continue to do what I am doing, giving it my all, and things will happen as they are meant to. Today is another step towards everything I see in my future. I also want to thank everyone who has been on this crazy ride with me...I would not be here without you and hope you know how much you mean to me. TYFE. So tonight, when you look up at the night sky, you just might see me as I will be standing on the brightest star! Atta, girl!

And here we are...

Many months ago, I started on a journey I did not anticipate on taking, nor did I know how I would get there. Needless to say, I took chances in places where I had only run from these same opportunities in the past. I found it interesting today that Rocky and I had very similar thoughts, although we had not shared them until today with one another. When left to my thoughts alone, I can do damage as to whether I proceed or not into a new way. I have mentioned before that it is difficult to remember how I got here...I remember moments here and there and acknowledge that certain things were said. Rocky said it best when she described it as a "blur". Something where you can kind of distinguish shapes and colors, but nothing really seems clear. Yes, yes, that is how I usually see things in the morning anyway, so Rocky has to point out when someone is walking/running near us so that I know. Several months ago, we started this journey at not quite the same time, with different questions to answer, but ultimately, we ended up beginning the rest of our lives on September 27, 2011. Another date to remember, Rock! Today, Rocky's dream became a reality and even put a little change in her pocket, too. Tonight, she was my biggest Mick as I began a dream of mine with the G.I.F.T. I couldn't really process everything that was going on tonight, and still probably can't. Today, I got to see her bloom again and I even did a little bit of blooming myself. As I try to gather my thoughts and write what I think and feel right at this moment, the words are hard to come by. How can that be? For me? Speechless? Yes, it does happen every now and again. But I think it is not that I don't feel or think anything right now...I think it is that there is so much going on in my head and heart that I cannot develop clear, consice sentences to get us from one place to the next. Retracing our steps to try to recall where we were so many months ago is futile. Through it ALL, Rock, I wouldn't change a thing. Not one. Because changing just one would take us off course and things would be different than how they are now. I choose this. You choose this. Two hands. A & E. And even though we cannot draw the road map to show others how we got here, somehow we made our own path with everything we brought with us at the time. I'm grateful for the trip and know I could not have taken it without you. It wasn't always pretty, and it wasn't always easy. But it is ours - yours and mine - and we will always have the yesterdays, with many more years of our tomorrows that are yet to be. What started with something so easily overlooked countless of times before, became what you see now. What we feel now. What we say now. What we know now. Two friends who could be sisters know that now is the time for us. And here we are...together. There are no other words to say that can mean more, but thank you for all I have learned from you, from the love you have given, and ultimately, for being there for me. Although some of it is a little out of focus at times, today certain aspects became very clear. We couldn't and didn't plan it happening this way. Today, my closest of friends, it started today for the both of us and I am so happy we did it together.

A New Beginning!

Today is YOUR day! Yes, I am talking to YOU! No, you do not need to look around to see if I am right behind you. But I am with you. Always. As I was on my morning walk (yes, I walked today as I do on some days), I was watching teh light orange glow of the upcoming sun crest over the roofs of the houses in my neighborhood. It is a new day. It has not been decided yet as to what will be in front of you or how things will occur, but you have some control of how you plan your day. Yesterday, I was asked if I was in a bad mood by someone I work with alot. i seem to really be picking up on the negativity and that gets old after a while. I told him, "no" because I wasn't and I was choosing to take on the day as it was before me. How do you want your day to play out? What are you doing to change your life? Have you done anything since you started reading? What holds you back? If it is just fear, then "feel the fear and do it anyway" - get on with it. Take a deep breath. Have faith in all that you are and are yet to be. Your day is today. Someone I know is starting her new journey and today is her first real day of that trek. She begins her new life and all that it has in store for her. I was a runner before I knew I was a runner. I ran away from life, never really engaged in it. Now, I run at it because I am not going to let it get away any more. How do you want to live your life? You can begin anew - you can take one step - you can. Have you ever seen, "Kung Fu Panda"? The premise is that this goofy, overweight panda is supposed to be the town's hero and fight the "bad guy". He keeps looking for the "secret ingredient" so he can make sure he has the right "recipe" so that he can achieve victory. The problem is that he keeps looking for it elsewhere...truth is, it lies within him. You are the secret ingredient for your NEW beginning. Once you believe it, you will have all the power you need. There is no need to look anywhere else. Your beginning starts today. Congratulations!

An Army of One

Do you know what you can do as an army of one? We show how strong we are when we are willing to stand alone. We know it may be temporary, but who hasn't had that experience when you are in a group of people and you know that no one, no one, wants to be the first one to say or do something. But isn't it amazing how many people will follow suit after someone else has broken the ice for them? It makes it easier to follow when someone else has already paved the way for you. "Conformity is only popular when it is the majority." Someone has to take the first step in order for there to be a second and so forth. I have no familiarity with the military, but I know what it means to go into battle. I know what it feels like when you think you are alone and no one will come to help or stand beside you. A brigade is a fleet of personnel that will assist you and that is what we are here to do for you. Right now, I feel like an Army of One. I question my strength, but never, ever do I question my committment to doing what my heart tells me to. I told a young lady last night that I was pursuing a new adventure and told her mom and they both were very excited about it. I will have some upcoming meetings that may take that new adventure to places I have never been. As much as I am nervous about this new journey, I have to try. I have to give it my everything. Are you willing to stick your neck out there and try something you always wanted to, but haven't? It begins with one dream, followed by the passion fueling that dream, then one question, and then one step closer to making that dream a reality. It starts with you...everyday...to change the world, if even your world. Sometimes people notice when you change, and other times they don't. But you notice. This started as an Army of One, but over the last 16 months has become something that has grown in ways I never imagined. Someone very dear to me gave me a book that she inscribed, "I hope 2011 brings you all you have ever dreamed of and more than you could ever imagine." So far, this year has been more than that and we are not even to June. Start your own army. Remember, It Starts Today.