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.

Different paths we end up on

This weekend, I spent a lot of time trying to decide what my dream is since I asked you to do the same. One thing I have learned is that I cannot ask you to do something that I am not willing to do myself. To decide what your dream is, first you have to find your passion. What is your passion? A couple of weeks ago, a friend asked me, "What do you want?" I told her I did not know, but I think I am closer to that answer. I wrote some things down and did more with those thoughts than I have in the past. Here is the purpose of this post - I wanted to be a lawyer when I was in high school, and yet I am no where closer to that profession, nor do I desire to be. Due to decisions and circumstances, I ended up on a different path than I thought I had previously wanted. After reading many books about how people get stuck in jobs they hate, working long hours, and not really living, they come to their "Ah-ha" Moment (thanks, Oprah!) where they decide to really start living their life the way they want to live their life. Are you one of those people that feels stuck? I encourage you to find what you are passionate about and see what you can do to follow your heart. Sometimes, the things we think we want turn out not to be what we really desire and motivates us. The key is that we need to be open to change and other opportunities that otherwise we would not have even seen. Keep your eyes and hearts open and you may just find yourself on another path you did not know existed. Believe me, it may be the better one too. Make your Monday Marvelous!!!!!!!

Validation

Back in May, I titled a post, "Got Burned" where I mention about a kid that I worked with where he made a bad decision after I tried to help him. Today, without warning, he and his mom both stopped by my office. I was so excited to see him, even though he never came back to my office to tell me that he got in trouble again. He tells me nothing about his trouble but tells me that he graduated from high school, bought a new truck, and is in college studying criminal justice. Since I had never met his mom, I kind of mention to her about what kind of convesations her son and I have had over the months that I have known him. She tells me that although they came to the office for other reasons, that he told her he wanted to stop by my office to see me. She tells me he is so anxious, he just about runs down the hallway. As he gets ready to leave, I tell him that I am proud of him and hope he stops by again soon. He tells me he will. I believe him. Here is the key for me - him coming to my office, by choice, was huge validation for me. For those of you that don't know, I work with kids that make bad decisions and I encourage them to try to find the right path. Every now and again, I wonder if what I say really makes a difference in their lives, or do they just tolerate my lectures and look forward to the day that they are no longer in my office. Today, was validaton and confirmed that I had made a difference in this kid's life. He wants to be in law enforcement and he is working hard at achieving that goal. I can tell you this, when he is sworn in as an officer, I will be at that ceremony. He does not know that yet, but he will even, if it is 4 years down the road from now. On occassion, I have received thanks from kids for helping them, but I think this kid is different. Even his mom told me that she felt better coming into my office, even though I am not sure what I said. That just goes to show you that I am learning that the more I give freely of my talents, my heart, and my quest to serve others the more I receive. Isn't that amazing? The more you give, the more you receive - even in ways you didn't expect. I promise - it will come back to you.