"What is the one thing I still need to know", asked the boy.

The alchemist answered, "The one thing you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward the dream. That's the point at which most people give up. It's the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one 'dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared in the horizon.' "Every search begins with beginners luck. And every search ends with the victor's being severely tested."

The boy remembered an old proverb from his country. It said that the darkest hour of the night always comes just before the dawn.

~From the international best selling book, 'The Alchemist', by Paulo Coelho

It continues to amaze me how often we complicate such simple truths. So that when you think about your life, ponder how many times you have come against fear, pressure, obligation, and all of the other beasts lying in wait to challenge you as you attempt to achieve your life's purpose, they win out. Life simply becomes a rhythm of day in day out, ground hog days all sewn together one after the other, the 'life goes on' philosophy and somewhere, at some lost point in the journey, we forget we even had a dream or a purpose we once held dear. and in fact, how true could it be that many of us no longer have a clear vision of who we are, who is looking back at us each day as we throw a glimpse at the mirror?

What would it take for you to change that way of thinking, dare to rediscover a dream you put up on a high shelf some time ago and draw it close to you once more, claiming it as yours? Would you become alive once again? Ask yourself, 'What do I have to lose by focussing once more on what was a part of me in the first place?'

And what of the fear? Is it not true that suffering in the fear is by far worse than actually moving ahead in spite of it, using it for your purpose? When was the last time you took a fear you had and conquered it, only to feel worse afterwards? NEVER, I'd predict. But how many times have you chosen to stay well back, sitting in place unmovable simply because you allowed fear to hold you there. And the funny thing, the ironic thing is, fear exists only in our minds. We are the creators of the very thing that beats us down and holds us back from realizing all of the amazing things we are meant to be and do, create and have.

My challenge for you today is this - that you would take a moment or two to remember what makes you tick, what dreams you've placed aside and reclaim them once again. Then in doing so, you make the choice to walk with renewed strength and motivation to make your dream a reality.

Yes, it is darkest before the dawn. But it's in that darkest place where we learn the most about our character, our strength, our abilities and the reason for the dream in the first place. And then, once you have reached the other side, the dawn and thus the beginning of a new day, you get so much more than the realization of your dream. Everything you learn along that path of discovery and hope comes learning, growth, knowledge, courage, community, relationship, strength, faith and trust and I could go on and on.

Remember too, that we are all made from the same hand. So you are never alone. We walk towards our dreams and along the way we come along many others who are also walking towards their own dreams and we can share in the journey, laugh and cry and hope and dream together. Sounds like a great journey to me.

A Few Things I Learned by 40

Dreams don’t come true by wishing them. They come true by making the dream real.

You cannot have faith in anything without first having faith in yourself.

We are not meant to live this life alone. By sharing who you are with the people in and around your life, you build a support and a family that strengthens you and reminds you daily that you aren’t the only one with challenges, fears, hurts, etc.  etc.

We all need someone to smack us back to reality now and again. We need truth tellers in our lives. I am blessed to have more than one.

My dogs love me regardless of all of my flaws. They love me just because. And that feels pretty darn amazing – being loved in spite of anything and everything. It reminds me to try my very best and keep trying to love in such a way.

We make things harder than they need to be by complicating simple truths. Truth is truth.

Its better if I learn to take my own advice, since history and the human condition shows we often give better advice than we take.

There is nothing wrong with having a child like imagination when you are no longer a child. In fact, it’s pretty darn right.

There is no safer place than my mothers’ arms at any age.

I’d rather have a few very good friends based on being completely real and judgement free with one another, than have many friends for the sake of having many friends.

I am a sucker for hope. And I am grateful for that.

My joy comes from others happiness. It sends me to the moon to make another person smile. I am grateful for this too.

Integrity in everything you do should always come first, no matter the cost. And in fact, where integrity is concerned, there is no cost. There is only gain.

Even when life throws things at me I never expected, I can choose to find purpose and meaning in it, learn from it and move forward. Or I can choose to wallow in the questions of ‘WHY’, ‘WHEN’ and HOW’ and stand completely still. I have my moments, but eventually, I always end up making that choice to move forward. And what do you know? I am grateful for this as well.

It’s pretty tough to be your own cheer leader sometimes. And super rewarding to cheer someone else on. One more reason to be there for one another. We all need cheerleaders in our lives.

You are never too old to write your own song.

My favourite quote I stumbled on years ago has followed me to this very moment and still stands strong as a mission statement for my life. “You can have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing called failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.” ~Mary Pickford

Music makes me feel like I’m in a conversation with God. I open my mouth, and it’s just me and Him. I’m grateful for that.

There is no room in relationship for stubbornness and pride.

When my husband looks at me in just that way, my heart melts all over again. I see the gift in that and I’m grateful.

I will never stop learning and growing.

I need to have patience in myself.

40 years with a big brother, 38 with a little brother and 37 with my baby sister all taught me one thing – I can’t live without them.

Living by example is key in this life. My father shows me this every day in the man he is and has always been.

If I don’t believe in hope, I have NO HOPE! I choose hope. Every time.

That said, I choose to believe in the best of people first, rather than believe the worst.

My mother always called me a dreamer when I was a child, and in fact, even in my young adult years. She was right. I am a dreamer. I need to be reminded of that now and again.

You don’t need to take a vacation from your life to go on a soul journey.

Accountability can introduce itself into your life at any moment, so be ready.

Beauty comes in many forms. As long as you keep your heart open, you won’t miss a thing.

And gratitude? There is nothing like it. I am grateful for 40 years of learning, wisdom, mistakes, do-overs, love, friendship, family, security, faith and the belief and ability to start every day fresh and alive. Can’t wait.

These words included...

~Curiosity

~Communicate

~Community

~Connection

~Compassion

~Consideration

So what were we discussing to cause such an attack of 'C' words to ensue you ask?

I'd like you to ponder your life, day to day. In it, we are busy doing, being, making a living, getting by, flying through, hanging on, and even blindly living life habitually, quietly or not so quietly. Life is...Life is.

How many times have you walked by the homeless on the street? How many times have you seen someone broken down on the side of the road and driven by, even while your conscience told you 'I hope they're ok'? How many times have you felt the tug that you would like to help out, but there are too many and too much needed? We've all been there at some point in our lives, at some moment in our day. You might not even notice it in the busyness of life. Life is.

What if you were to help one person in need? What if you listened to your conscience on a fairly regular basis and put yourself out there for a moment? What if you were to look a homeless person in the eye and simply said hello, reminding them that they exist? What if you were to stop and help that person with the flat tire, let that person in who needs to change lanes, gave some change from your pocket, offered a stranger a helping hand in a time of need?

If I allow my curiosity to open my eyes to what is all around me, communicate what I'm already thinking, show compassion in even the smallest way, connect outside my safe life and help to build community all around me...what does it take from my life? What does it offer to my life?

Deeply, there is something inside of many of us that think in all or nothings. That if we cannot change the world in one action, that it might be best to leave to others. We believe that there are too many that are hungry and we cannot feed them all so why feed any? Too many need help and I'm just one person, so it's best I keep my head low, my eyes averted and just get on with my life?

This isn't about feelings of guilt, anger, frustration, opinion or judgement. It's about consideration. That if we simply consider the prospect of what our world could be like if each one of of us reached out with any or all of those 'C's...we bring hope to a hopeless world. Even better - hope to just one person! It starts there...and if each of us makes a concerted effort to stop assuming we can't do enough so we should do nothing at all...Embrace the idea that you can do SOMETHING - Look someone in the eye and smile at them, wanting nothing from them. Share a meal with someone who could use the company. Listen to someone who just needs to be heard, not fixed. Trust your instincts and let past judgements go. Believe in another person just for the sake of their needing to be believed in. Hold out your hand. Love more easily. Give more freely. Laugh more often...you get the idea here.

This is a season that naturally tends to bring out stress and joy and a desire to give, but it's every day that requires it, naturally.

And so we together, my friend and I, we communicate our conversation with you, connecting with compassion, in community, and in curiosity as we hope this message impacts you positively as you consider all we've shared here today.

May your day be filled with light and laughter and may you spread that all around you today and always.

It seems though that today I’m musing on this idea of purpose and I just had to share I with you.

What do we derive our purpose from? I’m thinking this through as I am wondering what drives us each and every day to get up out of bed and be happy. If you have no sense of purpose...can you be happy? I’ve spoken on happiness before, this idea that we choose happiness; make our own happiness as it is. Happiness does not just come to us, does not just exist in our life because our life seems to make sense at some points (and let’s not get started on that topic!) We choose...and so, what do we make then of the idea that we also choose purpose each and every day. That there is no magic fairy that sprinkles purpose on some and leaves the rest, the Universe did not derive some sick sense of pleasure by missing you on the purpose-giving handout. God does not give purpose to some and not to others. We choose.

Each of us has this innate feeling inside of us, a need if you will, to know that we have some kind of purpose for living on this earth. Some, many would say, go on a mission to understand their purpose in this life and work hard at trying to achieve that purpose, that goal that leaves a person feeling like they have accomplished something and so their life has meaning after all! Do you know what I mean here? Or perhaps at this point I am just rambling on...you get the point, right?

So here’s what’s kicking around in me...Where do we derive our purpose from?

I’m wondering if in all of the hype around purpose, at the end of the day, most derive their purpose from what they know and trust best - What they do each and every day.

For most, it is their job or ‘career’. They get up out of bed already turning over in their minds what they have to do when they get to work. It’s important after all, and hey, there is a pay check at the end of all that ‘purpose’.

For some it is their children. They live to grow these small wondrous beings into people who will make a difference in the world, deriving their sense in purpose in the hope they are getting ‘it’ right, but always with this fear of screwing up.

For others still, it is sense of trying to figure out how to change the world into a happier, safer, greener, starvation free, hatred free, altogether-as-one loving world...

I can’t help but wonder...what if you aren’t any of those I’ve just listed or ant of those I haven’t?

What if you are just an individual who likes their job just fine, is a god and decent person working to get through the day, never mind have tomorrow all figured out. Where should, would, could you derive your purpose from? 

Is purpose simply a part of who you are or is it what you do?

And if I was to ask you to tell me who you are...could you tell me?

 As always, I will leave you musing on this along with me...and as always, your thoughts and comments are welcome and necessary. J Let’s get this one figured out, have a bit of debate and see what comes up. 

Purpose is defined in the dictionary as “The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal”

 “And ever those, who would enjoyment gain/Must find it in the purpose they pursue” (Sarah Josepha Hale).

I'm musing on this today as I consider the ramifications of this sad truth. That as we grow in age, we diminish in imagination and the ability to clearly see who we are in such a way that we play to, utilize and live by our strengths and our inspiration.

Think back to being a 6 year old…Life is amazing! You wake up excited to meet each new day. Life is full of discovery and it's just waiting for you to meet it head on. Friendships mean everything to you. Happiness is yours, as you have no idea what the 'opposite' is. You are beginning to awaken to your abilities, the things that make you who you are as a unique kid…You want to be a star, you want to fly to the moon, you want to put out fires, you want to save the world, and there is no safer place than in your parents arms. Your daily goals include catching frogs, riding a bike, seeing how many licks it takes to finish a double chocolate ice cream cone, and building a fort with your best friend. Questions abound, about life, about god, about the universe, the family next door and why or why is the grass green and not purple? Life is…life is.

What happens along the way that in a span of a decade or even two, this amazing, hopeful person full of dreams, laughter, passion and discovery, belief and all those motivational words we today post on our walls, books and tattoo onto our bodies - what happens to them? What happened to us?

An even more important question….if by challenging ourselves to answer this question, can we find a way back there?

Marcus Buckingham, author and speaker, tells us that we are told that 'as you grow, you change'. He believes that this is a myth. That the truth is," that as you grow, you don't change your personality. As you grow, you become more and more of who you are.". Who we are is there from the time we are born and that same childlike wonder lies dormant in us, just waiting to be awakened, discovered and reignited.

If I was to ask you if you know who you are…what responds inside of you as you read this question?

If I was to ask you what your strengths were, what would show up for you?

And if I was to ask you if you are playing to your strengths…what answer comes through for you?

What percentage of your day is spent playing to your strengths?

If you can believe it, after thousands of people were asked by Buckingham, his research showed that a mere 2 out of 10 said they were playing to their strengths each day. 2 out of 10…

While the responsibilities are ever towering over you for the reasons why you can't afford to live and play to your strengths, I have got to ask the question…Can you afford NOT to? Take a look at the people just in the world around you that you know of, living on anti depressants, highly stressed, unhappy, divorced, angry, miserable, chameleons, fearful, hiding, broken, distrustful, resentful, dispassionate, full of excuses, hiding in the shadows of their frail lives.

Have I touched a chord? Does this resonate with you? Does it even describe you here or there?

So what can we do to change this?

By beginning to look at what is at the core of who you are, who you were made to be, the things that made you grin and get excited about as a child now as you think about them make you grin and get excited about…start here. Get into a space and allow yourself to go there. Write it down, in no particular order and don't think too hard. Just let go and put it down on paper.

Now, consider your strengths…do you know what your strengths are?

In my next installment, we will look at uncovering your strengths and together, will discover how you can play to your strengths and life your life more fulfilled and alive than you've been since you were a child. Ready for the ride? I know I am.

Till next time...

Have you ever been on the road driving home from work or headed somewhere and notice that someone is weaving in and out of traffic behind you, cutting off other drivers like an idiot and headed your way? Have you ever sped up to ensure he cannot do the same to you and even found yourself suddenly in battle for the same space on the road? Notice, you are now incensed, angry, edgy, in a fight on the road with a person you don't even know, all to make a point that HE is in the wrong? I'll let you imagine how that all turns out, but consider, how is your own behavior in this situation any different than his in this moment?

Recently, I've been a part of a very large group of people all debating over a name change. One person made the decision to change the name and in the same breath, many people all came at the decision, emotions at the forefront, in disbelief, anger, desperation, rebellion and yes, even respect. In those moments, all that came from this reactionary state was more debate, sparks more anger on issues just outside of the main issue at steak here and results became muddled.

Where am I going with this? I'm wondering, at what point do we need to just step back and let something sit for a bit with us so that we can make a CHOICE on how we move forward? For the person who is allowing the driver to take over the road and cause potential danger to everyone around him, choosing instead to simply ensure he is being a safe driver and getting out of the idiot drivers way...is he being ignorant and tolerant of the issue, or is he actually choosing to respond in a mature way, recognizing that on the road, there is very little he can do to change thie situation as it is except to be a better example? For the name change debate, is the person who is standing on the sidelines, taking it all in, watching the back and forth of ideas, concerns and critisisms and making the choice to come to their own understanding without throwing their hat into the debate...are they somehow at wrong here, or are they actually waiting to respond by first hearing what others have to say, letting it all be taken into consideration until their own conclusion has been decided on and they can then weigh in, calmly and wisely?

I wonder sometimes if we too often in our lives these days, place ourselves in a mode of reaction. Life is moving fast, we're all going some place, have to get something done, be something to someone else and the simple pace life used to be lived at, let's face it, these days is frenetic at best. I find it interesting that as life has gotten faster, our needs have become unfillable, we've become untrusting, the expectations countless, and we go go go, that our integrity, our respect for one another and relationship as a community has dwindled so that even when we encounter a person who is open, trusting and caring, we look at them as if we are unsure of who they are and what they really want. Wow, just reading that very long run on sentence makes me sad.

I'm musing on these thoughts today and wanted to share them with you. I think that by taking time to stop and think and let a situation show itself to us as we take it in, we can then make the choice to respond or react, verses no choice at all and just go in, all guns blazing and not even really understand why we are reacting in the first place. And that if we become collectively, a group of individuals that think first, act later, that we will find once again, those parts in us that are more needed now than ever - more trusting, respectful, great listeners, the great debators ( a great debator can see and understand both sides clearly before choosing their place) and ultimately, better peace makers.

As always, I would really appreciate your feedback on this one. It's a debate in and of itself, but be sure to first read it again, let it permeate a bit, consider both sides, before you send me your response. And I will look forward to hearing them.

Do you ever find that sometimes we can get so lost in the doing, that we forget to stop and breathe, forget to trace our steps, find a measurement, remember the reasons for our doing in the first place until we get to a point all at once where we feel lost and uncertain as to the next step?

I think sometimes we as women do too much. While we are totally capable, what limits should be in place to ensure that we are remembering to build into ourselves while at the same time building into the lives of others? Ask yourself, why is it that I feel that my life, my needs, my hopes and dreams are less important than others?

In discussing this lately with a few friends and business colleagues, I found that so many of us had the same belief - that it's somehow wrong to focus on ourselves and go after the things we want for this life. But none of us can answer where that started, why it permeates our society as a whole and why so few of us make a move to change this even when we know it is doing a disservice to ourselves. To be clear, what I'm saying is that we KNOW we are not living the life we want, but CHOOSE to do nothing to change it because we somehow believe it would be wrong. Wow.

What does it likely come down to? What it always comes down to, though we dare not speak it - FEAR.

We're afraid of rocking the boat, afraid of what going after our own hopes, dreams, desires and needs will do to the fragile state that is our lives. We're afraid of failing, afraid of I told you so's, afraid even of BELIEVING that we could be happier and more content because then, what would that mean?

Psychiatrist Anna Fels from Cornell University did a study on the role of ambition in women's lives and found that the women she interviewed hated the very word 'ambition'. For them, it necessarily implied egotism, selfishness, self-aggrandizement, or the minipulitive use of others for one's own end. None of them would admit to being ambitious. Instead, the constant refrain was, 'It's the work, not me". Oh yea...this stinks of fear. As you read this...how does it makes you feel? Are you one of these women? And if not, what is different for you?

It might not be the word ambition for you. It might be the word DREAM - you have responsibilities now, you don't have time to dream, right? Dreams are for children. It might be the word PURPOSE - you have a family, your purpose has been fulfilled, right? If you are searching for purpose, it might mean that you are somehow ungrateful or unhappy with your family, your life, your love? What form is the fear taking for you that is holding you back from looking directly into the mirror and truly seeing a reflection of you looking back.

This is what I am inviting you to do today. Simply consider those things I've mentioned today for yourself, your life. Then walk up to the mirror, look yourself up and down and tell me...what do you see? Are you happy? Content? Do I dare mention, do you even have joy in your life? When was the last time you did something just for you? I want to challenge you to remember it's not about ALL or NOTHING. We think this way a lot. I want to challenge you to find something in between that has you leaning towards the halfway point, the compromise, the leaning towards the all area. Because the truth is, it has to start with you. At some point, when you've no longer got anything left to give to you, you will have nothing real to give to others and the person looking back at you will be a shell of a person, holding the many faces she wears day in and out for others safely tucked into her back pocket, ready to be pulled out as needed throughout each and every day. I for one am exhausted just thinking of that. I for one want to search and ponder and challenge myself to work on me, in me and give to others the me that I was made to be. Authentic and beautiful and daring others to do the same. Why? At the end of the day, it's all the same. Hope in a hopeless world. I hope for me and today and every day after, I am hoping for you.

I hope this musing today finds you well and keep you pondering and working towards becoming authentically you. See you soon.

Inspiration literally means "breathed upon". When you consider this meaning, what comes to mind for you? For me, I can't help but think of the idea of oxygen...an infusion of pure oxygen, energizing me, opening my mind and boosting my motivation. It is human fuel.

When was the last time you were left feeling inspired by something you experienced, or shared with another person? When was the last time that you had the kind of idea or spark that created energy, motivation, life, excitement to build and grow and live your life afresh? When was the last time you felt so inspired that you were actually excited to face your future, your purpose clear?

These days, inspiration is a fuel that we are desperate for in a time of uncertainty. As a society, our attention and energy are draining as we focus on things out of our control - our economy, our health, our jobs, our climate, our society...

Inspiration has the power to take those things out of our control and push them to the background. It has the power to put a smile on our face, make us love easier and more freely, put music in our souls as we face each moment in the day and allow the space to allow our intuition and trust to guide our movements and our decisions as we LIVE our lives.

Where is your inspiration hidden? Is it in your hands each day? Do you utilize it, master it, is it a part of you? Or have you forgotten about it altogether? Has your ability to be inspired become nothing more than a romantic ideal?

I want to challenge you today to seek out your inspiration and allow it to breathe new life into you.By this simple conscious action, you choose to take a step forward in being present in your life today and every day after. And not only does your inspiration spark new life into you, but it flows outward, touching everyone around you because the truth is, there is no greater contagion than inspiration.

Be inspired and you will inspire others. Find your inspiration and you will hold the key to moving in the direction of your goals, your dreams and ultimate peace.

Be inspired. Just breathe...

As always, your comments and concerns mean so much. Feel free to share. It inspires me.

Edward Young

Procrastination is the thief of time.

There is a belief that procrastination is like laziness. That through a lack of effort and will, a person chooses to sit back and watch time pass, offering a varied excuse list of why our goals are not being met, our dreams not much more than a foggy idea.

Wikipedia actually describes procrastination with much more clarity. It states,

Procrastination is a behavior which is characterized by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite procrastination as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision. ^[1] Psychology researchers also have three criteria they use to categorize procrastination. For a behavior to be classified as procrastination, it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying.^[2]

For an individual, procrastination may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of personal productivity, the creation of crisis and the disapproval of others for not fulfilling one's responsibilities or commitments. These combined feelings can promote further procrastination. While it is normal for people to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.

When reading this description, what goes through your mind? Do lights suddenly come on for you?Think...what is it in your life that you are avoiding? I've been pondering the possibility that procrastination is, as well what is described above, a cause and reaction from one basic, real and fierce emotion - FEAR.

Fear has the ability to limit us, hold us back, pinning us beneath the veil of uncertainty, confusion, busyness, and anxiousness, all the while making us feel as if we are accomplishing nothing, so we're left deflated, demotivated, stressed and ultimately, feeling like we are failing.

Could it be that our fear is manifesting itself in the disguise of procrastination in order to AVOID the fear? What came first, the fear or the procrastination?

I'm thinking that if we consider those things that might be creating fear in our life, face them, challenge them and create new perspectives around them, suddenly procrastination will not be at play in our lives. Fear creating items might include...

- Fear of Failure

- Fear of Change

- Fear of the Unknown

- Fear of being Invisible

- Fear of Making the Wrong Decision for our Lives

Does any one of these resonate with you? No wonder we want to avoid dealing with these things and more. But consider the supports you can draw from to face the fear. Having a coach in your life can help you to reframe your perspective, create realistic goals that you can be proud of and set yourself on a path of action that will blow your fears out of the water.

I'd love to get your thoughts on procrastination and how you feel fear might play a role in it. Feel free to email me and if you are interested in delving into your personal challenge around procrastination, I'd love to offer you a free discovery session to help you make real change for the better. It starts with you. It can start today. How does the saying go? "Face the fear and do it anyways". Sounds good to me!

Today, I am having to think through who I am...not what I do, but what makes me who I am that I do what I do the way I do?

Have I lost you yet?

Ok, stay with me here....Here's what I'm musing on today...

When was the last time you didn't raise an eyebrow or make an offhand comment to your friend when someone just tells you that they are wonderful..that they have worked really hard and are really proud of themselves for something they accomplished, or for liking their new haircut, or for losing some weight? How many of us would react the same way if someone said, "You know, I really think I'm a great listener, and I really love to help people." Or, "Hey, I feel I have all kinds of gifts and strengths and I feel like I'm a good person."  Not likely you would hear someone say that. Even more likely is that there are not a whole lot of people out there who really believe that about themselves. Why is that?

Now think about the last time you encouraged someone in your world. When was the last time you held the mirror up to someone and showed them how special they are? Was it recently? If so, when was the last time you did it before this recent experience? Do you do it on a regular basis? Do you encourage others becuase it's your job or because you just like to do it? When was the last time you encouraged a stranger? Perhaps in a retail store and you see them on their own looking somewhat unsure if they can pull of what they have on? Have you ever been there and wanted to say something to let them know they look great, but you don't because you just don't know them and it wouldn't be appropriate?

I'm musing on the idea that I don't think alot of people know who they are because we, as a human race, do not really invite or encourage that kind of knowing. What do we exist for? Because if you think about it, we seem to be walking around this world trying to please everyone else by being something we are not, not ruffling feathers, not really challenging one another and for certain, not encouraging one another!  What do you think so far?

Ok, now here's the thing...I find myself, that if someone does encourage us, we do not take it seriously, we do not know what to do with it and we tend to pass it off...dismiss it, ignore it, make a comment over it, say thank you even, but we do not really take it seriously. Wow...this is really sad to me.

So this is my musing today and I just wanted to lay it out there, and as I think about who I am and what I offer because of who I am, I invite you to do the same. And if you didn't already guess it, yes, I'm asking you also to consider encouraging someone today. This inspires hope. And really, if we do it enough, perhaps at some point, we might even begin to believe it! And then who knows what could happen! Be an encouragement to others. Believe in yourself and who you are and what you have to offer to those around you. You are here with a purpose. Let's lift one another up. And in doing so, it's a bonus really, because you'll be lifted up in the process.