Each year, cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of approximately 17.9 million people worldwide, making it the leading cause of death worldwide. These statistics emphasize the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to combat this global health crisis.

However, despite the numbers, many overlook and ignore the significance of caring for their cardiovascular health.

This article aims to empower readers with information and practical tips on enhancing their heart health and spreading awareness about its importance to others. Whether you are looking to improve your well-being or to help those around you, understanding and applying effective strategies for prevention can make a significant difference.

By embracing this information, you can contribute to a world where fewer lives are lost to cardiovascular diseases.

No. 1

Participate in Education and Community Programs

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your heart health. You can deepen your understanding of cardiovascular diseases and how they affect people worldwide by joining community and educational seminars that discuss these topics. These programs offer valuable information about the basics of heart health and the latest research findings. 

You also get to meet like-minded individuals who share the same concerns and interests regarding cardiovascular health along with professionals who will teach you all you need to know about the human heart.

When you participate in these events, you also get to go home with freebies like custom wristbands or personalized items like t-shirts and caps. These items remind you of your commitment to heart health and can become tools that you can use to spread awareness about the cause. 

No. 2

Eat Food that is Good for the Heart

A heart-healthy diet is a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention. Plan your meals around foods beneficial for cardiovascular health, like whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. These foods supply the body with essential nutrients while minimizing the intake of unhealthy fats, cholesterol, and sodium.

Moreover, omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon and trout can lower the risk of arrhythmias and decrease triglyceride levels. Incorporating these foods into your diet can reduce heart disease risk and promote health. 

No. 3

Participate in Social Media Campaigns and Public Events

If you are eager to raise heart health awareness and spread the word, you can simply harness the power of social media platforms. You can share, repost, or create your content about heart health tips, success stories of persons who survived deadly cardiovascular diseases, and recent studies related to cardiovascular health. 

When there are public events related to heart health awareness near you, like charity runs, health fairs, and screening days, take the opportunity to join these activities. These events, whether online or offline, create a sense of solidarity and motivation among the community. It also enables a society that values and actively pursues better heart health.

No. 4

Engage in Regular Physical Activity and Exercise

Regular physical activity is vital for maintaining a healthy heart. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, complemented by muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days.

In addition to lowering the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, exercise also helps control weight and improve mood and mental health. You may maintain a regular fitness program by picking an activity you enjoy and can do daily, whether it is a dance class, cycling, swimming, or brisk walking.

No. 5

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Achieving a healthy weight is essential for heart health, as excess abdominal weight elevates the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Try to practice a sustainable lifestyle and manage your weight by incorporating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and portion control.

You can regularly track your Body Mass Index (BMI) scores and book consultations with a healthcare provider to monitor your progress and maintain your weight goals.

No. 6

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake

Smoking and alcohol are two of the most significant risk factors for developing chronic heart diseases. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels, which leads to the narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and can ultimately result in a heart attack. Quitting smoking is a critical step towards improving heart health.

Likewise, limiting alcohol consumption can prevent the likelihood of high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy. If you or someone you know is having trouble quitting their vices, there are many effective resources available that can assist you, from nicotine replacement therapies to support groups.

No. 7

Manage Your Stress Effectively

Chronic stress exposes the body to elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to heart damage over time. To avoid this, it’s best to adopt stress management techniques in your daily routine, such as exercise, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies.

Moreover, you can seek support from friends, family, or professionals for emotional comfort and stress relief. Recognizing and managing stress improves your quality of life and aids in the prevention of heart-related health issues.

Takeaways

Heart health is not solely the absence of disease but a state of overall well-being that enables you to enjoy life to its fullest. The strategies discussed in this article are essential to enhancing your holistic health and helping you lead by example in other communities.

The journey towards a healthier heart is a collective one that requires the support, encouragement, and participation of everyone who believes in its cause. When you share your knowledge and actively participate in awareness initiatives, you can make a difference in the lives of many.

Every step you take towards improved heart health is towards a healthier, happier life for yourself and those you love.

There has never been such a greater time in our history where our lives and wellbeing have been more uncertain than ever. With countless catastrophic world events taking place, such as the recent Maui fires, and many other inexplicable disasters, it becomes increasingly apparent that taking life one day at a time is a daily approach we can all benefit from.

Paiute Indian Reservation, Las Vegas, Nevada @hellolovelyliving

As questions surmount worldwide as to the causes of all the turmoil we now face, living in the present has significant advantages for our mental health and wellness. We can not change the past, and we do not know the future. So, what good is it to live in these states when all it will bring is distress? From staying present to being more productive, in this article, we will discuss a few benefits of taking life one day at a time.

No. 1

Moving forward

Many of us live in a what-if kind of state. This can be harmful to our way of thinking and only serves to drag our emotions down. It is true that we all have experienced challenges and will continue to face them throughout our lives. Some of us have even faced traumatic events that we can not simply move past without help. Thankfully, we can always choose to keep moving forward with our lives because we have the power to create a better future for ourselves and our families.

For those facing post-traumatic stress disorder in particular such as a veteran, for example, seeking VA rehab treatment for issues like drug and alcohol addiction following trauma is always a viable option. There is no better time than now to seek the treatment and healing that you need to move forward and prosper. Oftentimes, breaking harmful cycles over which we feel we have no control takes one step forward to bring forth a dramatic shift in the direction of our lives.

No. 2

Being in the Moment

It is far too easy to get stuck looking at the past and worrying about the future. Yet, as humans, we can not help this no matter how hard we try to avoid it. Since we were raised on the assumption that time is linear, this makes it very difficult to see that there really is no other time that exists than now, and by focusing on the past or future, we miss what is right there in front of us—the real blessing.

By placing our attention outside of what is happening now, our perceptions get distorted. Once a moment is gone, it is gone forever, and we may never have the same opportunity again to appreciate how significant that moment was. Life is meant for living, so try to avoid getting overwhelmed by life. Take it one day at a time as it comes so that you can appreciate the things that you really don’t want to miss out on, whether it be self-care activities for groups that make you feel connected, the joyous laughter of your child, or simply the beauty of nature around you.

No. 3

Living mindfully

Health and well-being are vital for a meaningful life. And when you take life moment by moment, you learn to become more self-aware and more conscious of what you need. This means you can look after yourself much more optimistically and mindfully than previously.

In doing so, you learn to understand what you need, when you need it, and how to get it. Living like this helps you thrive rather than survive, and over time, you will learn to bring together all the tools needed to add value to your days. Applying what you have learned throughout your life allows you to see everything as a lesson so that things become more manageable with time, and you have a wiser approach to life.

No. 4

Being More Productive

Further to adding value to your days, motivation increases much more when you learn to take what the day has for you rather than obsessing about how bad the working day could be. Rather than focusing on the tasks you do not enjoy, consider them a challenge and rise to meet them one by one. Remember the skills you have, who you will have the opportunity to interact with and exchange ideas with, and how you are capable of contributing your talents. Being more aware of this means you will only work harder and better and feel rewarded when all is said and done.

No. 5

A Better Partner 

Living one day at a time helps you exist better with those around you. Rather than becoming a victim of violent mood swings because of anxiety and uncertainty, you can gain a better understanding of self-discipline. You can then gain control over your emotions and become more pleasant to be around when you do this. This also helps you identify the behavior patterns and triggers that are bad for you so that you can remove them from your life a little at a time until you find peace.

Takeaways

While we as a society face many additional challenges beyond the comforts of our home, moving past our inner struggles allows us to conquer half the battle. By moving past the things you no longer have control over through living in the present, you gain freedom that can only propel you forward. In this space, you are in complete control over the direction you choose and have the power to create a better experience for yourself—one that can change the course of your entire lifetime.

Whatever you are struggling with today, be it something from the past or something yet to happen, know that you can choose this moment to decide that the only thing worth measuring is your present awareness and your approach to what comes next. Seek continual growth, and you will discover that there is so much more to be grateful for in the now. Yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow can wait. So, enjoy this very moment, and be alive and well.

Have you ever heard the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” or “I am the way I am”?

These sorts of sayings are there to convey a very specific message—namely that there’s a particular status quo in effect specifically with regard to someone’s behaviors, lifestyle, and personality traits—and that this status quo simply can’t, or shouldn’t be tampered with.

source

Sometimes, these phrases will be trotted out by people who are nervously trying to prevent “friends” or family members from embarking on ambitious campaigns to change or improve their lives, but more often, people will apply these catchphrases to themselves in order to justify why they are avoiding the hard work of trying to pursue self-improvement in one way or another.

Sometimes, we are resistant to embarking on a self-improvement crusade, because we are fundamentally insecure about our ability to actually make meaningful changes and get the most out of life and don’t want to have to confront the possibility of failure head-on. Even pain you’ve lived with all your life like TMJ pain and chronic jaw pain can be resolved with the right treatment.

At other times, we may be jaded enough to genuinely believe that any such effort is ultimately pointless and that we are just stuck being the way we are, come hell or high water.

Ultimately, though, a life that is lived based on the assumption that self-improvement is impossible is bound to be a deeply unfulfilling, stressful, and nihilistic life, in a variety of ways. On the other hand, believing that you have the ability to steer the ship of your life as you see fit is a recipe for improved autonomy, happiness, and achievement.

So, if you’ve been telling yourself negative things about your own ability to change your circumstances, here are a few reasons why it’s never too late to improve your life.

One

Because it’s a big world, and it’s guaranteed you haven’t tried every solution yet

Here’s a pretty undeniable point: It’s a big world, and the world is full of all sorts of different people, pastimes, careers, productivity, lifestyle strategies, and so on.

If you feel as though there are specific problems in your life that are insurmountable, a clear question to ask before you allow yourself to surrender hope is “have I tried every possible solution yet?”

No matter who you are, no matter what specific situations you are faced by, it is guaranteed that you have not, in fact, explored every potential avenue, or tried every potential solution.

If you’ve tried many different things in order to address a particular problem in your life, and those things haven’t worked, the most empowering and accurate way to look at that situation isn’t “there’s no way for me to get past this,” it’s “I’ve found a bunch of ways that don’t work, so I must be getting closer to some solutions that do work.”

Giving up early is a choice. It’s a way of relieving yourself of the responsibility of having to keep pushing forward. But it’s not inevitable, and it’s unlikely to ever be due to the fact that you’ve actually tried everything, and just haven’t found a solution.

Two

Because anything you do to make things better, even by a small degree, will create a positive ripple effect

It is possible to end up in a situation in your life where you feel that there is no way that you could really make dramatic and sweeping changes to the way things are or achieve enormous things in a certain span of time.

Even assuming that these points were true, however—and there’s no reason to assume they are—this still overlooks the fact that even the smallest possible actions you could take on a daily basis, such as consulting an anti-procrastination helper, would have a significant impact that could reach far beyond your own personal life.

Something as simple as mowing your lawn can motivate your neighbors to do the same and might end up changing the entire neighborhood, in a subtle but meaningful way. Likewise, taking small steps to get your own life in better order can dramatically improve the net happiness of the people who love and care about you, and who are invested in your well-being.

There’s a powerful reason why it’s never too late to improve your life—because you don’t need to suddenly become the CEO of a multimillion-dollar company in order for any change or improvement you make to be deeply meaningful. You just need to do something—anything at all—in order to make things a bit “better,” and you will create a ripple effect that can spread further than you might ever have imagined.

Three

Because changing the kind of person you are has more to do with your daily systems than your overarching goals

A lot of the most successful and renowned people in the world, in different domains, had no idea that they were on track to achieving that success, until it one day “happened” as if by magic.

There are plenty of world-renowned authors, musicians, and other acclaimed public figures, who were just “doing their thing,” and then eventually became rich and famous because of it.

The reason why this can happen is that becoming a certain kind of person has a lot more to do with your daily systems and habits than it does with your overarching goals.

Many people set very ambitious goals for themselves, and of course, far fewer people actually achieve those lofty goals. If you set yourself a goal such as “I will be a million-dollar painter within three years,” you may well not achieve that goal. But, if painting is something that means a lot to you, and you set yourself a daily “system” or “habit” of painting for an hour or two every day, your life will improve in various ways, thanks to that. And, maybe you will end up becoming a great success as a result of it.

source

One of the major implications of this is that “transforming your life” for the better, doesn’t have to mean “achieving an ambitious goal” at all. It can—and generally should—mean changing the kind of person you are today, in terms of your everyday actions. And the effects of doing this can be quite tremendous.

These past few weeks, I've been thinking about the direction my content is taking, and I want to bring it back to me being able to express myself more. Writing is such a therapeutic outlet for me. I feel like certain platforms are not very suitable for sharing many of the deep thoughts and conversations I want to be having. This is where my blog comes into play. I want it to be a space where I can share myself in full transparency and be able to talk about things that are important to me on a more personal note.

I get the question a lot about what I "do", and in all honesty, this is a very complicated question for me to answer because I am not a cookie-cutter personality that can be perfectly packaged. I have accepted the fact that I do not fit a certain type of mold that is easily digestible. I accept the fact that I am not for everyone and that some people may not have the time or patience to understand me or what I have to offer.

With that said, I am creating a brand that is my own and not forcing myself into a niche or category that limits me and makes me feel trapped. Today, it is easy to listen to advice that says that you have to do this, that, and the other to succeed. I need to put one fact out there into the universe: I was never one to follow the rules or do what everyone else is doing. I do what I want and how I want to do it. I do not believe in limiting myself or allowing other's opinions to drive my creativity. I truly operate from my heart, and when I feel like I am veering away from that, it genuinely hurts me.

If you look all around in today's creative community, you'll see that everyone is able to carve out a space for themselves that is uniquely theirs. That is happening today, and that is the climate of the future. Everyone is their own brand. Everyone has something valuable to offer by simply being themselves. I see that authenticity and vulnerability is at the core of all of this. In that same token, it is realizing that you will not be for everyone, and that is ok. The people that do connect with you will truly be for you, trust in you and your work, understand what you have to say, and want to support you naturally because they have a genuine connection with you. It's important to never compromise your value to please someone else when they have expectations that go against the very fabric of who you are.

I came across a video last night by Brendon Burchard, and it is a message that I'd like to share with you as well. It was on the topic of what to do when people don't support you. Basically, anyone's opinions, criticisms, and judgments are none of your business. People are not required to do anything for you, just as you're not required to do anything for them. There is a common exchange that happens when, oftentimes, we take what people say or do, and we use that to influence the direction of our thoughts and actions. That is completely unhealthy to do. Instead, we need to be focusing on our goals, aspirations, and dreams and putting energy toward that - not what anyone has to say in response to it. Not everyone is going to understand us, and it is not our job to explain ourselves to people who are committed to misunderstanding us. 

I hope this maybe sheds some light for you if you are a creative or just someone who is feeling discouraged. Truly, no one has that power over you, so don't feel so pressured to do anything that you are not comfortable with. You are a respectable person with integrity by choosing to stand your ground. We are more than what we do, and at the end of the day, we have the choice of what direction we want to take whether or not anyone agrees with it.

What are your thoughts and experiences on these topics? I'd really love to hear your story and how you've dealt with these things. It would really help me, and I'm sure many others.

I hope that you enjoyed that little diary entry. In this series, I want to really be open to discussing any topic that I feel is on my mind. It's a way to open the communication for us to not feel alone about things that are often hidden and that are too taboo to talk about on a perfectly curated feed. If you have any topics or things you'd like me to touch on, do feel free to post those in the comment section below. This is a space where we can talk about real topics that impact us and is a safe zone to share things without judgment.

Before I end this post, I'd like to share a little bit about my glasses that I'm wearing in these photos! What do you think of them? Personally, I am absolutely obsessed with them and haven't taken them off since haha! Actually, before I get into how much I love them, I wanted to share a little side-note with you. The truth behind these photos that you see here is that I just had one of those moments where I just needed to breathe and get away and have a moment to process everything that's been going on in my life right now. These were candid moments where I was literally at the end of my rope, and I didn't know how to make myself feel better other than get into an empty room and have a minute to myself.

Honestly, it really helped to just get away for a moment (even if that was just to my bathroom) haha! I know other moms do this! It's really so important to set aside time for yourself so that you can process things in a healthy way. Anyway, back to the glasses! I chose a tortoiseshell frame because I have always wanted to own a pair. These are from Glasses Gallery, and I actually had several choices, but this is the one I settled on.  It is from a brand called Evisu, which is a Japanese brand. One thing that I loved about Glasses Gallery is that they have a virtual try-on feature, kinda like a Snapchat or Instagram filter! It was so fun trying out some of the glasses. Uriah also got in on the fun as you can see below!

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Can you believe that these frames are only $95. Of course, prescription lenses added onto that price, but I think this is so worth it because they offer designer glasses that are so affordable. They are actually currently having a promotion for free prescription lenses on select frames for $95, so do check it out. It did take a little over a week for me to receive my glasses because they did ship from Hong Kong and USPS was late a couple days, but I am very pleased with them, so it was worth the wait. I am so glad that they match my face shape and that they fit so well because I had never physically tried them on, so I was a bit worried that I may not like them. It really did help that they had that try-on filter because it eliminated me having to wait for frames to try on, return those, then wait again for a pair that I decided on. In actuality, this process is a lot quicker in that sense.

I highly recommend Glasses Gallery if you are looking for an online retailer that offers designer eyeglasses, sunglasses, and sports glasses at affordable prices. You're sure to find something that you like. I was impressed because they have brands like Marc Jacobs, Ray-Ban, and Jimmy Choo along with various others for any look or budget. I personally am not into designer brands, which is why I strictly went on look alone, but I did appreciate that they did have such a great selection for me to choose from.

Okay, I think that's it for this post! Don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments below, and I look forward to another Dear Diary very soon. xo

what topics do you want to hear about in my next dear diary?

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A special thank you to Glasses Gallery for partnering with me on this post. Be sure to check them out for all things glasses!  

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.

Spring has sprung! Seeing the sight of trees in bloom not only gets me excited for warmer months, but it refreshes my perspective and it reminds me that there is beauty in the wait. There are so many subtle reminders in nature that provide the lessons that we need, and I believe that nothing happens by accident. There is a reason for everything. However, like my quote illustrates below, although everything happens for a reason, some things happen for a season.

Yes, we'd all like to believe that everything lasts, but the reality is that life is transient by nature. Things happen that shake up our very existence only to challenge our ability to stand strong in the midst of it. What happens on that testing ground determines the outcome of our circumstances.  

I was having a talk with my son, Kodi, and he made a statement that was so profound. "Thoughts are fluid." I mean, coming from a 14-year-old, that simply blew me away. What he meant by this statement was that you can't control people's thoughts. They change. People change. I mean! Proud mama moment right there.

If thoughts are fluid, we as human beings are, too. We were not meant to be in a solid, permanent state. We were meant to move and adapt. Just like every living thing adapts to the changing seasons, we must do the same. We must also learn to recognize unhealthy patterns in our life and initiate change. 

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“Sometimes we grow
in a twisted, sideways manner
rather than straight up

but in the end,
our branches
always seek the light

and the trees
that bear
the sweetest fruit
endure
the longest winters.”

— April Green

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As the new season approaches, I just want to encourage those of you in particular that may be going through a difficult season. Know that it is not meant to destroy you, but to build you. It will not last forever, it will pass. 

Get excited when there is a time of resistance in life because that is the very time when your strength will come out. You don't know how much you have within you until you are tested. Take this time as an opportunity to bring out the best in yourself and develop areas that you haven't really paid attention to. Shed the old, welcome the new.

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In my personal experience, I've learned how to recognize the different seasons of my life for what they are and not be resistant to whatever lessons that I am supposed to learn in those moments. I actually get really excited when things get hard and difficult because I know that just by going through those experiences, I am growing through them. I welcome every opportunity that requires me to take a deeper look at my life and myself because I don't ever want to be comfortable in my ways or lead a comfortable life where I am never challenged or never challenge myself.

I created the free digital print that you see above for you to frame and keep up as a reminder for those times when it's hard to see things for what they are. Rest in the idea that everything happens for a reason, but know that some things happen for a season. Your seasons do not necessarily define you, you define how your seasons will impact you - either positively or negatively.

Cheers to experiencing the fulness of life through every season!

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I hope you enjoyed this little reminder and that it encouraged you through whatever season you are currently facing today. If you need more inspiration on the daily, I post every day on Instagram + keep you motivated and inspired with uplifting content. I'd love to see you over there!

Do you enjoy these types of posts? Let's chat in the comments below!

I remember back home on Guam the way the ocean twinkled underneath the night's sky. How the water reached the shore ever so gently and filtered through the tiny grains of sand, displacing them over and over again. It was calming, peaceful, and I will never forget the feeling it gave me.

Isn't that exactly how life is? We are constantly tossed and displaced and moved around. 

I'm always looking for inspiration from nature, and this may as well be the perfect fit for what I'm trying to say.

Did you know that based on the size of the grains of sand, pebbles, or rocks on a beach or coast, you can easily determine what conditions they were exposed to?

It's quite simple. Fine grain sand is exposed to powerful ocean swells that repeatedly toss the grains until they become round and polished. Larger pebbles or rocks that are freshly weathered have not yet traveled very far, therefore are not rounded and smoothed. 

Larger pebbles or rocks also suggest that they've been carried to the shore by larger waves, while smaller particles are carried away over longer distances, eventually reaching further, calmer shores.

We all know that fine textured, white, powdery sand is valued all around the world. What if I told you that you must go through the same process as sand if you want to become refined, rounded, and smoothed. You need to travel long distances, be carried away and tossed around by large waves before you reach a place of calm, like what happened on that beach at the beginning of my story.

Things happen in nature that are just that - natural, unobstructed, and part of a process. They are the most beautiful things. There's a cause and effect to everything, and that's something that we don't really think about on a daily basis. We don't realize that we are also part of a process.

We can't really expect different results if we are doing the exact same thing that leads to the result that we don't like. We need to change something in that process in order for change to occur. I am a firm believer that change is necessary, and it is so ingrained in me that I am not scared of it. I accept it, and I welcome it.

Let me give you a bit of context. Growing up, I always moved around. It was never in my mind that I would stay in one place for the rest of my life, nor was it ingrained in me that anyone was guaranteed to stay in my life. It may sound sad, but it's just a part of who I am and who I became. I had to learn to let go at an early age. Of people. Of places. Of situations that weren't good. It was never easy for me, but I had to adapt. 

As an adult, I guess it's so ingrained in me that I have to keep moving forward that I need it. I can't stay in one place or get complacent, especially if I'm not seeing growth within myself. I can't get myself to settle for less than what I know I'm capable of.

What I'm trying to get at is that there is something that you can do to be where you want to be. Change. Change is hard, but it is necessary. You can't wait for change to happen. You have to be the change and be the cause of it. You have to live intentionally if you want to see the life that you desire.

Coming from a small island, it's easy to get complacent and comfortable. It's easy to go with the motions and do the exact same thing over and over again expecting different results. I know exactly how it feels. I believe in persistence, but not if it's not leading me to becoming a better person or to a better place. 

You may not come from a small island like me, and I'm not limiting this kind of behavior to certain environments, but that's my reality that I personally was faced with. Limiting thoughts and behaviors happen to all of us. Naturally, we want to stay in the safe zone - on the shore.

The truth is, you have to break away from what is comfortable. You have to do the things that scare you. You have to be the one to challenge yourself. You have to be the one to say enough is enough. You have to want better for yourself and for your future. It's all dependent on you and only you.

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Coming from one of the most beautiful places on earth makes me reflect on the memories that are forever ingrained in me. When they say no place is like home, it's true. But, it's only true when you leave home. When your eyes become open to the world around you. When you step outside of known territory and into something different and challenging.

Leaving home is always hard, but it is necessary - in a literal and figurative sense. Home can be anywhere you find comfort in. It may be a job, a person, a habit, a way of thinking, etc.

The only way for you to have new eyes is to literally remove yourself from the very place that you've become numb to. I don't believe that anyone should become numb at any point in life. Life is meant to be felt and to be experienced. Becoming apathetic toward life, to me, is a slow and painful death. I never ever want to become that way.

Once you feel yourself starting to get numb, that should be a sign that something needs to change. Sometimes that change needs to happen from within. Other times, external factors need to change.

Life is all about constant evaluation. No one is meant to stay in the exact same place, especially if it is unhealthy to them or leading them to be less than what they are capable or deserving of.

Nowhere in this post will I say that it is easy. It is extremely hard and difficult. We get really comfortable even with things that aren't good for us. We tolerate things and give excuses for the very things that we know are wrong for us. 

At one point in time, I was in a very emotionally and mentally destructive relationship and I stayed. Why? Because I was already at that point where I found comfort in the process. Destructive patterns are hard to break from, and I can say from experience that I have struggled with it, and I know what it feels like. I know that I will continue to be faced with destructive patterns that I constantly need to reevaluate. This is life.

In any process of breaking, stretching, or growing, there will be resistance, and you will have to go through the pain associated with it in order to come out stronger. 

Pain is part of the process of growth. It may not be physical pain, but it could be emotional pain or mental pain, which is not any less painful.

One thing I know for sure is that each time I went through a painful process, I always emerged a better person with so much more to give and knew that I was deserving of so much more. 

Today, I encourage you to do the very thing you know you need to do. Don't wait until it's too late. There is something better for you. A better process. A better outcome. You can't expect to get to a certain ideal place unless you grow through life. You can't simply go through it. You must learn something and truly let your life unfold without holding onto things that you know are hindering you from your best self. Your best life.

In closing, be like sand. Travel far. Be refined. You're becoming your best self through the process. It may be difficult, but nothing of value ever came to be without being exposed to the elements. You'll reach a place of calm, eventually. When all is said and done, the distance you traveled will equal the depth of your experience. Let the waves mold you.

Cheers to you experiencing the best of life. 

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As the new year approaches, it's a great time to start thinking about the deeper things and constantly holding yourself accountable to the direction that your life takes. I hope I've inspired you a teeny bit with this post. xo

If you need more inspiration on the daily, I post every day on Instagram + I keep you motivated and inspired. 

Did you find this helpful? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Do you ever wonder how some people can stay so focused no matter what is happening around them?

Gosh, what is up with those people!? An asteroid could be approaching earth, and they'd still be in their own world.

Confession. I'm one of those very people. *covers eyes*

I'd like to offer some insight into the mind of someone (me) who can stay freakishly focused.

Oh, I do have my moments (don't get me wrong), but it does take a lot - and I mean a A LOT - to get me distracted.

Once I set my heart on something, it's done. It's over. I will follow through.

Now, for the positivity - that has taken a lot of work for me over the years. It'll always be a work in progress for me, but I think staying focused + positive go hand-in-hand.

I'll be sharing 10 ways that have worked for me in staying focused + positive in business and in life. 

I hope this will be helpful to those of you who are trying to find that balance. 

Before we start, first thing's first: I want to point out something so important.

We are all born with unique traits and abilities that come natural to us without us even trying. Once you identify what those are for you, you'll have a better hold on yourself and on life.

Self-awareness is an important step in understanding how to stay focused + positive because only you know what motivates you.

When you have control over yourself, you become stronger and more able to deal with anything in life. We can't always control what happens in life, but we can control our actions and how we respond to things. 

So, what does this have to do with this post? I want to stress the importance of knowing your strengths and realizing that those were given to you for a reason.

I used to absolutely hate the fact that I was so observant. Absolutely hate it. You know why?

Because I saw everything. I couldn't close my eyes to things (oftentimes hurtful things), because my eyes were so open and soaking in everything. I'd notice details that no one else would.

As I grew older, I realized that this was one of my gifts.

I'd like you to first discover and identify your unique gifts and actually use those to your advantage in staying focused + positive.

Capitalize on those natural abilities you have. You do it best, and that is why you need to use them.

Once you identify your unique gifts in all areas of life, you will have a better hold on dealing with things. Your weaknesses wouldn't matter because you'd be focusing on your strengths.

This is powerful. 

So, now let's get into how I personally stay focused + positive. Here we go!

1| Pause

Hit the pause button.

This has saved much heartache, and it will continue to save me much heartache.

We all have the natural tendency to judge situations before they even have time to simmer. I am guilty all the time. I worry A LOT. I question things A LOT.

But, the one thing that has saved me most times is taking a minute to let things play out, naturally.

When we rush things, we end up reacting in ways that may not be authentic to ourselves. We may say or do things that aren't the best representation of us.

Many times, I've also found that my emotional state at the moment had influenced my reactions as well. So many factors come into play when situations arise, so taking a minute to digest everything works wonders.

Learn to respond, not react. This means, when something happens, instead of instantly reacting, give it some time.

Evaluate the situation for as long as you need to, then respond. A reaction is not always necessary.

2| Lessen your distractions

This one's a tricky one.

I was going to say cut out all of your distractions, but let's be real, some distractions are just a part of life and can't be avoided. Mommy life, anyone?

Instead, let's do a fun little exercise, shall we?

Identify all of your key distractions and try to lessen any of them that you have control over.

If there's anything in particular that doesn't add value to your life, go ahead and ditch that mother.

One of the distractions that I had and made a decision to eliminate was Facebook.

Anytime I would get off of Facebook, I would always think, did I just waste 2 hours of my life just now? 

I would feel horrible, not only because I wasted valuable time, but I unwillingly became a part of negativity or drama on a daily basis.

So, that habit had to go.

Distractions could be people, places, things, etc.

3| Be mindful of what you allow

Sometimes the very things that we allow into our lives are the very things that drown us and keep us down.

Learn to be selective about what you allow into your life. It could be something small, but things grow roots.

Everything drains our time in one way or the other, so let it be something worthwhile.

Keep an eye out on everything that comes into your life - be it opportunities, people, or things.

Every cause has an effect, so if it's not something that will add value to your life (as stated earlier) identify it, and don't allow it. Preventing hurt or disappointment from happening down the road is so worth it.

Filter through things before you allow it to take up your time, energy, and attention. You'll need all of that for the more important things.

Let your yes be yes and your no be no, and only say yes to those things that you feel are worthwhile. So many times we say yes to things that don't serve us well or that we don't really want to do.

Don't be afraid to say no in order to say yes to what really matters.

5| Be authentic to you

Focus on your own stuff.

So many times we are losing our focus because we are taking our attention off of our own path and staring too hard at someone else's.

We need to pull the plug of comparison and realize that the answers are within us.

Focus on what you do best. Focus on your strengths.

I came across a post on Instagram one day by fellow boss babe, Promise Tangeman, that stuck with me.

She said, "Don't waste your time trying to 'find' your style. The truth is you already have it. You may just need to create more in order to see it."

I think this is so true.

We need to focus on creating from our unique space and see where it takes us.

Staying focused is so important in being a creative. You need to protect your space because outside influences can unknowingly interfere with your authenticity.

You want to be true to you, and that takes looking inward and being mindful of distractions that could interfere with that on a daily basis.

6| Know what you want

What are your priorities? What's important to you?

These questions will help you focus better.

When you know what you want and where you want to be, you will have a clearer vision of what you need to do to get there. When you know what's at the top of your list, you'll be able to breeze through all of these steps with ease.

It's amazing what we'll do for what we want.

If you have made a decision that you don't want negativity in your life, you'll steer clear from it.

Making clear and conscious choices toward what you want is a definite way to get closer to your goals and to achieving them.

Setting priorities is so important especially when there are so many things that are pulling for our attention on a daily basis.

When you know what you want, you'll be able to communicate that to the world, and it will come back to you.

If you put out love and encouragement, guess what? That's exactly what you'll be associated with and that's what you'll attract.

7| Identify your why

There's something so life-changing in knowing exactly why you are doing things in the first place.

Start with the basics.

Why do you wake up in the morning? Why do you go to work? Why do you want a better life for your family?

Once you begin to answer these things, your life will take on a deeper meaning and you'll be so motivated to wake up every day.

There's nothing like being on a path with no direction. We need to be headed somewhere in order to feel driven.

If you don't know where you're going or why you're doing it, you'll be headed no where fast.

Be inspired by your "why" and let it be that constant inspiration for you.

8| Celebrate small victories

Take the time, even if but for a moment, to celebrate those small victories of yours.

We need to be our best cheerleaders!

Sometimes days turn into months and months turn into years, and we forget to stop and enjoy where we are today.

There's a lot that needed to happen for you to reach the point that you are at now, so be proud of it.

It will motivate you to keep pressing forward and to not give up. 

9| Don't dig up in doubt what you planted in faith

Let's face it, some days are not the best, and some days you may question if what you're focusing your energy on is even worth the sleepless nights, stress, and uncertainty.

But, stop for a minute and know one thing: There was a moment in time where you made a decision.

You put your heart out and risked everything for it. You knew that you'd have to muster up the courage to execute it.

For that very reason, you demonstrated great faith, and it's for that exact same reason that you can't give up no matter how difficult things get. 

10| Do it with all your heart, or not at all

I wanted my final tip to just encourage you to not be too hard on yourself.

I know how difficult things can get sometimes, and the pressure to perform and be amazing is overwhelming to say the least.

Give yourself the permission to take a break when you feel you need it.

Don't worry, things will not fall apart. People can wait. Demands can chill.

You need to focus on yourself, your happiness, and if you need to refresh your perspective or just need a little breather, do it.

It's better to do things with all of you instead of putting out something that's not from your heart or that is forced.

Allow yourself to be exactly as you are in all seasons of life.

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If you made it to the end of this post, you are a true rockstar! I do hope that this was helpful for you and that it truly provides some actionable steps that you can take to get more focused + stay positive.

If you need more inspiration on the daily, I post every day on Instagram + I keep you motivated and accountable to those dreams of yours! I'm here for you, and I am rooting for you every step of the way!  

Do you have any tips on how you stay focused + positive? Please share with all of us in the comments below!  

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It just occurred to me how powerful what I'm about to say could be in someone's life. I just had an "aha" moment just a few minutes ago, and I knew I had to put this out there because I realized just how very true what I'm about to say has been in my life - all my life - and how impactful this could be to someone.

You know that feeling when you want something so bad, you feel that you have to force it into your life? You do everything in your power to make it happen, only to be met with resistance?  

There is nothing, and I am going to say this again - NOTHING - that can separate you from what is already yours.  

Let that sink in.  

In essence, you can not screw up what is right for you. You just can't. That job. That relationship. That dream. It does not matter what it is!  

So, if you're like me - impatient. Stop that. Stop that right now!

It is just now occurring to me just how impatient I am and how controlling I can be at times. I want things when I want it and how I want it - which tends to be immediately.

Of course, there is an opposite side to me that can be patient, but in a long-term sense. I can be patient when I have already committed to something that I know and understand is going to take time.

See, there is a difference. 

When you want something immediately, it is because your mind is saying that you have to have it now or never. On the flip side, if you know that you can't get it immediately and that it will take time, your brain will flip a different switch that says, "Okay, I either need to commit to seeing this through or it's time to throw in the towel. This is just not for me." 

I know that there are a lot of us out there that try so hard to force something that is just not right for us. Time, my friends - things take time. Nothing is ever going to happen immediately which is of high value - and the only way to receive the rewarding things in life is to be patient.

So, whether you are stuck in a place where you are just not getting the results you want or you just can't seem to ever grab a hold of the things you want, know this: There is a process, and it is happening as we speak.

That process needs to happen in order for you to get what you want. Let things develop in their own timing. Let things grow without rushing it to bloom. Enjoy the present season you are in because it will not last. Just because you do not see the physical proof of things working in your favor does not mean it isn't happening. 

There is a something beautiful about mystery. If we always got exactly what we wanted, when we wanted it, we wouldn't get to enjoy what happened along the way. We wouldn't get to experience the highs, the lows, the joy, and the pain of it all. 

Another amazing thing is that we wouldn't get to appreciate what we have unless we have already grown into the person ready for that particular event to happen. We need to grow into the person we need to be. We can't just all-of-a-sudden arrive when it's not our time.

So, what is it that you want so bad? What is it that you are forcing to happen? What is it that you are impatient about? Now is the moment to just stop worrying about when it's going to happen. Focus on letting things happen in their own timing. Do exactly what you need to do to grow toward what you want, and it will happen. It will happen, and you won't know what you did because that's exactly it; You didn't need to do anything spectacular or do cartwheels and backflips to get it. It happened, naturally.  

The best things in life happen naturally, unexpected. When's the last time you saw a flower that needed a pep talk to bloom? Never. Or a tree that had to do 1,000 pushups to grow tall? Okay, now I'm Just trying to make you laugh, but you get the point, right!

So, don't be so hard on yourself anymore, okay? You deserve nothing but THE best in life, and you will get it because there's nothing that will keep you from what's already yours. Not the mistakes you've made, the things you did or didn't do.

When something does not happen the way you expect it or want it to - you should be happy. Why? Because that means that you are getting closer to something that is right for you. You're eliminating all of the other options, and that is a good thing. 

Understand that the best things in life do take time, and guess what? God's timing is perfect. 

I want the best for you! Enjoy the journey getting to the things you want. That's the best part after all.

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So, what is it that you want in life that you are now willing to be patient for? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.

Perfectionism. It's something that I've struggled with for all of my life, and I think it's something that a lot of us deal with in general. Is it a form of anxiety? I don't know, but it has caused a lot of anxiety in me over the years. I decided to talk about this topic for those of you who have the same struggle and who are trying to overcome it. I don't think I've necessarily overcome it, but I am miles ahead of where I was before, so that's a good sign! Maybe I can offer some insight that can help you to see perfectionism for what it is and then redefine the way you see it and break free from its grip on your life. 

I want to speak specifically to those of you who have serious dreams and aspirations and who have plans to do big things, yet have been held back in one way or the other by feelings of perfectionism. I know how it feels because that was (and at times, is) me. One thing that I can tell you from experience that will be the most important statement in this post is that perfectionism comes with a cost.

The cost?

Time. 

The reason why I say that the cost of perfection is time is because the more time you spend on visualizing the perfect plan or the perfect execution, the further and further away you get from actually achieving your goals. I'm not saying that planning things out is bad, I'm talking about reciting everything in your head a zillion times over until you finally feel that everything is perfect - which is rarely ever. Perfection is unattainable, so it is an unhealthy cycle to be in. 

So, what is the biggest threat to perfectionism and the solution to overcoming it?

Action.

When you decide to act upon your dreams rather than waiting for the perfect conditions, you not only punch perfectionism in the face (take that perfectionism!), but you build your confidence. I really believe that perfectionism is a form of insecurity because we feel as if we have to live up to certain standards - unattainable ones - and since it is created by us for us, we keep creating conditions of perfection and that cycle never really ends because it is in the mind. It is also a form of fear because what we fear is not having control over things, so we do everything in our power to control the conditions until we feel that they are ideal enough. 

One thing that I had to really learn is to distinguish perfectionism from being detail-oriented - which I now see are two very separate things. I've always been both, so knowing that being detail-oriented is a very positive trait and holding onto that while learning to let go of perfectionism has really changed the way I go about my life and the way I view things.

If this is something that you would like to work to overcome, in no particular order, here are strategies that I have used in my thinking process that have helped me so much in dealing with perfectionism.

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1| Don't overthink things

I tend to do this A-LOT, and I'm a prime example of someone who really can't make a decision to save her life because I tend to be an over-thinker. Overthinking is one of those time-wasters, because while thinking about all of the ins and outs of the good, the bad, and the ugly may cause you to feel a little more secure about your decision in the short-term, it will most likely lead you to many of your insecurities as well. This process will be even longer than you anticipate - we're talking years. You'll most likely come up with reasons why your idea sucks or reasons why you should just not ever do it. Ever. Perfectionism can cause you to convince yourself to believe things that aren't even true - like that you're not good enough, skilled enough, or talented enough. It's pretty overwhelming, so of course your brain will shut down out of pure exhaustion - and give up (which we want to avoid).

2| Make a decision

What is it that you want to do? What is your dream, and how will you get there? First off, making a decision to do it in the first place is your first step to overcoming feelings of perfectionism, which prevents you from ever starting. When you commit to an idea, you block out any other voice that will distract you. Decisions are hard as it is, so ticking this off from the get-go will get you moving forward rather than entertaining that dialogue of perfectionism which states that you must have this, that, and the other sorted out first before you even commit to the idea. Committing is so important because it literally switches your brain from deliberating to the process of action. 

3| Just start

Now that the tough part is over, here comes another step that will be equally hard for the perfectionist. Of course - you have to make sure everything is absolutely perfect before you start, right? Wrong. No matter where you begin, whether you are inexperienced or you are a professional, you will have to start from scratch. The preparation starts now, not at Step 1 - that was the part where you were stuck in your head. Step 3 is where you already have one foot out of the door, and you're saying, "Heeeeello World!" 

4| Follow through

No matter what feelings come up, commit to follow through with what you set out to do. It's easy for you to want to throw in the towel when things aren't turning out the way you had envisioned, but that is exactly what will happen. Things will not turn out perfect. You may even discover that the very thing that you wanted to do just doesn't give you the satisfaction you thought it would - and that is perfectly okay. The sooner you learn, the better, and the clearer things will get. 

5| Have the end goal in sight

As a perfectionist, it's easy to give up on the process if it doesn't appear the way you want it to in the beginning. If you don't see the perfect results, you may start to question yourself and then you may not give your all to see things come to pass. Things take time, and in that, it is very hard to see things perfectly aligned as we envision it. I, myself, always have this idealistic view that can get in the way of reality. There are high expectations that I set for myself, that if I don't live up to them, I feel like I'm doing something wrong, then fear creeps in. It's something that I've had to overcome with motivating myself daily and reframing my expectations.

6| Grace not perfection

It's so easy today to feel the weight of the entire world on your shoulders. There are pressures coming from everywhere to be perfect, so it can feel overwhelming when you feel like you won't ever live up to what is portrayed out there. What I have learned is that my idea of perfection will never be attainable, so I'm just going to go for it and give it my best shot. No matter what the outcome is, as long as I am staying true to myself, that is all that really matters. When you value yourself over ideals of perfection, amazing things start to happen, and you begin to see your dreams realized.

7| Let your hair down

Just be exactly who you are and you will feel no pressure to be perfect. When you realize that you are enough and that you have exactly what it takes to succeed, you will start to enjoy the process more than you ever imagined. You won't need validation from others. You won't let fear guide you - your dreams will. You will begin to see that one dream will lead you to the next.

8| Take it one day at a time 

When we visualize what we want to achieve, we usually have this fantasy in our heads about how we want it to look and how we want it to be done, which is overwhelming in itself. In creating the future you want, taking it one day at a time will get you further than trying to craft the perfect month or year or decade. For example, if you want to create a brand, you may look at other brands for inspiration and feel pressured to look so polished and put together like them. The reality is that it took that brand years to create the brand that you see today. Take it one day at a time and know that every single day you are getting closer to your vision coming full circle. It will take time, but this time it is an investment into your future.  

9| Don't compare yourself to others

It's so easy to think that in order to be successful, you have to learn every single trick of the trade, which means you'll have to read every book, go to every seminar, and watch every motivational speech every recorded just to feel secure. Don't get trapped in the idea that everyone has the answers because you will end up chasing them down instead of chasing your dreams. Getting caught up in what everyone else is doing will take a toll on your individual journey. Instead of doing what you were created to do, you will stunt your growth by getting caught up in other people's journeys. Your journey is going to look different from theirs, but it is not any less effective. Do you and the lessons and results will follow. 

10| Have faith

The process of pursuing your dreams comes with a lot of uncertainty, which can be very difficult to deal with at times. One day you may be having the best day of your life, then the next day you may feel defeated and torn. Realize that it will be a process that will be full of challenges and questions, but with faith, you will know how to get through the tough times and not lose your enthusiasm moving forward. Learn how to shake off your mistakes, learn from your failures, and keep going. You will reach a beautiful place even if the journey getting there wasn't perfect.

I really hope this was helpful and encouraging for all of you seeking to step out into the unknown. The next time you feel like everything has to be perfect before you start something, come back to this list and let it encourage you. You don't need to be perfect, just real. Chase them dreams, girlfriend! And leave perfectionism in the dust.

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What are your thoughts about perfectionism, and how has it affected your life? I'd love to chat in the comments below! 

Has anyone ever said to you in a not-so well-meaning tone, "You've changed!" If so, I hope you took that as a HUGE compliment, because that is exactly what you want to be doing in life, girlfriend (or guy-friend).

Do you agree that there's nothing more annoying than people who sit back expecting everyone to stay the same exact person (like them). Well, duh, of course I changed. I'm not a rock. Wait a minute, even rocks change! Ha!

Sometimes with the pressure to conform to this idea that people have of us, we get caught up in trying to soften ourselves to appeal to those who "know" us.

Oh no ... we don't want to offend anyone by changing. But really, by doing so, we aren't being true to who we are, even when who we are has evolved into someone different - someone better.

What I've learned in my 31 (still newbie) years of life is that I must constantly evolve in order to become the best version of myself.

If I fail to evolve, I fail to grow, and that my friend would mean that I'm just living to die.

Extreme, yes (I can be), but it's so true. I know I don't have all of the answers, but I do know this much is true.

Along the way, you'll discover that by evolving, you will not only develop different needs in life, but you will shed old ones as well. You may outgrow the people that you once surrounded yourself with. Certain environments may not appeal to you anymore. It will trickle down to every area of your life. In some ways, it will take some getting used to, and you'll have to discover yourself again.

I've gone through this process many times and found that it was always a natural progression, never forced. Although it was sometimes uncomfortable, I always moved forward and found it to be an important process in where I am today and in getting me to a more fulfilling place.

On the topic of change, I always like to refer back to one of my favorite scriptures - Ecclesiastes 3: 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ... "

When you understand this, change will never phase you because you'll know that there is a season for everything and that life is all about change.

Take any successful or accomplished person - who they are now is not the same person as who they were when they first started their journey. They were like any average person trying to navigate life and figure things out. 

Naturally, in order to meet the expectations of each new level of success, more was required of them, which they had to develop within themselves.

It took discipline. It took change.

There's no such thing as a successful person who never grew or never changed, and I'm pretty sure that if they stomped their feet and refused to change, they wouldn't be where they are today.

If you're feeling pulled in different directions and battling with the idea that maybe people won't like certain decisions you'll make out of fear that they will question your authenticity, have no fear.

You don't need anyone's approval.

The very journey you're on is yours and yours alone. You're on the right track when you're always pursuing the best version of yourself even if that means confusing a few people along the way. 

Recall all of those stories where someone does a complete 360 and turns their life around, then lives to tell the world their amazing story of how they overcame the odds and - you guessed it - changed. It takes a strong-willed person to change and not settle. 

There is absolutely no resistance for the person who refuses to ever change, but for the person who proactively decides to constantly change and grow - it takes strength, endurance, and resilience.

Every single day, by developing yourself and demanding more of yourself, you are flexing a different type of muscle and becoming stronger - able to reach new levels and opportunities in life.

The more you grow, the more you succeed.

Reaching new heights in life will be determined by your willingness to grow, so pursue those opportunities that will stretch you.

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Pursue what scares you, head-on.

Another thing is that growth hurts. People think, oh, that person changed. I don't like them anymore. They're a fraud. Um, why? Do they even know how many different experiences it took for that person to get to where they are today? 

It's so easy for people to judge what they see instead of empathizing with what a person went through to get to their current position. We usually see the end result of their growth, not the in-between, so it's easy to ignore that where a person is today is a result of something deeper and more difficult than what we are aware of. 

It's never too late to become the person you've always wanted to be, and it's certainly never too late to invent a new, better, and upgraded version of yourself, either.  

Who cares if people "accept" you, and for the record, you don't want those people in your life anyway. You want to be surrounded by people who support your growth and love you for whatever that may bring.

Some people may not understand you, and that's perfectly okay.

Do you know why? Because people that do understand you will come out of the woodwork, and those are the kind of people you want in your life. 

So, where do you stand? Have you changed? Do you want to change?

The best thing about life is new beginnings. Every. Single. Day.

That's actually what makes life so amazing. You can change your mind. Oh yes, and I love to do that. Very very often. 

What I'm trying to get at is that you should never feel scared to try something new, be someone new, and explore a different version of yourself. As long as you are being authentically you, that is all that matters at the end of the day. If you're moving in a positive direction, nothing can stop you. 

When you pursue new levels in life, it'll call for new versions of yourself - ones that you didn't even know you were capable of.

The only way to really know what you are capable of doing is to step out. And the prerequisite - there is none. 

I have learned that even when I didn't feel qualified enough, I made up for it by stepping out in faith.

By doing so, that stretched and grew me so much more than just waiting until I felt qualified, which truthfully, I have never felt 100% ready for anything that I have ever decided to pursue.

When faced with a decision, if it's not urgent, we'll naturally try anything to postpone it to a future date. So, the best thing to do is to act on whatever it is you want to do NOW, even if you don't feel ready.  

Once you force yourself to new levels in life, life will demand more out of you and elevate you as well. It's really up to you to take that initial step and show up.

Your willingness shows so much more than your ability, talent, or skill.

Anyone can have all of the above, but if they never show up, it's pointless, right? 

I encourage you to see change within yourself as a precursor to success. When you take on that mindset, you will surprise yourself with what you can accomplish when you reach difficult points in your life. Will you cave in or will you meet the challenges head-on and say, you know what, I got this! I will become a better version of myself in order to level up in life and become better than the person I was yesterday. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it to be encouraging. I look forward to doing more inspirational posts like these because I've always been into self-development, and I believe it's so important to stay motivated and inspired every day. I'm rooting for positive change in you and in your life!

What do you think, and what are your thoughts? I'd love to chat in the comments below!

Happy New Year!!! I'm so excited about 2016. I wanted to get back into my Inspiration Mondays this week and offer up some words that will inspire you for this new year. Let's get into it! 

It's a brand spankin' new year and that means, let go of 2015; it's time for something new. A new beginning! I am a lover of starting off fresh, not only in the literal sense, but figuratively. A new beginning can start off in the mind, so if you wanted to, you could just say to yourself, "It's a new day, a new week, a new month for change." Change really starts in the mind, so if you're ready to make a change for the better, tell yourself. Our inner dialogue is just as important - if not more important - than the words we speak. 

So since we've created a clean slate, let's talk about what we want to achieve for the new year. I, for one, am so poor at writing down my goals, so when I tell you that it's a must, please believe! Since I'm a visual person, I'd much rather keep my goals at the back of my mind via visions and pictures in my head, which is good, but I definitely could work on actually internalizing those goals and writing them down so that they can become measurable. When you start to see your goals on paper, they become more urgent because they now become tangible. Let's get those goals down on paper!

I think getting our goals on paper is one of the hardest parts because it's kind of like saying to yourself, "Well, now I've got to actually do these things. No more slacking. No more filing these away under the I'll-do-these-things-one-day tab." That's tough. So when you finally get over this hump, you really are on your way toward achieving some very awesome things! Get it girl.

So, what is it that you want to achieve this year? This week? This month? Break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Say your goal is to start making more home-cooked meals for your family. Outline small steps to get you there. For example:

+ Look for easy recipes on Pinterest

+ Create a menu plan for the week

+ Create a grocery list

By breaking it down like this, you won't get overwhelmed with say: 

+ Make more home-cooked meals

With that, your brain will start to go into overdrive and then conk out from getting too overwhelmed with thinking about how you are going to achieve it, rather than the easier, smaller steps I mentioned above. You'll be more inclined to do the small steps as opposed to the larger picture. This goes with any type of goal, so get those babies down to small, baby steps.  

 

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APPLICATION

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1 | Create a clean slate

2 | Get your goals down on paper

3 | Break them into small, baby steps

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I would like to help inspire students, especially in applying this process. It could help tremendously in the many transitions that you will experience during this time in your life.

Once you begin, you're now done with half the battle! I hope you apply these steps and really benefit from them. It's simple, yet will help you be well on your way to getting a lot of stuff done this year. 

What is one goal that you'd like to achieve this year? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! 

Hi Lovelies! I'm writing this one a wee bit late this week - but hey - better late than never, right? Today, I want to talk about perseverance because I believe it is one of those qualities you absolutely need if you want to achieve anything worthwhile. So, let's get into it!

I love getting inspired by those who are already at the top and connecting the dots to common threads that successful people share. Recently, I've been visually connecting how those that are reaping the rewards of success, at one point, had to persevere through times of not really seeing any results. Well, maybe they did see results, but they were very small and not really encouraging. Perseverance is really those small steps that we take every day that add up to a larger picture (one day). These steps are the ones that are done in the darkness, with no one watching. 

So, really, in order to ever reap a harvest, we must plant seeds NOW, and we must be consistent about it. We will not see them grow right away, but eventually, with consistent and persistent watering, they will. This reminds me of a quote that I came across that said, "The tiny seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light."

Not only do we need to plant seeds, but we must also go through a lot of discomfort in order to grow. It won't be easy, because nothing worthwhile ever is, but that is really just the test of our perseverance. Are we willing to make the sacrifices now in order to have the life we truly want? Are we going to give up when times get tough? These questions will really determine the course of your future.

When you look at successful people, all you're really looking at is the result of them sowing seeds daily and being committed to the process. What's more is, they don't stop once they reach a certain level of success. They keep planting. They keep pursuing their dream. They keep growing. They don't get comfortable.

No matter where you are at right now in your life, as long as you are planting those seeds daily, you will one day see them grow. A seed is a seed, so no matter how big or how small it is, just keep doing it. Even if it takes 10 years for your dream to come to fruition, just know that you are one day ahead of the other person who has never planted anything towards their future. 

Keep planting, and keep growing. Have an amazing week!

What is one way that you can plant a seed toward your dreams today? Share with me in the comments! 

It's totally natural to feel discouraged, especially when you are headed down a path that may only currently make sense to you. Doing what you feel in your heart to accomplish is often a lonely road filled with many moments where you question the very fabric of who you are. There will be times when you just need someone to reach out to you with some encouraging words. For some, that comes, and for others, it may not.

From a young age, I always felt that in order for me to succeed, I had to push myself and encourage myself. If I didn't do it, no one else would, so I made a promise to be that motivating voice for myself. That was one of the strategies that got me through being a young single mom, through high school while juggling a baby, through college while juggling work, and ultimately, to where I am today. Not only did I not rely on others for their validation or their approval, I took it upon myself to really dig deep within and find that inner strength. 

I know what it feels like to not be encouraged by the people around you, so today, I wanted to focus on how to stay encouraged. It's an important part of the journey of life to stay lifted, so not only should we encourage others, we must focus on ourselves and keep the most important person in the room happy - us! If we're not encouraged, how can we make an impact on this world and the lives of others? It's a cycle that starts with you and I.  

Tap into your inner strength.

Seeking outside validation is the fast track toward defeat. Not only will you get disappointed, but you will get drained looking for validation. Instead, be self-propelled and rely on your inner strength to fuel you. If we give people the power to feed us, we also give them the power to starve us. So, avoid being attached to external voices, which may limit you or give you a false identity. You have it in you to stay motivated, pushed, and propelled. Stay focused on that inner voice.

Surround yourself with the right people.

The people you do surround yourself with should be those that have the ability to uplift you, motivate you, and support your undertakings. Once you make that decision, your world will change because your environment will change. Not only does this include the people physically around you, but your online crowd as well. Flood your social media accounts with motivational content by following leaders and people that inspire.

It's also important to never adapt who you are for someone else or let anyone belittle you, your dreams, or your aspirations in exchange for making them feel comfortable. Instead, seek uplifting relationships and let go of tolerating people that either don't value you or can never step outside of themselves for a moment. You'll be surprised by how many people are out there that will actually support and encourage you because they are confident in their own journey.

Give of yourself.

Build your network around the idea of giving and it will be so rewarding. When you help others, not only does it feel amazing, but you will start to build authentic relationships. Taking our sights off of ourselves sometimes is so important because it allows us to set aside our personal issues for a moment leading us to feel fulfilled with a greater work.

When you discover other people's journeys, you'll start to be encouraged by their story, too. They will inspire you and it will be encouraging to know that you're not the only one going through certain challenges. You'll have the right people to relate to and be able to uplift each other.

Work your tush off. 

There's nothing better than immersing yourself in your passion and blocking out all of the noise and distraction that can cloud our judgement at times. When you simply commit to what makes you happy, not only will you be filled with joy, but you'll be filled with contentment. Focusing on your work can bring so much reward and it will drown out any other voices. Working on your craft will also encourage you to keep at it and put in more work. Every day you will feel like you're walking in your purpose and fulfilling your dreams.

Stay inspired.

Staying inspired every day builds a momentum that only keeps growing. When you focus on creating, coming up with new ideas, projects, planning, and the like, you will be too occupied with the good stuff to be distracted by the bad. When you are inspired, you are happy - and that radiates to other areas of your life. 

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These are five ways that I have found to be absolutely encouraging in my journey. However, there are still so many other ways to stay encouraged - like having a tub of chocolate ice cream on standby. Who doesn't feel better after ice cream? 

I think the main thing here is to just keep doing what you love to do, and by that, I mean everything. Once you get that ball rolling, it becomes easier to tap into that inner voice that says, "You know what? You're the bomb!" Ok, corny, I know. Haha! Stay encouraged, my friend. I'm here cheering you on!

Speaking of getting the ball rolling, here's an inspiring read that I think you'll like. 

What ways do you stay encouraged? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

Get rich quick schemes. I know, they are everywhere! Lately I've also been seeing a ton of people claiming they have the "secret" to this and the "secret" to that. These people are everywhere trying to make a buck. Granted, I do believe that there are genuine people out there trying to help others and mentor them. However, we live in a world where it is easy to get distracted by all of the content that flood our feeds daily and promise so much, but actually deter us from the real process that is required to get to the place we want in life.

Now comes the reality. I've always been a very logical and realistic person, which can be good and bad. I really wanted to touch on this subject because I feel that a lot of us get the wrong idea about what it takes to achieve certain things. I'm no exception. It's easy to fall into the mindset that there is a "secret" formula to everything, but the truth that I believe, is that there is none! 

There's a really complex process that we all need to go through to achieve success, and success has different meanings for everyone. No one's journey can be compared to another's, so it's all about honing in on your unique story. Although I don't have it all figured out, I do know now, in this part of my journey, that in order to get to the place where we want to be, we must make choices - often those that we're unsure of. Sometimes those choices will lead us down paths that we don't like, but to get to the right place, we must be prepared for some detours. The very choices we make will lead us closer and closer to the right path, but first, we must have the courage to walk places that we are uncertain about to a degree. Overthinking can cause us to become paralyzed by fear of the unknown, and the only way past that is to just take action. 

"All we need is within, but action alone will illuminate the next step." Brendon Burchard

Every day I learn just how important the process is and how we must go through the good and the bad. I was telling my husband how things for me, did not make sense over night, and I still have to step out and make choices that I'm not so sure of. I don't think that will ever end. Looking back, it really took years to finally get to a place where I finally had that contentment with where I saw myself headed. 

"The journey to achieving our dreams is the reward, not the dream itself."

Many of us may be looking for a way out, a solution, or someone to tell us what to do - the secret and the answer that will solve everything. I'm here to tell you that the answer is within you. So, before you look to outside sources, get connected with your unique journey and look at all of the pieces that got you to where you are now. You will begin to see things differently once you focus on yourself instead of looking for the cookie-cutter model of success.

I really encourage you to have faith in the process and to trust that everything will make sense in the end. Have the courage to do the things your heart is pulling you toward. Once you do it, it will lead you to the next step, and the next ... 

Stay inspired, lovelies! <3

Did you connect with this post? I would love to hear your feedback in the comments below. 

Happy Monday Loves!

I hope you all had a reenergizing weekend and loads of rest! You may have noticed that instead of Motivation Monday, my title now reads Inspiration Monday instead - and there is a reason behind this. I came across something that inspired me and made me think a little bit deeper about motivation and what drives us. In this post, I'll be talking about motivation vs inspiration. Is there a difference or are they one and the same?

So, to begin with, what is the definition of motivation? The first definition that pops up is, "the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way." The second definition is, "the general desire or willingness of someone to do something." To break it down even more, motivation is a reason or the desire to do. So, generally speaking, it's seeking reasons or the desire to do something before we actually do it. 

Did you know that one of the synonyms for motivation is inspiration? Inspiration is defined as "The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative." So, what is the difference between motivation and inspiration? Inspiration is moreso a process, while motivation is a means to an end. Motivation seeks reasons and the desire to do something, while inspiration requires that you seek stimulation, which naturally elicits a response.

What we need is to look within and create, invent, design, imagine, dream, but most of all live! The only way to really stay on a course for a long time and not burn out is to continuously create, do. Like I said in my previous post, action breeds confidence. Another definition of inspiration is "an act of breathing in; an inhalation." So, really, anything can inspire. A walk in the park, a drive down a dirt road, the way the wind blows through a field, or an emotion that you feel. 

Being inspired is important to discover new things that will open up your eyes to the vast world around us and the limitless possibilities. Find what inspires you and look within to cultivate original work and ideas. I remember coming across a saying that always stuck with me, which says, "An artist is just good at hiding his sources." We all give and we all take from the world. The important thing, though, is that we discover what we want to give and that we keep doing it. Inspiration breeds creativity, so never stop inhaling or breathing in what's around you. When you are inspired, a natural reaction follows, and that is your passion. 

I hope you enjoyed this! Stay inspired, and follow along for more inspiration every day! <3

What inspires you, and what topics would you like me to discuss? Share with me in the comments below!  

Hey loves, so I read this excerpt by Mindy Kaling - which I also shared on the Hello Lovely Living Facebook page - and it got me thinking about confidence a little bit deeper. It also made me realize just how much of a struggle it is to many of us. To some degree, we all struggle with insecurities. Yes, some people are better at masking their insecurities and lack of confidence, but the truth is, we all deal with it in different ways - sometimes better than others. 

When you look at a person, what are the characteristics that, to you, exude confidence? Although we'd like to think many are just "born" with confidence, that is far from the reality of things. Many of the most confident and successful people in the world did not start out that way. Actually, they struggled with self-doubt or still struggle with it. How many stories have you heard about the underdog rising to greatness? A lot, right?

It reminds me of an excerpt that I recently came across that said, "If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are. The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results." - Lao Tzu 

Isn't it amazing how, in order to become the very thing we want to become, we must oftentimes first experience the opposite of that, so that we can learn to overcome it? People will not always see or realize that in order to get to a place of confidence, we must first go through a place of doubt and insecurity. It is in that testing ground that we build character, which ultimately develops our confidence.

Life's all about opportunities to change and insecurity is an opportunity: In this case, to rise up and step out beyond what you thought you were capable of. I, myself, have found that there were several seasons in my life where my confidence was at an untouchable high and I felt as if I could accomplish anything - then there were times where I experienced unquestionable lows, where I felt defeated. Confidence is not something you gain once and never have to build up again. It's something you have to constantly cultivate and develop within yourself daily. It's something that you can lose so easily, too.

So, in my experience, where do I think confidence comes from? Action. You know that very thing that you are extremely scared of doing? That thing that makes your heart beat fast and gives you butterflies? Do it! Yes, that thing. When we do not do the thing that gives us life, we are only adding to that deep insecurity that lives in us - that voice that says, "You can't do it. You're not smart enough." And on and on. The only thing that will drown out those voices is action. The moment you step out is your defining moment, which says, "I believe in myself. I have what it takes. I can do this."

Once you take consistent leaps, you'll begin to see a change in yourself and you will see that confidence is not about what you look like, what your background is, where you come from, or reserved for a special type of person, etc. It's your effort and how much you are willing to step out that determines how much confidence you have at the end of the day, because every step proves to yourself that you can do it, and that you will do it - and succeed. It's that belief in yourself and consistent action that will develop you and make you grow so that you can be prepared for the next level of challenges.

So, love, what is it that you've been shying away from doing, from stepping into? You have everything you need within you to accomplish what it is that your heart is leading you towards. The only thing to do next is take a step and believe in yourself. <3

So, how do you build your confidence? I'd love to hear in the comments! Make sure to follow me on Facebook where I share a lot of inspiring content. 

It's Monday, and I am excited that it is a brand new week! Today, I want to motivate you to make your dreams happen. Small, consistent steps in the direction of your dreams will get your results, so no matter how small those steps may seem, do it! I want to share something with you guys - it took me years to finally start this blog. And when I finally got started, I actually had the site setup a year prior to finally publishing my first post. Something was holding me back from actually making my dream happen. What was it? Looking back, I'm not sure exactly what could've been so big that could deter me from doing it. I had this problem with things needing to be perfect, so maybe that's the reason? Taking that first step is always the hardest part because the unknown can be scary. Sometimes inaction breads insecurity, too. So, the best thing to do is to just do something. It doesn't matter if it doesn't make sense to you at first because eventually it will!

You know that saying, "Dreams don't work unless you do."? It's true. To all my dreamers out there, I know how it feels to have a ton of ideas and feel almost paralyzed. Questions flood my mind: Where do I start? What will happen if...? And the list goes on. Sometimes our minds can deter us by rationalizing and over-thinking things. The best way to figure things out is to try. Even if it ends up that you don't enjoy it - at least you know, and you can move on to the next thing. This has been strategy in life. I have a ton of interests that pull me in all sorts of directions, and I can't focus on one. Everything that I've ever pursued was based on the desire to do it. I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted - I only knew that I had an interest there. It turned out, after pursuing many of my interests, that they where just that. I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life and it wasn't my passion. I'm finally starting to figure out what it is that I love to do. I'm finally getting to pursue what is in my heart.

Now back to that problem that I had with "perfection". That's one big road block to making your dreams happen. If you wait for the perfect time, the perfect conditions, the clouds to part - nothing will ever happen and all you will be doing is wasting time. This was my struggle, and as soon as I got past wanting everything to be perfect, something changed in me and I was free! Perfectionism can be hindering you from pursing your dreams, so even if things are not perfect, that's okay! No one ever started at a place of perfection, so you don't need to either. Starting from where you're at with what you have is all it takes to get your dreams in motion.

Once you've taken conscious steps and are on the path towards your dreams, you will start to see things come together and new opportunities come your way that you never had imagined. A decision can be your defining moment. So, make a decision, and then do it - consistently and persistently. Your dream is waiting for you!

5 Takeaways:

1. Make a decision: Commit to your dream.

2. Start small: Start where you are, with what you have.

3. Ditch perfection: You don't need to have it all figured out.

4. Be consistent: Take action every day, even if they are small steps.

5. Be persistent: Don't give up!

I hope this inspires you to make your dreams happen, starting today. <3

Will you be making a decision today? Share your dreams with me in the comments!