Motivational Monday: Changing Lives

What have you done today to change someone's life?

I was watching Long Island Medium, pretty fascinated with how Theresa is always compelled...by spirits to provide information to complete strangers that ultimately changes their lives and their way of thinking. What have you done today to change someone's life? Now most of us are not gifted with those powers to speak to spirits, but we are gifted with ways to impact others. I had my first meeting with my lovely five interns for the Summer/ Fall season yesterday. I spoke with them about finding your passion and achieving your dreams. I could tell by talking to these ladies that we had connected and that we were all on a course to change each others' lives.

So many people believe that they are insignificant and can't really impact others and don't have the capabilities to change lives. But I'm here to tell you that you can change someone's life in such a small way that you don't even realize that you are doing so. Whether it be a kind smile, a helpful hand, or sincere advice, the way in which we impact others is a direct reflection of how others have shaped and impacted us.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own."
       -Benjamin Disraeli

Motivational Monday: Kicking Closed Doors

You're sitting in your office. You have this idea or information you KNOW will change the fate of a person or your job. You go to your superior, ready to share this idea or information...but their door is closed. You're discouraged. You start to knock, but fear wraps you in a snug blanket. You start to turn around...going back to your desk, but something inside of you tells you to go back...kick that closed door. Do you listen?

Life is like that. It gives you an idea, information or a resource that could change the very situation you are in. Often times what stands between the idea and the execution is the closed door. The closed door represents the obstacles we face to make our dreams, goals, opportunities a realization. We get so caught up in the physical existence of "the door" that we often forget what could be behind it.

When fear (the door) stands in the way of your goal being realized, your dream being executed, that opportunity happening...kick it. KICK. THAT. CLOSED. DOOR. Don't let a closed door stand in your way because the one thing that stands between you, that door, and what's behind it...is your foot and the strength you put behind it.

Motivational Monday: Closed Minds Don't Get Fed

Lately, I've been exercising my open mindedness and helping others to exercise theirs. Yesterday was date night with the soon to be hubby. We drove around the city laughing, people watching, trying to find something to do on a brisk Atlanta day. As it turns out, the theme for our date night was all about getting Hubby to try new things and be open minded. The first thing he tried was this restaurant I've been telling him about. And he helped me to open my mind about what we should do. I had to think, if we both hadn't kept our minds open, we would have missed out on a great day together.

That's the thing, when you close your mind to the endless possibilities, you prevent great opportunities and blessings from flourishing. Think about the last time you started to close your mind to something, changed your mind, and great things started happening. I know if I had closed my mind to going to certain events or meeting with certain people I would not know the great people that I know today. If you had closed your mind to that job offer or unexpected opportunity who knows where you would be!

The gist of it is this, closed minds don't get fed. When you keep your mind closed, you prevent the flow of knowledge, information, and opportunities. The mind itself is a receptacle, always waiting to receive...why would you keep the lid closed?

"It's essential to keep an open mind, and to be willing--better yet, eager--to try new things "
       -Michael Abrash

Motivational Monday: Be A Snake Charmer

Last week, I had a dream that I was being followed by a snake. It wasn't just your regular garden variety snake. It was a gigantic python! I'm a huge believer that some of our dreams tell us things that we should be aware of or even predict things to come. Naturally, I woke up baffled by what the dream meant. I saw the snake, it hissed at me, I was frightened and then I woke up. I checked my dream book to see what it meant, but it didn't really offer me any comfort.

Fast forward a few days later, I was speaking to a close associate of mine about how every time they encounter this particular person, there is a constant undertone of hatred, jealousy, and negativity. It got me to thinking about some old sayings about "snakes in the grass." Matter a fact, Southern artist Big K.R.I.T. penned the line

"He said I should cut my grass because I'm surrounded by snakes. Not sure if that was metaphorical or if he had seen one today."

In my opinion, we give too much energy to the snakes. We often worry about who they are, what they're doing, when they'll strike. I think we should learn to be snake charmers. Soothe Sayers whose job is to not be frightened by the snake, not attack the snake, but to charm them

Speaking literally, if you are aware of someone being negativity towards you or "hating" on you...you're not busy enough. You are focusing too much energy on what they are doing and not enough on what you should be doing. Be a soothe sayer, treat them with kindness, don't allow their energy to destroy yours. I'm certain all of us have a snake or two in our midst. The most we can do is be aware and be busy.

"Be so busy that you don't have the time to know who your haters are. And when you know who they are...charm them. Sometimes the best revenge is to smile...and move on."

Motivation Monday: Consistency Kills

By now, we all have heard about the Trayvon Martin situation that has happened in Sanford, FL. And believe me, if it doesn't touch your heart and make you upset...then you've got issues (in my opinion). As I've been watching the news, reading the paper, and listened to the radio about all the outrage and rallies that have taken place since this story hit mainstream news it led me to think. This case is not new.

We've had situations like this since WAY before I was born. It is a situation that resembles has the potential to resemble the Civil Rights Movement. What I mean is that depending on what the people decide to do and continue to do will either be the game changer we need in this county when it comes to not only race relations but also human rights/ human error.

There have been so many recent cases, Jena 6, Sean Bell, Genarlo Wilson, and Troy Davis that had so much momentum in the beginning but as soon as people felt like the fight was lost or that there was nothing more that they could do...all the momentum and noise died. And it makes me sad. The reason why so much change happened in the 60s is because of the high amount of consistency they had to continue the fight. Regardless of if they secretly felt like there was nothing they could do...they STILL. DID. SOMETHING. They remained consistent in their fight to work together in the greater good for the people.

Now this post isn't necessarily about having consistency when it comes to fighting for human rights, but it does shed light on a major problem we have, especially in America, as humans fighting for our rights. We lack consistency...we lack consistency sooooo bad. Think about it. If we would put even half as much energy into consistently shedding light on issues that impact us all, on standing up for what we believe in, on working together for the common good, we could be so far right now.

So implore you, use this opportunity to be consistent in your stance and your believes because when all else fails, the consistency of the people will always prevail.

"It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It's what we do consistently."
       -Tony Robbins

Motivational Monday: Don't Be A Blessing Blocker

Lately, I've been seeing people who are blocking their own blessings...and I don't think they realize it. So many of us look for a clearly written sign in the skies which prevents us from seeing what's right in front of us.

How often do you see small victories as a preliminary blessing for a bigger blessing? Probably all the time. We are so accustomed to wanting things to be bigger, greater, faster, etc that when we receive something that is smaller, lesser, or slower we ignore it and put it to the wayside.

Before we can achieve big things we have to accept the small victories. Maybe you are in medical school, your big victory is to get your PhD...but your small victory is that you passed that major test or you met someone in your field who can be your mentor. Or maybe you're an entrepreneur. You want to someday own this international conglomerate but today you manage a small firm that has recently started to get more clientele.

My point is this, "Big things have small beginnings. So don't block your blessings because you expect or wish them to be bigger." The small victories add up and those blessings are a set up for the larger ones to come.

When God provides you with a blessing/ opportunity, no matter how big or small appreciate it and show him that you are ready for the bigger blessings to come.

Motivational Monday: High Standards

"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself."

       -Henry Ward Beecher

Motivational Monday: Keep going through your hell to appreciate life

Why going through hell is necessary.

Have you ever been in such turmoil in your life, such strife, that it seems like God or some spiritual being is picking on you? It seems that as you are starting to see the sunlight, it quickly gets cloudy? I feel like at one point or another we will go through that chapter in our lives...some of us hardheaded people may go through it more than once. As much as we wish we weren't in it, it's necessary for us to go through these pains and pangs in our lives.

Think about it. You will appreciate something more if you have to work hard for it. Remember when you were a kid and your parents bought you a toy just because? Do you remember what happened to that toy? Maybe you left it somewhere or took it apart...some kind of way it ended up in the trash... But when you were given an allowance for completing your chores or had your own money and bought your own stuff, you truly appreciated that thing.Why? Because you had to work hard to get it!

That's how life is. We won't appreciate it unless there is struggle. Yes we appreciate HAVING life, but not all of us appreciate LIVING life until someone or something comes in to shake things up for us. Some of us have to go through the turmoil longer than others, but at the end of the day it's about the lessons you take from them. So as your life becomes laden with bad news, situations, turmoil and strife, don't think of it as God picking on you. Think of it as going through this hell is necessary for me to appreciate what I have, those I love, and living life.

"If you're going through hell...keep going."
     -Winston Churchill

Motivational Monday: How Do You Want To Be Remembered

By now, the world has learned that music legend, Whitney Houston, has died. It is a sad moment in musical history as well as a sad moment in Black History. Whitney Houston was known for hits like "I Wanna Love Somebody," "I'm Every Woman," and her signature song, the remake to Dolly Parton's, "I Will Always Love You." Whitney Houston is also known for her roles in top movies such as The Bodyguard with Kevin Costner and Waiting to Exhale. Unfortunately, Whitney Houston has had a troubled past with illicit drugs...

Whitney Houston has accomplished so many things in her 48 years of life, but some will remember her for her crazy antics fueled by drugs and alcohol. How would you want to be remembered if you should leave this Earth today? Would you want to be remembered for the things you accomplished? The people you touched? Or the mistakes you made?

As we go through our lives making our own way, allow that question to be a constant mantra for you, "How Do I Want to Be Remembered?" When you are confused about whether or not you should experiment with things or just leave well enough alone, let that be your mantra. When you start to get discouraged because your goals aren't coming to fruition, let that be your mantra. When your peers start to pressure you to be like them, let that be your mantra.

How do you want to be remembered?

"I decided long ago never to walk in anybody's shadow; if I fail or if I succeed, at least I did as I believe."
       -Whitney Houston

Thank you Whitney for allowing us to remember you for that...not walking in anybody's shadow. You definitely succeeded.

Rest in Love.

Motivational Monday: Absence Makes the Heart Grow...

Ahhh....that was a nice break. Yes, I know. It's been a few weeks since I wrote something motivating for your Monday mornings. But just like I posted in my last post "Just Press Pause" I had to do JUST that, press pause. After getting engaged, moving, and working with my clients, my life became a world wind. I had to prioritize my life first before I could do anything for my business and then take care of everything else. And I have to admit, it felt great although I missed it.

You know how the old adage goes "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." We typically say it in regards to people that we want to miss us, but rarely do we use it in regards to our dreams, opportunities, or professional life. I love being an event planner, furthermore, I love being an entrepreneur and what it stands for, but sometimes it can become my life. By leaving the entrepreneur side of myself alone for a while, I am now able to further appreciate the goals and tasks that I have before me.

Before this year began, I constantly worried about having enough time and energy to do all the things and projects I have coming up, now that my life is back in working order and flowing effortlessly, my professional life will flow as well. So I challenge everyone who is feeling overwhelmed, lost, or flustered to step away. Allow yourself to miss what you do and what you love about what you do before you start to hate it.

Absence (from your work) makes your heart (for what you do) grow fonder."

Motivational Monday: Just Press Pause

Overwhelmed to the max! That's how I've been feeling lately. Between getting engaged, preparing to move, accomplishing business goals, working for clients, preparing for upcoming projects and realizing personal goals I feel like a circus juggler. Although I am used to having many things going on, it just seems like too much! I spoke to a few of my friends and associates about it and they all pretty much told me the same thing, "Just pause. Take things one at a time."

It's in our nature as humans to want to do everything all at once. We want to feel like supermen and superwomen and say that we can accomplish fifty million tasks. I am admitting that WE ARE NOT! No matter how much we want to believe we are, no matter how much we try to be, we are not! When we feel overwhelmed, we need to JUST. PRESS. PAUSE. (I might be saying this more for myself but...) JUST. PRESS. PAUSE.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast-you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."
       -Eddie Cantor

Motivational Monday: Believing in yourself

I've been hearing so many people talk, excitedly, about what they will be accomplishing this year and how they are ready to live out their dreams and realize their goals. As I listen to these people and get excited for them, I think about how successful they are going to be simply because they believed in their ability to make that dream/ goal a reality.

Have you ever been in a situation where you spoke to someone who want to do something or be someone but they always failed in execution because they didn't believe in themselves? It's like wasted potential...and it's sad. In my opinion, a large percentage of what we accomplish is rooted in the belief that we can and will do it.

So to all my dreamers out there, my goal setters, my accomplishes...believe in yourself...like I believe in you.

"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."
        -Unknown

Motivational Monday: Starting your journey

2012 is officially in! Have you started your journey or are you still waiting for someone to pick you up? I would have to say that my journey in 2012 began in 2011 with all the seeds I planted. As I sat at my desk reviewing the previous year, I was reminded how much I accomplished and how much I prepared for last year! 365 days goes by so fast and we fail to realize that we are always on a journey with multiple destinations.

Whatever your destination(s) are this year, don't wait for the opportunity to come to you and DO NOT wait for someone to pick you up! Your journey began when you first thought of your destination so NOW is the time to put rubber to pavement and get moving!

"Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing world."
       -Lauren Bacall

Wisdom Wednesday: On courage

I know someone who did something really special that I know had to take a lot of courage to plan and execute.;)

It led me to think about what courage is and how we could all use more of it. Too often we choose not to do something because we are too fearful just to live a life full of regrets. We like to think that courage is the absence of fear in the face of adversity, but even the courageous (soldiers, emergency personnel, your parents) has fear. It is the way in which they use their fear to energize themselves when faced with adversity.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."
        -Steve Jobs

Thoughtful Tuesday: Taking Risks

As the new year ushers in, what risks are you thinking about taking to be a better you? Are you going to try a new fitness regiment? Or maybe meet some new people? Possibly go to some new places...travel even? When we think about our New Year's Resolutions and where we hope to be this time next year, we must think about the risks that are involved in ensuring that our goals are met. Now I know when you think about risks, you think mostly of the negative. The what if? We are so caught up in our fears that we forget about the risks that are involved if we DON'T accomplish our goals.

But instead of asking ourselves, "what if this doesn't happen? or what if I am unable to accomplish it?" think of "what you would do if you knew you couldn't fail?"

"What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?"

What would you do? It is the confidence we give ourselves in THAT question that allows us to meet our goals with minimal fears. It is through asking ourselves that question that we can not only realize our dreams, but also make our dreams bigger.

As you go into the new year, thinking about your resolutions and goals, don't spend time contemplating the negative risks, think about the positives risks as well. Think about your sense of accomplishment. Ask yourself "What would you do, if you couldn't fail?"

Motivational Monday: On Being Prepared

As the year comes to a close, and 2012 begins to usher itself in, I can't help but think about all the "prophecies" of 2012 and what it could have in store. I'm not sure how I feel about "impending doom" however, I have noticed that things seem to be aligning themselves in a very interesting way.

I can't help but consider the thought to get prepared for whatever the new year has in store. Whether it be increasingly disastrous weather, heightened political and social upheaval or even new opportunities, I want to be prepared for whatever life has in stored for us. I'm sure we'll see as the new year comes in, people will begin to live their lives as if tomorrow could be the last. How we SHOULD live our lives daily.

I'm sure that this time next year, we will see an increase in people's fearful behaviors for the suggested "end of days" on 12.21.12. I think instead of sitting and waiting for something to happen, you should prepare yourself and find ways to make things happen positively and to the best of your abilities...at least for you.

Regardless of your beliefs and what you think might happen...just. be. prepared. Be prepared emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally, and psychologically for the bad AND good the new year has in store for all of us.

"Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program."
       -Spencer W. Kimball

Motivational Monday: On Forming Habits

The holidays are coming up and although we are thinking about spending time with family we haven't seen all year, we also find ourselves thinking about the new year that is literally right around the corner. With the thought of the new year and all of its surprises we have yet to experience, the one thing that is constantly on everyone's mind are their New Years' Resolutions.

Every year, we find ourselves making promises to form habits that we hope will make us better, richer, wiser, healthier. We wait until the holiday feasting is over, the presents are opened, and the fun is out before we decide to take our resolutions and try our best to transform them into our new daily habits. But my question is "WHY?" Why would you wait until January 1st to try to formulate a habit just to leave it out in the cold not even two weeks down the line? And then when the Spring and Summer come we curse ourselves for not sticking to our New Years' Resolution JUST to start the cycle all over again come the new holiday season! STOP IT!

Stop waiting until the new year rushes in to form a habit. Why not form a habit starting in December or even after Thanksgiving so that when January 1st rolls around, not only can you stick to your new New Years' Resolution but it's a habit that you can't see yourself break. It's common knowledge that it takes about 21-28 days to form a habit, but that truly depends on what habit you are forming and the type of person you are. It depends on your determination and willingness to maintain the ultimate goal or purpose that you are trying to pursue.

I know several life coaches and fitness gurus started the 30 day challenges and invited others to join in at the start of December, but like I said it takes aproximately 21 days to form a habit. So I challenge you, if you have a long list of resolutions that you hope to turn into life changing habits, START TODAY! As of this post there are approximately 20 days until the new year comes in.

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
       - Jim Ryun

If you liked this post and all of my Motivational Monday posts, please click that Tweet, Like, +1 button! And don't forget to follow the blog to get posts in your email! Thank you for allowing me to motivate you!

Motivational Monday: On Starting Over

Have you ever had a situation that you prepared for, expected, and hoped would happen...but unfortunately it didn't. You put so much into that one situation that when it doesn't turn out the way you wanted you literally want to just give up. Although it is tempting, DON'T GIVE UP!

Just because whatever you were doing or wanted didn't come to fruition today, doesn't mean that there isn't a good chance that it COULD actually happen later. Sometimes our blessings don't come to us now because we are not currently prepared for it. You might need to take a break...whether it be for a few hours, days or weeks, just know that all you have to do is start over and try harder.

"Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
       - Mary Anne Radmacher

...and succeed...

Have a Happy Monday!

Motivational Monday: On Gratitude

Thanksgiving Day is over. We spent the day thinking about all the things we were thankful for whether it be the people in our lives, the blessing and opportunities we have, or the sacrifices we made to be better. But I often wonder, "why must we show gratitude and thanks on only ONE DAY of the year?" What happened to showing gratitude and being gracious on the other 365 days of the year? As I watched my timeline fill with horror stories of Black Friday shopping and gluttonous indulgence, I wondered if those people (me included) thought about gratitude and thanks not even 24 hours after the Day of Thanks...

We should always make a conscious effort to be gracious and show gratitude daily. It can be in the simplest of thank yous or something grand, but we definitely shouldn't allow the gratitude to sit and fester until we think THAT one day is the right time to express it.

EVERY DAY IS A GREAT DAY TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE. As you begin your weeks, shopping for cyber deals, returning to work and school, or recouping...remember show gratitude.

"As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world."
       -Terri Guillemets

Motivational Monday: On Being Happy

As we go into this week spending time with our family and friends and of course feasts, we are all thinking about what we are thankful for and such. I wanted to begin the week on thinking about being happy and why being thankful for what you have should bring happiness to your life. I'm not going to do too much writing since I have some posts for tomorrow going into my self journey of finding happiness again. So, for you...Motivational Monday's quote.

"Stop looking for reasons you are not happy. Focus on the things you do have, and the reasons you should be happy."
       -Unknown