But you can.

"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves."  - Thomas A. Edison I think what it comes down to is that little voice inside your head. It will either tell you you can do something, or you absolutely cannot. There is generally no in between. I find most of the time that little voice is putting ourselves down, telling us we're not good enough, we will fail, no use in trying or believing.  Enough is enough.  We are capable of so much, we each possess so much power to achieve greater things, be whatever we want to be, change the world. Do not listen to that little voice in your head, doubting you. It wants to hold you back, challenge you and you need to push past it. If you don't like yourself very much...life is going to seem a whole lot longer than you like. We need to stop...re-train our thoughts, get a different handle and perspective on ourselves, our life and others and start to believe. Have faith, and make the voices in our heads believe in us, encourage us and help us achieve the level of possibilty that we each possess. If we believe we can grow, learn, achieve, love...our worlds would be limitless. The idea that we are powerful and capable, scares us. Frightens us that our worlds possess so much possibility that we think that there is a chance we might fail. Stop, re-train, re-charge.. you can. ******************************** “I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”  - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Judge Judy.

There is more to me than blonde hair, blue eyes and a smile. Idea: we stop being superficial and actually listen to people. Who was it that ever told us it was ok to make accusations and assumptions about people based on their appearance.  I find people judge too easily. Before someone even opens their mouth, we’ve made a judgment about them. Dear old Mother Teresa once said it best…

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

I’m understanding, empathetic and I always give people the benefit of the doubt…always. I may be forgiving and kind and unfortunately some people I’ve found over the years, take that as a sign of weakness. This, they believe, gives them the opportunity to walk all over me. Let me reassure you, this is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of my strength. The more compassionate I am, the bigger my heart is and the more my capacity to love and grow. Being kind is opportunity, it is a strength. It is being cruel that is weak and pathetic. Cruelty, jealousy and anger will hold you back.

But I am who I am and I feel what I feel and I won’t change. I like that I care too much about people and I’d rather be kind than cruel. I’ll smile at a stranger, be kind and polite, understanding and meaningful. I wouldn’t feel right if I looked at the world through eyes of anger and envy.

But I am not a pincushion. I am not someone who can be walked all over. I do not judge before I know someone and I think that takes heart. I refuse to judge a book by it’s cover because it always brings me back to what people would think about me. Some days I have bad days, when I’m grumpy and my head is flustered. I can be short with people, have a temper or even a bad hair day. If people judged me on my bad days…they would never want to get to know me.

"Great minds talk about ideas. 

Average minds talk about events. 

Small minds talk about other people." 

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Blonde hair, blue eyes and a smile. An obnoxious laugh and silly quirky lines. That’s me. I care too much and I’m passionate. This, I’ve found, frightens people. I’m actually comfortable with who I am. I’m aware of my strengths. It’s a take it or leave it kind of draw. I am more than a girly girl. I can make people laugh and feel comfortable and welcome. I am passionate and persistent. I am smart. I am strong...I like that I can lift weights, and that I can lift a lot more than some guys can. It makes me feel powerful. I hate that when I step foot into a gym, men instantly think I’m useless in the lifting department. I love when I show them wrong.

I am powerful and persistent. Optimistic and outgoing. I’m caring, kind and considerate. I find too often we are so quick to jump on where we fall short, that we forget our strengths. Trust me, I know I have weaknesses and flaws, many…too many to write down but I’m choosing to not focus on them, what is the benefit in that? Do I know what my weaknesses are? Yes and I’m working on them. But I’ll surround myself today with the good qualities about myself and I will not judge today.

Each person is different, the way they communicate, the way they dress, our worlds are different. Life would be awfully boring if we all were the same and if we all agreed on everything. We need to pick our battles, so who are we to judge? 

I ask of you, don’t judge me, don’t create a story about me and who I am. Don’t underestimate me and what I will do and what I am capable of. There is no better feeling than doing what you are told you cannot do. Especially when the limits are drawn so low. There is no better feeling than surprising people with what you are capable of. Especially, when the person you surprise most, is yourself.

Smell the roses.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

*******************

Power.

A few days ago I got to thinking about my life. Not just who I am, and what I do, but my life as whole…what I wanted, where I’ve been, everything. I kept having it drilled into my head, time after time, that I needed to live my life. That I needed to do what I wanted to do, and I needed to do it now.

There is no better time than the now.

It’s a great quote, and an even better way to look at your life. There is no better time in this moment to live, to be passionate, creative, to experiment with your feelings, your life and your world. If you care about someone, tell them. If you want change, if you want to do something different, be someone different, do it and do it now. Why wait for tomorrow? This saying is playing over and over in my head. I think I misunderstood it from the start.

I’ve been wanting to rush my life. I want to have things happen so fast. Things I want to do, I want to do them and I want to do them now. I want to own a car and pay all the money up front. I don’t want to be in student debt with student loans for the next few years. I need to finish school because I want to get out into the real world and actually start living my life. Once I do this..or get this, or finish that…then I can start my life.

Hello Holly: News Flash…this is your life. I’ve been living in this fast paced world for so long I’ve forgotten to slow down. There is no better day than today got mixed up with, you will never have tomorrow. I’ve been rushing my future and hoping for the next best thing that I don’t actually enjoy the best things I have right now.

 

What’s the point in moving forward if you don’t actually relish and indulge in where you’re at?

I thought I wanted to finish school, get it out of the way, fast track, take too many courses my head explodes. But then I realized, slow down woman…where are you hoping to go? And the truth is…I don’t know, and that’s ok. I wanted my life on the fast track, I wanted a job, a career…but maybe that’s not in store for me right now. Maybe I’m not like everyone else and I’m going to take the long way around. And I like it.

I realized, I don’t have to chose what I want to do or who I want to be today. I just need to slow down and realize…this is it. There’s no waiting, or rushing…I’m living my life and I get to choose. The power is in my hands, I’m in control. I’m not going to rush for the next best thing because I’m never appreciating where I’m at.

So I don’t have to choose today, tomorrow or next year. I just need to be present. I need to be present in my life, my relationships, my conversations. I need to be real, and passionate and open. I just need to be present to what’s in front of me and stop rushing things. 


We should be taking each day as they come and give it the best we have. There is no better time than the now, so do it…do it now. But appreciate the moment you’re in. Don’t rush your life or your days or the months to come…because you can’t get those back.

We are all at the same stage, some have experience more and others less. We are always chasing something, the next best thing, always wanting to grow but were not quite sure how. We are always confused by what we are capable of. We let what we want to do hold us back. We keep ourselves from accomplishing things because we fear we might fail, or run out of time, or time will go by too fast. 


I don't want to waste my days worrying about my future. It will come and it will happen to you too. It's life, it happens. It doesn't stop, it's always continuous and changing. I promise things will get scary, but where's the excitement in comfort? Why not try something new, and be available to your dreams and your passions. Be in the moment and be present to your life. We are capable of anything we set our minds to. 


Stop chasing things, slow down…and take time to appreciate, decide…embrace your days and your moments. It’s the power of now. Take a step back and look at your life. What are you rushing? What are you pushing? What are you doing to be powerful and present right now? What is holding you back? What have you always wanted to do but feared time stood in your way? Well it doesn’t. The only thing holding you back is you. So stop all your fears, all your rushing and your worries and be present.

Be present for your day and the people that surround you and be real. Realize the power of your moments and your decisions are in your hands, no sense rushing what is always available to you. 

Your future might scare you and you might not be happy with where you are out. So change it, decide and commit on something better for yourself. I've realized what I want most out of life is to be happy. You should be with whoever makes you happy.


I hope you smile every day.

Some simple, basic, plain old love.

Song of the day: http://youtu.be/8seXhayz1NA?hd=1

At the end of the day faith is a funny thing. It turns up when you don't really expect it. It's like one day you realize that the fairy tale may be slightly different than you dreamed. The castle, well, it may not be a castle. And it's not so important happy ever after, just that its happy right now. See once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you , and once in a while people may even take your breath away.  

- Greys Anatomy

Movie Night

Some fabulous, feel good quotes from some fabulous tv shoes & movies.

Juno MacGuff: I'm just like losing my faith with humanity. 
Mac MacGuff: Can you can narrow that down for me? 
Juno MacGuff: I just wonder if like, two people can ever stay together for good. 
Mac MacGuff: You mean like couples? 
Juno MacGuff: Yeah, like people in love. 
....

Mac MacGuff: [persisting] Tore up from the floor up? 
Juno MacGuff: That's not what it's about. I just need to know that it's possible that two people can stay happy together forever. 
Mac MacGuff: Well, it's not easy, that's for sure. Now, I may not have the best track record in the world, but I have been with your stepmother for 10 years now and I'm proud to say that we're very happy. 
[Juno nods] 
Mac MacGuff: Look, in my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person is still going to think the sun shines out your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with.       - JUNO

 At this moment there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world. Some are running scared. Some are coming home. Some tell lies to make it through the day. Others are just now facing the truth. Some are evil men, at war with good. And some are good, struggling with evil. Six billion people in the world. Six billion souls. And sometimes -- all you need is one. - OTH

If having things turn out the way you want them to is a measure of a successful life then some would say I was a failure. The important thing is not to be bitter over life's disappointments. Learn to let go of the past. And recognize that everyday won't be silence and when you find yourself lost in the darkness and despair, remember it's only in the black of night that you can see the stars and those stars lead you back home. So don't be afraid to make mistakes, stumble, fall, cause most of the time the greatest rewards come from the things that scare you the most. Maybe you'll get everything you wish for, maybe you'll get more than you could ever imagine. Who knows where life will take you. The road is long and in the end the journey is the destination. - OTH
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I wanted you to fight for me! I wanted you to say there is no one else that you could ever be with and that you would rather be alone than without me. I was afraid of getting my heart broken again, like before. 'Cause you hurt me so bad, and I was afraid to be vulnerable. And I was afraid of you and the way that you make me feel. And I know that doesn't matter now after what I did, but I just thought that you should know. This was how I spent my summer, wanting you. I was just too scared to admit it.  -OTH
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Maybe mistakes are what make our fate... without them what would shape our lives? Maybe if we had never veered off course we wouldn't fall in love, have babies, or be who we are. After all, things change, so do cities, people come into your life and they go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart... and if you're very lucky, a plane ride away - SATC

Worry Wart.

  I learned there are troubles of more than one kind.

Some come from ahead, others come from behind.

But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see.

Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me.

- Dr. Seuss

It's the funny thing about troubles...we let them get to us, we give them a lot more credit then they deserve and yet what? What is worrying or caring too much going to do? Nothing. All these worries and troubles that we stress about, care about, obsess about...they are doing nothing but weighing us down. If you have a problem: think about it. Can you fix it? What can YOU do to make the situation better? If you can come up with an answer...do it. If you realize you're stuck with the situation and it can't be changed, what's the use in worrying about it?

We spend too much time worrying, giving our 'troubles' more attention then they deserve that we spend too much of our lives being upset about things. 

Bad things are going to happen, guaranteed. People are going to let you down, leave you, you'll have your heart broken once or twice, get fired, get yelled at...it happens. That's life. Things hurt sometimes. The only thing we can do, is take it. It all really depends on how you handle what happens to you. You can't let one bad thing ruin all the good things you have.

I made a promise to myself: 

I am no longer going to let what I can't do, get in the way of what I can.

I am no longer letting my worries fluster my head, and my troubles take over my days. If I can't control it, then I can't change it...no use in worrying about it and giving it the opportunity to ruin the day. 

My mother will be the first to tell you: I’m the world’s biggest worry wart. As far back as I can remember…I was worrying, worrying about everything, even the smallest of things were on my mind. So one day my parents came home and they had bought me a present. It was a little multicolored bag, and inside was a set of 6 or 7 little dolls. I called them my worry dolls. Each night, before going to bed, you were supposed to tell all your worries and troubles to these little, hand sewn dolls and they would take them from you. These dolls would lighten your load and take your problems from off your shoulders so you no longer needed to worry about them.

So find someone, somewhere or something to tell your troubles to. The things that are stressing you out, weighing you down, ruining the groove in your day...let them go. Put them somewhere else where they can't control your head or you heart. Change what you can, let go of what you can't. Fight back to the things that are holding you back.

Let go of the troubles that are weighing you down. Your fears...let them go. Your worries...leave them be. Your hopes, your dreams, your passions...let them soar. Let them take over. If you surround yourself with negative thoughts of the things you can't do, or can't control, or the troubles weighing you down...you are going to carry that baggage everywhere you go throughout your day, throughout your life.

Decide to be positive, and happy and smiling. Let your days be filled with the thoughts of the things you can do...and leave your worries behind.

Hoppy Easter :)

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius & it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." 

Marilyn Monroe

June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." 

A woman of sheer confidence and sex appeal. Here are some inspiring and funny quotes from the lovely Marilyn Monroe. **Confidence, brains, beauty...this woman knew how to live and love.

"A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left." 

"If you can make a girl laugh, you can make her do anything"

"The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space." 

**One of my favorites...

"This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they are true friends. Don't let go of them. And sisters, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, but most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart. But you can't give up becuase if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about." 

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." 

Are you ready to be..

"Don't aim for success if you want it; 

just do what you love and what you believe in and it will come naturally."- David Frost

I find too often we are doing things we don't want, but things rather we believe we should. We're under the impression that we need to keep impressing, keep doing things that are correct to society, to our families, to our friends. But are you happy? When you wake up in the morning, are you excited about your day? Do you make the decision to be kind, productive, free, motivated and happy? We all have that deciding moment in the morning, when we get to decide which person to be, which foot to put forward and whether to roll out of bad in a funk or with some spunk! 

You may have been told from a young age, what to do or who to be. What school you should go to, which jobs you should look at. The kind of professions that are respected and the kinds you should avoid. The types of people you should spend your time with, the kind of neighborhood you should live in. There is so much advice coming out from our ears and our noses that you can smell everyone's opinions in the air. And yes - they are overwhelming. At the end of the day, this is your life, so who are you going to listen to? 

I continue to refer back to the sunscreen song, but it has such amazing advice: "Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth." I think it's important to listen, and have people express what they've gone through and what they suggest. It's respectful and they care, but you need to do what is right for you. You can only learn from your own mistakes.

I find too often we fall into the trap of doing what other people want, what makes others happy and what is 'expected' or 'accepted' by our family, friends and society. I'm a big believer in following your heart and doing what you're passionate about.
***********************

Lets take a look at me: I am into fitness, 

healthy eating and I like kids. I can be a personal trainer, a teacher…there are many options. Do I know what I want to do with the rest of my life? NO. Do I need to decide today? Tomorrow? Next month? NO. I have a life and I'm going to live it. I'm not going to rush any of it, I have today, tomorrow and next month to choose. The truth is maybe I'll end up doing something I love for a year, for 2 years, for 10...then maybe I'll change it up. I'll spend the next 4 years in University, work 5 years as a teacher and then leave. Maybe I'll be going back to College at 45 or choosing a different profession. How about I travel the world for the next 2 years and work wherever I want. Maybe I'll get married, have children and not want to work at all. That's the thing about life: it's never guaranteed, it's never promised, it's ever changing, high pace...and that's a good thing! We have change, we can do change, we can be different. We can stop and go whenever we want, leave or stay. It's up to us. I just want to always do what I love and if I find I'm not happy, I'm going to change it. 

My Life in this moment: I'm in school, I work, I tutor, I babysit. I'm busy, busy busy. But I'm doing things that make me smile. On the side I have my amazing friends, my family and I have my CrossFit aspect. I've got my fitness, my running, my yoga, my weights. I eat well and I take care of my health. I am healthy, a healthy body. Men sana in corpore sano means to have a healthy soul, spirit, mind in a healthy body. Now that is what I strive for, not only a healthy body but a healthy mind, a happy soul, a free spirit. I will never turn down my desires or regret a decision I've made. I will continue to follow my path and do what makes me happy..I am forever ruled by my passions. I think if you surround yourself with things that make you happy, people who make you feel loved, your life will be filled with passion and happiness. Life gets easier the days you decide to do the things that make YOU happy.

YOU! YOU! YOU!

 It's all about you today and every day. So do what makes you happy, follow your soul and see where it takes you. Take a look at yourself, are you satisfied?Leave the thoughts, the pressures, the opinions behind...everything you've been told to do, think, or the decisions that have been forced upon you. Leave them behind, accept them, thank them, acknowledge them...but leave them. This is your life, your decisions, your world...shape it to your needs and desires. The advice you've been given however, put it in your back pocket. Keep it, hold on to it...you never know when you might need some friendly support. Be present in your decisions and awaken your life to do the things YOU want to do.

When you do what you love, the pieces seem to miraculously fall together. And you will wake up, everyday, smiling.

Change is the only thing that is constant.

I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center. - Kurt Vonnegut

Take a step back and look at yourself. Do you know your fears? Your desires? Your limits? If you don't, get to know them. Realize your weaknesses, your motivations, your goals and let them settle. I want you to realize that you can have more, that you can have it all. Life isn't about always staying comfortable, staying too close to the known. We need to try something different. 


I refuse to settle for ordinary and plain and comfortable. 


Take a step back and realize, what is missing? What are you capable of? What do you want? What can you achieve? There is so much in this world, and yet we hold back. I want you to break past your barriers and see things from a different view. There are so many possibilities awaiting you, you are the only one standing your ground. We need to try new things, try change, develop, grow, evolve with this ever changing world and learn to love a little deeper. "I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over..." I want to try something new, be different, be challenging, be eager, be strong, be passionate. I want to be better. I will amaze myself when I believe in myself and do things I know I am capable of doing, because I can be anything and do anything, if I put my heart and my head into it.

"YOU have to want it more than anybody else. Because YOU are what is left at the end of the day, all alone, with your decisions and your fears."-Lisbeth

I find too often we settle for what we have, we complain, we get sad, we get scared...but we are in control. You'll always be where you are, if you never decide to do something different or go somewhere else. Why should things change if you don't want them to? You'll always keep getting what you're getting if you keep doing what you're doing, and YOU need to want it most: change. 

Forget what other people think, forget about failure, think about change, wish for something bigger, for something better - FOR YOU. This is your life and you need to do things that make you happy, you haven't got forever, so do it right now. Decide to never settle for anything less than the best, for anything less than you deserve. Don't settle for anything less than happiness and excitement and love. The moments...they seem to just pass you by.

Make them count.


With life moving at such a rapid pace, we sometimes lose track of ourselves,  of our needs, of our goals, of others. Never forget to believe in yourself, dream big, set scary goals and think beyond what you believe is possible. If you keep achieving and striving for infinite greatness and happiness in your life, you will forever be growing and learning. 


Even if you shoot for the moon and you miss, at least you'll land among the stars. 

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Build a bridge...

"People are alone because they build walls instead of bridges"

On this rainy morning (3:32 am..) when I'm taking a break from studying (working hard or hardly working?) I propose a task: 

**Extend a helping hand, show your heart in every decision you make today...make every situation count, every relationship and conversation have emotion and feeling**

Don't cut yourself off because you are afraid of possibilities. There is a decision to be made...we are the only one's holding ourselves back. We can waste our time, our lives, our relationships with the same old thing: comfort, settling, consistency, or we can make a change, be different, make connections, take a chance. You never know what could happen...but you most likely won't regret it. Choose for today to be spectacular. Make connections, give love and take a chance on change. Don't be afraid, not today. Today you should have faith in others and I hope you do.

"At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep people out - they fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So, you can waste your life drawing lines, or, you can live your life crossing them. But, there are some lines that are way too dangerous to cross. Here's what I know. If you are willing to take the chance, the view from the other side is spectacular." - Greys Anatomy