Is it Friday yet?

So this has been one of the most difficult weeks that I have experienced professionally in a very long time!  Even working 6 weeks in Redmond, WA this summer doesn't even come close the crazy week I have had this week.  I doubted myself time and time again...and wondered what it would feel like to just say..."forget it"  BUT...I can not do that...I know that if I persevere I will be better...stronger because of it.  If I can only take away the lessons of the week and learn from them.  If I can find gratitude in the fact that I survived and learned from this week...maybe it is not all that bad.  The one thing that I do know is that I am going to appreciate this weekend!

(source unknown)

How I Faced Fear and walked away Victorious

Fear is a powerful opponent!

When I was a young girl growing up in Alabama I was taught to be fearful...yes it is true.  I was taught to be fearful of so many things...people...places...you name it and I was taught to be fearful of it!

It impacted the way that I lived my life in so many ways even into adulthood.

I was afraid to go by myself to the grocery store...and heaven help me - I would NEVER go to a movie or a restaurant by myself!

My fear kept me from enjoying so much that life had to offer.  I decided that it was time to let go of that opponent known as fear...but I had to do it in baby steps!

First baby step was to go to a restaurant by myself so I did.  I packed a book and ventured out to my favorite Mexican Restaurant.  All in all - it was not so bad.  I read my book...enjoyed my food and the bonus of going by myself?  All the chips were MINE!!!!  I was so excited when I paid my bill and walked outside to my car!  What an accomplishment that was.  I was on top of the world.

Now on to the second baby step - going to a movie by myself.  I selected a good ole chick flick because I felt certain that I would no look out of place if I entered the theater alone.  Best part of going to the movie alone?  Do not have to share the popcorn...yet another bonus!  I happily completed this baby step.

With each new step - I found myself looking forward to doing something new by myself.  I worked myself up to traveling by myself which also resulted in a rental car, maps, GPS and getting lost a lot but know what?  Getting lost did not scare me anymore...it actually opened my eyes to new adventures.

Some of my best  memories are of places that I discovered while getting lost.

Now in closing...I am not going to say that I have 100% conquered my fear...but my fear no longer controls me.  I am now able to identify fear and address my fears with a reasonable solution!

Today - am I free of fear?  Oh no way but at least I am able to recognize fear and not allow it to paralyze me.  I do not run away from my fears but I try to face fear head on.

Here is hoping that you too can take a baby step today to overcome fear!

Wordless Wednesday, Choice, Chance and Change

The Trip of a Lifetime

(Source Unknown)

If you could travel anywhere in the world...where would you travel?  Would you want to run away to the beach - to soak up the sun...feel the sand between your toes...feel the salty tropical breeze?

(Source Unknown)

Or would you head to the moutains?

(source unknown)

Where you feel the snowflakes fall gently from the sky...while trying to catch one on your tongue?  Ending your day in front of the roaring fire?

For me - the decision is quite simple...just point me toward Alaska...to feast my eyes upon the glory of the Northern Lights!

(source unknown)

I am not sure what the tugging is to see the Northern Lights but it is truly #1 on my Bucket List.  I know that there is truly magic and inspiration to be found when first setting your eyes upon this glorious feast of colors!  I know that words could never truly describe the beauty of seeing this for the first time but I would like to have that chance!

If you could travel to any one place in the world...what would be your travel destination...your dream trip?

I had to read this several times in order to really grasp the meaning of this...I mean after all we all get up each morning and do what we need to do...but we really do what we want to do?

What can we do different to bring purpose to our day?  

Maybe it is something as simple as smiling at someone and saying hello to them.  Maybe it is as simple as being nice to someone that it can bring some happiness to someone who was really having an awful day?  

Having a meaningful life doesn't mean that we have to have tons of money to bring meaning in our life.  It means that we see the special something in our surroundings, we see the person sitting next to us, we offer someone a helping hand.  

 

Have you ever noticed that each and every time that you are grateful for something..no matter how small - you begin to see the other many blessings in your life?  It is true!  I know without a doubt when I stopped complaining about the little issues in my life - my eyes were truly opened to the many wonderful and positive things surrounding me!  I try to take time at least once a day to be grateful for even the smallest things in life.  I then find myself rewarded with many more things to be grateful for.

Be thankful for one small blessing today and see if it doesn't multiple!

Shine your lights!

Have you ever met someone who tried to find fault in everything that you were doing even the smallest little thing?  

When I was in elementary school I had a piano teacher that was fcritical of everything that I played.  She almost broke my spirit and I finally talked my mom into letting me quit taking lessons from her. Thankfully my love of playing the piano was so strong that I was motivated to find  another piano teacher.  When in high school I found the most incredible teacher - Mr. Cooper - that allowed me to find my light again so much so that I now have a degree in music.  He believed in me and encouraged me.  I learned more from him during my short time with him that I ever learned from the 6 years with my first teacher.  Mr. Cooper helped me recover my love for music and my light was shining bright!

Here is hoping that you do not allow another to dim your lights and you find someone that helps your lights shine even brighter.  I wish that you too may find your Mr. Cooper and your light once again shines brightly!