DO THE THINGS YOU ARE MEANT TO DO

Building confidence and finding peace happens when you arrive at this place of living your purpose. Of working or living where you are meant to be.

It sometimes takes the hardest and most challenging of journey's to finally make you realize what truly makes you happy. Those things you are naturally talented at and passionate for.  Those things that many may take a life time to decide to pursue or live with regrets that they never did.

Building confidence and finding peace happens when you arrive at this place of living your purpose. Of working or living where you are meant to be.

What is that you ask?

You will certainly know it when you find it and in the meantime keep asking yourself what it is you really want out of life and keep moving forward.

IN THE SLOW LANE

For someone who has spent my career running from one opportunity to another, travelling to numerous cities and countries, multi-tasking the list which never ends and constantly in the mode of innovating new things, this blog may seem unlike me.

Not true.  As much as I love being involved, I absolutely need time to be still and rest.   I have been learning the art of intentional rest more and more this past year as there comes a point where your head might say don't slow down but your body definitely tells you it's time.

I love the beach. There is something about the sand, water and the wind that seems to wash away any concerns or worries.  It also allows me time to innovate new ideas, dream, write and release.  Find a spot and use it often.   Slowing down is not giving up. It's being smart, strategic and gives a reminder that self care is essential in sustaining a long successful journey.

WHEN THE FASCINATION BEGINS

The best way to peak your fascination is to start looking at the ordinary and find something interesting about it.  It is amazing how we miss seeing beauty and artistry at every turn.  Once you do start to notice, it is easy to get lost in the view and I know for me it helps to spur new ideas and new ways of seeing things.

Perspective is an interesting thing but in order to have it you have to start intentionally looking at things maybe more than one way.

Go create a fascinating day!

BEING READY TO SEE

More than ever I am ever appreciative of the moments in life that resonate as beautiful to me.  It may be something I see, eat or smell or it may be reminiscing of old memories and the telling of treasured stories that makes my heart full.

Beauty always comes when you are in a place of wanting to find it and see it.  Sometimes it is so hard, in those times of life when you feel in a 'funk' but slowly and surely, if you seek to find beauty in your day, you will start feeling grateful for the little moments that may have passed you by.

Life suddenly becomes must more precious and interesting.

LET YOUR HEART BE INVINCIBLE.

Resiliency is a skill only learned by experiencing life... and yes, that includes obstacles and hardships.

Once learned though, it can give you the tenacity you need to move through the challenges and opportunities that life hands you.  Never underestimate your power to overcome. The power you have to pursue your greatest passion and your biggest dreams.  Fear is just a byproduct of dreaming big!
It does not define you but instead of deterring you, let it drive you.

Photo Credit: Victoria Craig

MARCHING TO YOUR OWN DRUM

I met the cutest couple today as I was leaving an event. Not afraid to march to their own drum, 
this couple made their own creative hats and proudly told me they wear them all the time. 

Inspiration comes in many forms and learning to be comfortable in your own skin is a feat that 
take many a lifetime to learn.

A WEED OR A WISH?

What lens are you viewing life from these days?

Perspective is an interesting thing isn't it?  What one person might think a waste of time, another picks it up and runs with it only to create something beautiful from it.

Never ever stop wishing!  The right thing of for you is out there and will be worth picking.
Just you wait and see.

ASSEMBLE YOUR PARACHUTE

How often in life do we miss opportunities because we are waiting until everything is "just right" before we begin?  I have been an entrepreneur for a long time now and have worked with thousands of entrepreneurs over the years.  One of the key things that I have learned during this time s is that opportunities never come with directions.  If you want to cultivate new opportunities, start now!

As an entrepreneur, learning how pitch a concept, get buy in and then build what the customer wants is a terrific way to build a customer centric company.

It may feel pressured, and that you are free falling toward failure, but how thrilling and what a rush it is...and don't worry. You will get it all pulled together and figured out because that's what entrepreneurs do.

THE MOST ENGAGING STORY

There is something powerful about hearing someone else's story.

It is a way that we can see the authenticity of the person telling it and we get the privilege of understanding a piece of their journey that uniquely defines who they are.

Have you ever stopped to consider that your life experiences mean something?

That you have many "spark stories" as I call them. Those stories that spark meaning, understanding, belief or just allow the opportunity for someone to ask questions. It is through stories, that we can make a big impact and even change lives.

Don't ever undervalue your story. You may think you have nothing engaging to share but I know you do and we are waiting to hear it.

THE TRUMP CARD

Did you know that excitement and anxiety come from the same place?  That's right, they do.

Even though fear can get the better of you at times, redirect that energy for the good.   Excitement is a much better driver of happiness, success and fulfillment.

As you live the next week, keep reminding yourself of what a gift you have in front of you. The gift of live and of free will of how you will live the time you are given.  Try something new or take something on that you may not have done before.  Might be just the thing you need to spark some new excitement.

FEATURED SPEAKER: JUSTINE WARD

Justine Ward to be Speaker at MoMondays London         
May 12th, Aroma Mediterranean Restaurant at 717 Richmond St.

A Bit About Our Speaker:
Dr. Justine Ward has a passion for teaching people how to live healthy, happy lives. She speaks regularly in the community, delivering workshops and seminars on a variety of health and wellness topics. She runs a busy family practice, is a CrossFit coach and co-owns a nutrition coaching company.

Justine will share her journey of understanding. Through her trials and tribulations, she uncovered one question that she couldn't answer and as an experiment, she began asking the question of others. The answers changed her life.

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays!

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london

FEATURED SPEAKER: MICHAEL DUHANEY

Michael Duhaney to be Speaker at MoMondays London         
May 12th, Aroma Mediterranean Restaurant at 717 Richmond St.

A Bit About Our Speaker:

Michael Duhaney, Life Coach, Workshop Facilitator and Leadership Development Specialist is a visionary leader who sees the possibility in present situations while holding the big picture of the future.   He is a trained professional coach and graduate of the prestigious CTI Coaching and Leadership Program.  

Michael's story is entitled "What Is It To Be Alive" and will touch on the idea of being grateful for moments in life and to find joy even in the smallest of places.  

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays.

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london

WHY ARE YOU IN THE SHADOWS?

Are you just waiting for the day that you get your chance to shine?

Do you just keep waiting in the wings?  Waiting for the curtain to open and to be able to walk centre stage and take your moment?  A defining moment for me happened years ago when a friend of mine was bold enough to ask me if I was ready to take centre stage of my life.

WOW!  For some reason the timing of that and the challenge that went with it, had me thinking and reflecting for weeks.   During this period, I realized all of the dreams I had were in fact possible but it was my own shyness and insecurities that were holding me back and nothing else.

So.. I decided to step out of my own self built shadows and find the thing that makes me shine and take centre stage of my life.  Since that time, I have no trouble taking risks and scouting out opportunities to learn, grow and make a difference.  I have had wins and losses along the way but I know that I will never stop trying to find the light and live fully.

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

Embracing gratitude is an art.  It really is. Learning to be grateful in all things is a discipline that, if developed, can substantially change your viewpoint, your health and your whole view and demeanour about life in general.

I believe that we don't practice gratitude enough.  The more we condition ourselves in learning this, the more power we have to show empathy, kindness, consideration and love.  It also releases the mind of the clutter that worry and negativity bring so we can make clearer and more confident decisions.

PREPARATION FOR THIS MOMENT

There is something to be said for tenacity.

That strong commitment to stick to it and win.  To be persistent and build resiliency as you strive for something that is seemingly out of reach at this moment.

There is something to be said about arriving at the place of success, whether it be the new promotion, the sports win, achieving a personal best at something or even welcoming a new child into this world.

Every major milestone in life has smaller events that have happened along the way to prepare you. Whether they are good moments or not so good moments, there is no one I know that would offer to change their journey once they are through it and take time to reflect on their life so far.

Your journey is designed just for you and continues to refine you into the person you are meant to be.

Stick with it. Don't give up and press on! You are preparing for something amazing.

THOSE SERENDIPITOUS MOMENTS

Do you ever have those times where you worry about finances, work, health only to find out that in the end it was nothing to worry about anyway?

Or wondering how it is all going to work out and then it all seemingly does?

There are miracles that happen all around us.  Those things that just pop up and are serendipitous. Those things you can't really explain but you are sure happy that they just "showed up".

There are many miracles that happen and learning to see and understand that they are not always big.  It is a series of little things that happen along the way that once you start noticing, you will live a life with more gratitude and peace.

Trusting in the miracle of life can be an adventure. Are you up for it?

HELPING OTHERS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS

When you take time to care about others, with no personal agenda but with a posture of love only, it is amazing the impact you can have on the lives of others.  

One of the most recognizable quotes from the bible is from 1st Corinthians.       It summarizes what an act of pure love looks like.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

Love is patient and kind. 

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. 

It does not demand its own way. 

It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

What are you giving up on that you should be pressing through?  

Are you taking offence to things that have nothing to do with you or if they do, can you take the high road and be the bigger person? 

Showing love comes in many different forms.  Do not be self serving but rather use the gift of love to be of encouragement and of good will to others. 

It will change your life as much as it will change another.

LEADING WITH A WINNING ATTITUDE

The power of our own perception of who we are and the impact we could be making in the lives of others is possibly the greatest gift or the greatest disruptor.

Too often, we get in the way of making great strides in life because our inner voices are telling us that we aren't good enough, not smarter enough, not attractive enough....and the list goes on.

The fact is, you are harder on yourself than others. The first step to building a more confident you is changing the way you think and speak about yourself.   Kick those negative messages to the side and replace with all of the things you are great at.

If you believe you are a winner, then others will too!

WAKE UP AND SEE AWESOME

How you start your today is key to how your day will unfold.   Wake up and take hold of the possibilities that await you. The positive ones!   No need to stir  up all of the negative things that can happen, as we can all come up with many of those, but rather see the potential.  Ask yourself the question, "How can this day get any better?" or "What is possible?".

With an attitude that shines AWESOME, you have no chance of having a bad day.  Awesome people, do awesome things and awesome things can change the world!

Go forth and have an AWESOME day!

YOU CAN OVERCOME