Our dreams and fears...

     One of my favorite activities when I am on the computer, is trolling the internet for other interesting blogs.  I love reading what my fellow bloggers have to say; and many times, I look to them for the inspiration that I need.  Several months ago, I read a very good article about following your heart despite your fear. 

     Scott Ginsberg, the creator of "Hello, My Name is Blog", is an author, speaker and blogger that has made quite a name for himself.  This article of his," How to Follow Your Heart Without Losing Your Mind", really struck a chord with me that keeps me taking those baby steps everyday toward my dreams.  Although I loved the whole article, there were a few tidbits that really hit home.

     "Perhaps it would serve you better to lean into your sense of scared-shiftlessness." Wow!!!  He must have been following me around to know that's what I have been doing my whole life. As a major bookworm, I have always researched things to death, but would never take that leap because of being so scared. 

     "I think that’s the biggest challenge of following the path of your heart: It’s rarely well lit. And everybody is afraid of the dark – everybody. My suggestion: Instead of being stopped by not knowing how, try being sparked by knowing why. With purpose as your baseline, you’ll be able to gather enough momentum to sustain your efforts until how comes your way."  For myself, I know the why.  I know what I want out of life.  The how is just figuring out the most fun way of getting there while enjoying the ride!

      "Look: Life is boring when you know all the answers. Ambiguity is an exhilarating dance. Take its hand and spin it like a prom date. Are you willing to tear yourself away from the safe harbor of certainty?"

     Yes, I think that I willing to do just that!  Are you?

     Please take the time to go to the link above and read the whole article.  It will really open your eyes about your own dreams and fears.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  I would love to hear from you!

    

Some of my new heroes!

 

 

These people are my heroes. They have taken the circumstances in their lives and chosen to follow their hearts. 

 

  

 

This morning, my husband called me into the front room to watch a story on CBS This Morning.  It was about a man named Nick Vujecic.  Even though he was born without arms and legs, he has not let that stop him from living life the way he wants.  I have not read this book yet, but after getting caught up in Nick's infectious positive attitude on TV, I look forward to reading this soon.

 

 

 

 

After  tragic circumstances leave Cheryl Strayed reeling and questioning her life, she comes across information about the Pacific Coast Trail.  For some reason, the trail calls out to her and she decides to follow her intuition.  With a mixture of humor and raw feelings, Cheryl's story will inspire you to test your own limits.  I really enjoyed reading her book and would recommend that you check it out.

Fortune Cookie Future!

     Whenever I seem to be having a case of writer's block, I start looking around for anything that might inspire me.  In fact, I have even gotten in the habit of keeping my fortunes whenever my husband and I go to our favorite Chinese restaurant.  I figure that whenever I am stuck, I could pull one of these out of the basket to get my brain back in gear.
     Just the other day, we got our fortune cookies and mine said, "Choose your own path".  That was it, just those four words.  But that was all I needed.  Since then, I have been doing just that.  Working on what I can to move me further down my own path.  Rolling around ideas in my head and then committing them to paper.  It seems that once I get it on paper, it encourages me just a little more.

   What is it that keeps you motivated to keep going?

   Has it ever been a fortune cookie?!!
   
   Let me know...it might help me, too! 

Resolutions you will love to keep!

     So, we are just under two weeks into the new year.  How many of you are still doing well with your resolutions?  I know that 2013 is probably the first year that I will do well with mine  Why, you ask?  Did I suddenly discover the fountain of discipline?  Nope, not even close because that will never happen!
     What I did differently this year was to just choose to enjoy life more and follow my heart.  Each day, I try my best to fit in a few things that I enjoy.  I read a few chapters, do some writing and just try to relax more.  I also make it a point to spend more time with my family and friends. One thing that this past year has taught me more than anything is that you never know what tomorrow will bring.  Laughter, tears, good times and memories are something that I can't just  put off until I can fit it into my schedule.
   In the past, it has always been easy for me to get bogged down with all of the details of everyday life.  You know, the gotta do's and the shoulda done's!! Even though I am still getting my gotta's and shoulda's done, I try to spend a little time each day on my dreams for tomorrow.  I am not just going to wake up someday and say "Okay, tomorrow is here and time to get started!"  If I put a little bit of tomorrow into each day,  it just makes each day so much nicer!!
    It is after midnight here.  So, I can honestly ask you this question:  What are you going to do today to bring tomorrow into today?  What little baby steps are you going to take today?  Please take a few seconds to tell me your plans.  You never know who else you might inspire to follow their hearts!

What are your  "tomorrow" plans for today?



    

Small favor to ask!

     Hey, everybody...I have a favor to ask.  I am new to this blog thing and am learning as I go.  I know that several people are reading the posts here.  One person even caught me a while back when I hadn't posted as often and asked me if everything was okay.  She was worried about me, because she hadn't seen any recent postings.
    If I know that you guys are out there and that you are reading my posts, my question arises when I look at the stats for the blog. It is not showing that I have page views or followers.  I am learning as I go here, and maybe I have done something wrong.  That might be why it is not showing up in the stats.
     So, the favor that I am asking is could you please stop by and leave a comment for me (so I know that you are out there!!!).  I would appreciate it very much!  I hope that you are having a terrific week and that your baby steps are taking you in the right direction!!
  

Happy New Year!

     Happy New Year to everyone!  As I was trying to decide what to write in the first post of the new year, I ended up in a two different conversations with friends.  Both friends have had very trying times in the last couple of years and have been doing their best in keeping their spirits up when life can make it difficult to do so. 
     One of these ladies told me that she has almost given up on her dreams and that it was hard to think toward the future.  As we continued our conversation, she decided to not give up on those dreams just yet.  And from her last comments, I think she took my advice to heart to "just take baby steps".  I know from past experience that just deciding to not give up is much more than a baby step.  I don't know if she realized how big of a step that she actually took today!  I am proud of her!
     In the second conversation, my old friend just needed someone to talk to about the struggles that she has been dealing with lately.  She has had quite a bit on her plate and has been feeling overwhelmed.  It would make perfect sense if she had trouble keeping a positive attitude.  When I asked her what I should write about on here, she suggested getting a fresh start and new outlook for the new year. 
     If these ladies can take their problems for 2012 and choose to 1) not give on their dreams, 2) take baby steps and 3) get a fresh start for 2013, I am anxious to see where life will take them this year! 

What will you do this year?  What is your baby step?