“If your forever was ending tomorrow, would this be how you’d want to have spent it? Listen, the truth is, nothing is guaranteed. You know that more than anybody. So don’t be afraid. Be alive.” ~Sarah Dessen
I have spent the last week in the mountains of North Carolina where peace and tranquility is an every day occurrence. I have re-connected with what I want from my life, plan with hubby for the future and just enjoy time with family.
I have spent many years letting fear hold me back from pursuing my dreams. I was afraid I wouldn’t be good enough, strong enough, or smart enough to accomplish the big goals I had for myself. I didn’t think I was special and I definitely didn’t think I deserved to be successful.
Have you been there? Have you been tempted to take a leap of faith but then stopped? Have you played the “what if” game? The results are usually negative, right? What if you changed the end result and the “what if” was all you dreamed it would be?
I did a lot of thinking this week.. I’ve decided I need to stop letting fear get the best of me and start taking action toward my goals. What are you waiting for? The SMACK of a near death experience? The sudden loss of a family member or friend? The diagnosis of a chronic disease? What will it take for YOU to embrace today and reach for your dreams?
Why are you waiting to transform your life?
Cherish Your Loved Ones
At the end of the day, if I had nothing else in my life but the people I loved most, I would be content and happy. Your loved ones are there for you during the good and bad times. They are your cheerleaders and support system, and their love is unconditional. How many of us have let work and the busyness of life get in the way of what mattered most.
It’s important to cherish your loved ones and make time for them because when they are no longer around you will wish you had one more moment to spend with them. Call your mom, visit your friend, and make the most of the short time you have on this planet before it’s too late.
Prioritize Your Health
This has become my number one priority. I have placed my health last for many years – drug addiction, bulimia, abortion and just bad decisions. Then came the “gray area” diagnosis of MS and Addison’s Disease. My health was put in perspective. The truth is if you want to live a long and healthy life, you must start prioritizing your health.
A change in diet – no gluten, no dairy and no soy. Okay, so I am a work in progress but I do the best I can. It’s time to stop all the excuses of why it’s too hard or there’s not enough time to eat healthy or exercise. Nothing else will matter if you get sick or pass away tomorrow because you didn’t make an effort to be as healthy as possible today.
Stop Taking Everything So Seriously
Are you caught up focusing on all of the little problems and challenges you face daily? Do you stress and worry about things you have no control over? Do you obsess over your mistakes and waste time trying to fix them?
I’ve been there and some days still am! For years, I’ve worried and stressed over the mistakes I made at work, not being the “perfect” parent, or not being thin enough. I’m a people pleaser, and extremely self-conscious. My feelings get hurt easily and I tend to take things way too seriously. The truth is, when you are faced with life or death, these so-called issues do not seem to matter at all.
Life is Too Short
We are only ever guaranteed today, so stop waiting for tomorrow. If you want to quit your job, make a plan and do it. If you want to find your soul mate, then put yourself out there and find him/her. Don’t wait until a near death experience to wake up and realize you need to make a change in your life or get your act together.
You Are Enough
I let fear and self-doubt hold me back for years, and I know I’m not alone. We all struggle with fear, self-doubt, and shame and we allow it to take over our lives. Successful and happy people are the ones who experience these feelings, but follow their desires anyway.
Whether you believe it or not, you are enough and you deserve to be happy. It has taken me a long time to come to terms with this and I still work at it every day, but I now know that I am enough… and so are you.
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 