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Paulo Coelho

Coelho’s philosophy emphasizes, “the search for meaning in life. He encourages individuals to explore their passions, discover their true selves and align their actions with their inner values and beliefs.”

His quotes are profound and we kept crossing paths recently. Some made me sit up and take notice and others kept swirling around in my head. They do make you think and that is a good thing about good quotes. Here are some of his more important quotes. Read, enjoy and let them take root.

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

I know this one really well. Fear is my constant companion and often it stops me in my tracks and keeps me from moving forward but I am learning.

“Things do not always happen the way I would have wanted and it’s best that I get used to that.”

“You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.”

We know this one well, don’t we? How often have we fallen only to remain there and let life pass us by? More times than I can count on my fingers but I’m learning to move forward, one step at a time.

“Life has a way of testing a persons will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen at once.”

Yup, when it rains it pours but there is an end to the storm at some point and that is the good news.

“On your journey to your dream, be ready to face oasis and deserts. In both cases, don’t stop.”

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.”

If that’s the case, I should have won a gold medal by now!

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.”

What if that new hello is as bad as the one you left behind? Just asking.

“Close some doors today, not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere.”

This one is worth noting.

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”

Hmm….like my walk in the fields?

“Love is a trap. When it appears, we see only its light, not its shadows.”

So true.

“Friendship is not about whom you know the longest. It is about who came and never left.”

I am still learning that not all friends are really friends.

“The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

This is my mantra because it basically means, NEVER GIVE UP!

Have an amazing day.

K.I.S.S. (Archives)

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“Keep it simple and focus on what matters. Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed.” Confucius

Confucius knows what he is talking about but how many of us take that advice to heart? Our lives are filled with little and big things that we can’t control or overcome, we let drama take hold and it goes downhill from there.

Why can’t we just keep it simple? Perhaps, it’s because as “humans” we have an urge within to add complexity to the matter at hand. We have a need to complicate versus simplify and that right there is the problem. Complexity is the enemy of simplicity and we are masters at taking something simple and blowing it out of proportion so that it becomes one gigantic problem, add drama to it and you’ve got an almost unsolvable problem and it becomes anything but simple.

If you embrace simplicity, your life becomes less stressed and easier to navigate according to the people in the know.

“Simple means that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. Let this be your mantra as you navigate the choppy waters of life. A recent Stanford study showed that participants who embraced a ‘simplicity first’ mentality were significantly happier, less stressed, and more likely to achieve their goals.”

What does keeping it simple mean? It means just that, keep things simple even though it is hard. Sounds like a conundrum? It might pretty well be. According to moderntherapy.online, here are some steps to help define what keeping it simple means.

Don’t expect too much.

Expect that things may not always be exactly how we want and try to be genuinely okay with it.

Don’t criticize

It is a lose-lose situation and it spreads negative energy. This leads to negative thinking and acting on it. Say or think something positive instead and move on.

Be Present

Living in the moment makes life simpler. Learn to be okay with your feelings even if they are uncomfortable.

Be Kind

Being kind will not only help to make yourself feel better, but it will allow others to get close to you so you can form positive and meaningful relationships.

Redefine things in your life

Attempt to redefine what is important and what it means to you. Prioritize things that will truly make you happy.

Ask why

Question yourself about why you do the things you do. If there are no meaningful answers then you shouldn’t be doing them. Be clear and ask if there is a clear purpose behind what you are doing.

Focus on yourself

Instead of focusing on everyone around you, bring the focus back to you. Shut down the outside noise and try to focus on the noise within. Life becomes better when you separate yourself from what other people think or their expectations.

Keep it simple. The next time life throws something your way which it inevitably will, instead of pouncing on it and turning it into a huge “WHY?” tone it down to, “It happened. Here’s what I am going to do about it.” Easier said than done? I know but worth a try don’t you think? Simplify and show complexity the door and maybe, just maybe it will stop coming around. Hmm…not holding my breath on this one either!

Keep It Simple

Missing somebody?……..CALL

Have a question?………ASK

Want to be understood?…….EXPLAIN

Don’t like something? ……….CHANGE IT

Love someone?………TELL THEM

Want to meet up?……..INVITE

Life is too short for drama.

K.I.S.S.

Keep It Simple Stupid

Have an amazing day.

False Friends

Fake friends are, “people who pretend to care about you but don’t actually have your best interests at heart. Also known as false friends or fair-weather friends, they tend to act like friends only when it benefits them.” http://www.verywellmind.com

I’m sure you’ve had one or two of these characters as so called friends and perhaps you still do. They’re opportunistic, insincere, and are only interested in what they can gain from the relationship and couldn’t care one iota less about you. When it comes to “showing up” in times of need, they are nowhere to be found.

Here’s how to identify fake friends:

They show little or no interest in you, your life and your problems. It is all about them.

They’ll approach you when they need your help but are invisible when you need theirs.

Their support is based on conditions, only when it benefits them.

They bring negative vibes into your life because they are in a negative place themselves.

They are jealous and they try to compete with you rather than be happy for you.

They break your trust by talking behind your back.

Spending time with them often drains your energy and leaves you feeling like there is something missing.

That’s because there is. A true friend is someone who helps you up when you’re down but you can forget about this concept with “false friends.”

Here are some quotes that help to bring the message home.

“Everybody isn’t your friend. Just because they hang around you and laugh with you doesn’t mean they are your friend. People pretend well. At the end of the day, real situations expose fake people, so pay attention.” Unknown

“Fake friends are like actors, they play their part until the curtain falls.” Unknown

“Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you. People are harder. They pretend to be your friend first.” Steve Irwin

“Fake friends stab you and pretend they are the ones bleeding.” Unknown

“Stop texting first and see how many dead plants you’ve been watering.” Unknown

I love this one and it does speak to the heart of the matter.

“A two-faced friend is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, hiding their true intentions behind a mask of friendship.” Unknown

“An open enemy is often a better thing to have than a false friend.” Unknown

“Sometimes the person you are willing to take the bullet for is the one who pulls the trigger.” Unknown

Choose your friends carefully and if one of these wolves in sheep’s clothing show up proclaiming friendship, you know what to do.

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” Walter Winchell

AND

“Friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things.” Paulo Coelho

Have an amazing day.

The First Snowfall

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields that it kisses them so gently? And then, it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” Lewis Carroll

Looking out the kitchen window this morning, snow-covered rooftops greeted me as Chachi, the cat, wagged his tail excitedly at the scene before him. It was the first snowfall of the season and it was beautiful.

Slipping on my boots, I made it to the fields excitedly to see what this first snowfall would bring. It was freezing cold and even though I was bundled up from head to toe, I could still feel the bitter cold as the wind brushed past my face touching my nose in a not so friendly way as it made its way to the open fields to play. It had free rein.

It was still early and the snow-tipped mountains were gleaming white from a distance. The ground closer to home was left untouched but it was wet and muddy, not really a pretty sight BUT beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say.

I wanted to see frosted trees all laid out like picture postcards but I was disappointed. This snowfall was light and barely visible. The trees stood tall and proud their bald tops reaching to the sky. They seemed content with what was to come. Afterall, they’ve seen this cycle many times over. Nature was at work and everything had a time and place.

The crows were at it again only this time they were gathered in the trees and their raucous cacophony deafening to say the least. I wanted to see if the herons would make a showing so I headed to the spot where I had seen them last. Unfortunately, it was empty. Then I heard a loud shrill cry and on the other side from where I was, I spotted one lone heron standing still, its wings pulled tightly against it like a cloak to ward off the cold wind. Again, it stood there ignoring me as I wondered, “Why alone? Did it somehow get left behind? A straggler that somehow missed its flight for whatever the reason? What’s the next move I wondered. Just then out of nowhere I saw them flying gracefully past me. There were three of them their wings spread out, their spindly legs hanging low as they flew gracefully across the skies. One headed to the left and the other two stayed together. They didn’t land this time, they were headed somewhere. Perhaps, it was time to get out of here. The one lone heron was still there standing still perhaps contemplating its fate or it had made up its mind to stay and to weather the storm.

I left it there and made my way home hoping for more snow tomorrow. It’s in the forecast and this time I hope it will blanket the fields in white and fill it with magic.

“Snowfall rouses your inner child to dream and play once more.” Angie Weiland-Crosby

The Five W’s of Life

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There are many lessons to learn during our lifetime but according to overstu.com, the five W’s of Life helps to navigate us through the intricacies of this long and winding road if we learn the answers to the five question words. They are who, what, when, where and why. Learn them, find the answers and practice them to make the most of your life.

“WHO you are is what makes you special. Do not change for anyone.”

The message here is that you are special and unique and you do not have to change to fit anyone’s idea of what normal is. Just remember, you have something to offer this world just as you are. The people who are meant to be in your life will accept you flaws and all. No changes needed or perhaps just a little tweaking needed. Always remember YOU are enough.

“WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery. Do not be afraid to explore.”

This is a hard one. We want that crystal ball to show us what lies ahead because the future is murky and because of our need to know before taking that step forward. Guess what? Whether you want to or not, there is no stopping the future and you will just have to deal with it when it comes around. You can’t change the future but you can make it better by living in the here and now and putting your best effort forward to make it a good one. Of course, fear not the future is the message but it is easier said than done.

“WHEN life pushes you over, you push back.”

I don’t like this one. It means you’ll have to be brave to deal with whatever comes your way. You can certainly choose to give up but that’s not an option and if you want to survive what life throws your way, you’ll have to toughen up, put your big girl panties on and deal with it. Failure is one such experience. Not trying another and it often brings about missed opportunities and staying within your comfort zone another bad decision. Try and try harder. If you fail the first time around so what, try again. The message here is to NEVER GIVE UP!

WHERE there are choices to make, make the ones you won’t regret.

This one is self-explanatory. Make the right choices and life will be so much better but how many of us do that? We love the wrong people, we make the wrong choices in food, health and a whole host of other things. Human nature I suppose BUT if we are lucky enough we can still learn to make the right choices to get ourselves back on track again. Not always possible but here again, never give up and keep on trying.

WHY things happen will never be certain. Take it in and move forward.

This is a big one. How often have we asked why? Why did the relationship break up? Why did a loved one have to die? Why did this happen to me? All legit questions and we want answers where there is none to be had. You’ll have to trust that nothing happens by chance and some how at a later point in time the answers will be revealed to you. You’ve heard the phrase, “Yours is not to ask the reason why?” Well, hard to do, really hard but trusting everything happens for a reason might be a step in the right direction and not losing hope your stronghold.

Five questions to ask and to pay attention to the answers coming back. Step forward equipped with WHO you are, WHERE you are going, WHAT your life is about, WHY things happen and WHEN you do, maybe the secret of life will be revealed to you. Not holding my breath but it’s worth a try.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY.

Half-Hearted Connections

“You don’t deserve a half-hearted love. You don’t deserve someone who can only promise you pieces and not the whole. You don’t deserve someone who’s walking around investing time in other some ones. You don’t deserve a person who can’t commit.” Marisa Donnelly

Have you ever fallen for an emotionally-unavailable man? Have you ever wondered why you’re on a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs and you don’t know if you’re coming or going? If you’re caught up in a never-ending cycle of being taken for a ride, it’s time to get off.

An emotionally unavailable man is typically defined as, “not willing or able to truly commit to you and be loyal to you. This type of man will often want to keep things casual and undefined so as to not deal with any of the emotional components that go into a long-term relationship.”

The problem is even though these men are not available, it doesn’t stop them from being out there on the dating scene. They don’t want long-term but pretend that they do. They send out mixed signals and at times it seems like they want “forever” but it is more in their mind than anything else. The message they deliver is a confusing one and just when you think that you’ve found the one, they’ll show you different in a not so nice way. They’re there one minute, ghost you the next or worse still take up with someone else right before your very eyes. This is a relationship where you’re the non-entity and it is all about them.

How do you know if they’re emotionally unavailable? Here are some signs according to Victoria Miretti.

They cannot say they are looking for a long term committed relaitonship.

They don’t court you.

They struggle to have emotional or in depth conversations.

Their words and actions don’t match.

They are inconsistent.

You don’t experience a steady upward progression in the relationship.

I had the unfortunate experience of meeting one such person. He walked in like a hurricane ready to sweep everything away in his path and I was just coming out of a storm. He had all the makings of “the guy.” The relationship if you can call it that took off like a whirlwind but each time we got close, he took 10 steps back. I noticed the hesitation and put it down to fear because I was feeling the same thing. The problem was I was willing to settle for crumbs knowing full well that they were crumbs because I was coming from a place of lack myself. Having just lost a special someone, I was looking for a relationship. It was a perfect meeting of the minds. The only problem, it wasn’t enough and I knew what a good relationship should look like. This one was sorely lacking but I put up with the charade.

“Life is too short for half-hearted connections and meaningless run-throughs.” Unknown

Low-effort men do not invest in you because they can’t. They find it easy to walk away and take up with someone new in a matter of days or more specifically even before the relationship has ended because their emotions don’t run very deep and hurting someone is part and parcel of how they operate. It is a place where nothing affects them because their heart is under lock and key. A no man’s land or rather a no woman’s land as far as they are concerned. So why even be out there? I guess everyone needs love and if you hurt someone along the way what’s the big deal, right? The problem is, it is a big deal to the person who gets hurt in the process.

“Never put them first, if you always come last. Never give your all, if you only get half.” Unknown

If you’ve read my article, “Dating No-Gooders,” you’ll know that they are out there along with all the others that give “dating” a bad name. One false move will get you to where you don’t want to be. If you’re looking for Mr. Right, know that it is a dangerous world out there so step lightly. If he’s unavailable and shows the signs from the get go, leave him alone and move on. Some people cannot love you the way you want to be loved AND you’re too valuable to settle for anything less or for half-hearted connections.

How do you know if he’s emotionally available? According to singleover30.net, here are some signs to look out for.

If a man is present with you when he is with you, that’s a good sign.

This is not always true from my experience. The person I knew was all there when we spent time together and gave me the impression that he wasn’t shying away from anything but he was emotionally unavailable and hence the confusion.

He is comfortable talking about his feelings.

He is willing to talk about the progression of the relationship.

He won’t waste your time with half-hearted promises.

He will be interested in you and your life.

He prioritizes spending time with you.

Therapist: You saw the red flags though, right?

Me: I thought it was a carnival.

That says it all.

Have an amazing day.

Heart Break

“Hearts can break. Yes, hearts can break. Sometimes I think it would be better if we died when they did, but we don’t.” Stephen King

Standing before me, he looked tall and lean, his face showing concern and looking a little older, the grey showing at his temples as he said, “You’ve got to learn to forgive. Sometimes bad things happen and YOU just need to forgive, forget and move on.”

I watched him, my face showing nothing. This was the man who had once meant the world to me. He had never once apologized for his hand in the heart break he had caused me. The damage was done and he had simply walked away like I was yesterday’s news.

There are no more tears to cry, no more gut-wrenching pain and no more feelings of any kind. I was done and his empty words held just that, NOTHING of any kind. He moved towards me but I took a step back. A long time ago, I had run into his arms so willingly but that was back then when we were in love and the world was a much better place.

We are two strangers now. Our history together a thing of the past, the love we had shared written somewhere in the stars for all eternity and the heart he had so carelessly and so willingly broken had learned to heal but it will never forget the crumbling, the breaking and the realization that this same man I had once loved was capable of wielding such pain.

Love hurts and heart break is painful. Hearts break all the time, it is nothing new. “I’m sorry” sometimes takes a long time coming and in some cases it never does. However, those words don’t have the power to erase the pain and neither do they take away the hurt you carry in your heart. Perhaps, the words are just a defense mechanism men use to shield themselves from their wrong doing and to walk away with their guilty conscience intact. Whatever the case maybe, sorry doesn’t cut it. It is so lacking in every aspect but I don’t know what else can make up for it.

We stood watching each other, his eyes hiding secrets and mine devoid of feeling. It was awkward to say the least. Yet my heart screamed, “You know him well don’t you? You had loved him with all of your heart once a long time ago.”

The truth is he had loved me too. He had called me his soulmate and the love of his life but somewhere along the way, he became someone else. When that someone new walked in, he took off running and left me holding a bag of broken dreams and a shattered heart broken beyond repair.

Today, there are no more tears, no anger, no despair, no nothing. I watched as he walked out the door and as I closed the door behind me, I realized that the heartbreak had changed me. I had grown stronger. I had learned to put my broken heart back together again piece by piece. The cracks still show but I guess they always will as a reminder of the pain I had gone through. Forgiveness? It will take a long time coming. I hope one day I can say the words he wants to hear. “I forgive you.” Not yet, it is going to take time and that is alright too.

“People think that the most painful thing in life is losing the one you value.

The truth is, the most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of valuing someone too much and forgetting that you are special too.” Unknown

Have an amazing day.

SUNDAYS

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I woke up early this morning not of my own free will but because Chachi, the cat, wasn’t having it any other way. He had places to go and the “human” had no choice in the matter but to follow.

Dragging myself out of the thick and comfy blankets I was under was really hard. Looking at him with blurry, sleep-filled eyes I noticed he was sitting on the bedside table, his cute face puffed up and his tail thumping. It was a look of impatience and I have seen that look many times before. At times, I think he’s too spoiled for his own good but at other times I embrace it with my whole being. He’s my buddy, my shadow, a mini “me” in a fur coat and my rock when times get tough. Sometimes I think he knows all of this and more hence his power to wield and demand as he sees fit!

A sudden high-shrilled meow pierces the air and it sounds just like mommy! “C’mon mom, let’s move it!” he says as he moves to the door with a backward glance in my direction. Slipping my feet into fur-lined slippers, I move as he wants me to but very very slowly. My day is having a hard time catching up with me.

Once the door is opened, I head to the bathroom but Mr. Impatient lets out a huge sigh and a muffled whatever it means in cat language and waits outside the door giving me this, “God Almighty, can we MOVE it please!” look. There are no snuggles and wet kisses this morning. He’s about himself and what he wants but come to think of it, it is that way most days. I am learning that there is no teaching a cat, just when you think you’ve got them trained, they’ll turn around and show you how wrong you are. It must be all that cuteness that comes in a fur package and those large adoring eyes. He’s got me whipped!

After what seems like minutes to me and I’m sure “hours” to Mr. Impatient, we head down the stairs. He takes off like a bullet and heads to his window seat in the kitchen and peers curiously out the window. It is still dark and there is a strong wind blowing which is sending the last of the leaves hurtling to the ground and it has Chachi’s full attention. That’s what I call, “Action TV!” he says and plops down on the cushion and goes into a trance-like state forgetting the “human” standing behind him. All is right in his world for now.

I head on back upstairs with a hot, steaming cup of coffee and breakfast in hand. Sundays are for relaxing so I turn on the TV, get comfortable in bed and ready to find out what is going on in the world. The news today seems to be full of President Elect Trump and his new cabinet in the making. The names and faces are familiar and there seems to be a common element in all of his picks. Either they are criminals waiting to be charged or they have no experience or qualifications for the positions they are being picked for. All fine and good because Trump has none either so that works perfectly fine. So did I mention that the common link is their loyalty and almost child-like adoration of the man in question? Didn’t Hitler have the same kind of adoration? Just saying.

Moving on….

Just then, Chachi walks back into the room and looks at me with confusion as if to say, “Where did you go?” Sundays are for relaxation BUT mine begins and ends with my little love, Chachi. Time to shake it up a little? I’m still waiting for Mr. Right to walk in but he’s taking all the wrong turns so it will be a while yet before he shows up. Until then, the little furball has my full attention.

“Sunday is a good day to save the world in one’s pyjamas.” Adrienne Posey

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!

Nature, “My Other Love.”

“Nature has been for me, for as long as I remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion.” Lorraine Anderson

The rain had stopped but there were reminders left behind as I stepped over mud-covered pathways and navigated around small puddles of water. I had a sudden urge to jump in them as I used to as a young girl but I had to stop myself as I am a grown woman now and such antics would not be looked upon kindly. It was cold this morning but that’s nothing new. Winter was marching in and little by little the wide open expanse before me is being transformed into a bare and desolate landscape ready to go to sleep before the biting cold sets in.

Today, I am greeted by loud squawking. Birds were flying overhead zooming in and out haphazardly. Watching them I noticed that they weren’t heading anywhere in particular but just flying around with no formation whatsoever to speak of. Were they heading south? Each year, it is a ritual for the migratory birds to fly out of here before the cold sets in. It is a display of precision, of single-mindedness and of loud shrills and squawking as they made their presence known to those of us below who watched them mesmerized as they flew out of here and to places unknown. It was also a sign that nature was getting ready to take a well-deserved break from the breathtaking display of color to one of drab and grey. Today I was alone as I watched the birds fly and then settle in the trees nearby. Perhaps they were taking a break from their journey to recuperate before they took off again. Whatever the reason, I welcomed their company with a big smile on my face.

Approaching the apple trees, a sudden movement catches my attention. Two beautiful bob-tailed deer dash out from the forest line and across my path and onto the other side disappearing into a clump of bushes. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen any deer in a long time so this was interesting. The fields were certainly alive this morning. Perhaps the birds had stirred some life into them. As I approached the path where I had almost twisted my ankle the other day staring at some birds in the distance, I heard flapping and shrill cries in the sky. Just ahead and not too high up in the sky were six birds, their wings spread out like fans as they descended a little distance from me and landed quietly on the ground and then stood there as still as sentinels standing guard over nothing in particular. My breath caught in my throat. I had seen them twice before and not recognizing them, I had done some research and found out that they are grey herons. Slim, elegant creatures with long beaks and dark circles around their eyes. They are beautiful in a silent and regal way. I didn’t expect to see them today but there they were standing still and ignoring me.

In Greek mythology, the heron is associated with Poseidon and is seen as a good omen. Native American Tribes see the heron as a symbol of patience and good luck and in Celtic mythology, it is associated with transitions and adaptability and if that’s not enough to get your “happy hormones” in a spin, herons often appear to those seeking healing, calmness and stillness in their life. When you experience repeated heron sightings, it is there to remind you of the contentment that comes with knowing abundance is at your fingertips. All good right? I’ve seen them three times so it’s a wait and see approach now!

I decided to check out the deer and the birds as well. Something was up and me being the superstitious type, well not quite, but I do believe in some stuff so I was curious and needed to know if there was anything attached to these sightings. Remember what they say about black cats crossing your path? However, deer crossing your path is supposed to have an opposite effect. If you see a deer crossing your path, it is seen as a positive omen. It means that you will soon receive good news or fortune. WHAT?!! Let’s add birds to the mix why don’t we? Birds flying above you is a positive sign and it means that something massive is about to happen in your life and change the whole trajectory in the best way imaginable.

Hell, I’ll go jump in those puddles of dirty, muddy water, who cares what anyone thinks? Is nature getting ready to reward me? I don’t know but I have to get quiet, find a space to meditate and hope one or the other thing happens. Fingers crossed and I’ll keep you posted.

Have an amazing day.

The “Me” Concept

Who am I? Sounds simple enough but this is a hard one to answer. It encompasses all of you, the big picture so to speak. Who you are, what you stand for, what shaped you and the experiences that have made you, the “YOU” of today are all part and parcel of this concept. Understanding yourself is vital to how you interact with the world around you. There is only one YOU, and your identity is unique, It is made up of your values, your beliefs, your relationships and your experiences and that in a nutshell is who you are as a person.

However, interacting with the world around you is not always an easy thing to do. It is much bigger than you are and sometimes downright scary. Here are some quotes that speak to the heart of the matter and might even help with where you are in the grand scheme of things as far as your world is concerned.

“Focus on the step in front of you, not the whole staircase.” Unknown

One step at a time if you want to get somewhere and looking at that whole journey might just be a tad too overwhelming to say the least. Do it slowly and carefully and you’ll get there when the time is right.

“Once you learn how to be happy, you won’t tolerate being around people who make you feel anything less.” Unknown

Absolutely worth taking a note of. How often do we hang around people who make us feel less than we are? It is time to clean house and start afresh with people worthy of your company.

“The problem isn’t that your friends aren’t showing up for you…

The problem is that you’re still calling them friends.” Unknown

“You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with.

Choose carefully” Unknown

How true? Choose your friends carefully and the rest will fall into place.

“If you ever find yourself in the wrong story,

LEAVE.” Mo Willems

If something is not working and it becomes a struggle, change your strategy. You are not stuck where you are, there is always a way out to start anew.

“She wanted something else, something different, something more, passion and romance, perhaps, or maybe quiet conversations in candlelit rooms, or perhaps something as simple as not being second.” Nicholas Sparks

There you have it. Stop being the option and start being the priority. Stop choosing people who do not choose you.

Understand this….

“You can sound confident and have anxiety. You can look healthy but feel like shit. You can look happy and be miserable inside. You can be good looking and feel ugly. So be kind, because every person is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Unknown

Just be kind.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

This actually speaks to the whole concept of who you are. What you do eventually becomes your character. Choose wisely and do the right thing.

“Learn to be done with people, not mad, not bothered but just done.” Unknown

This is hard for someone like me. It takes a lot to say I am done but I am learning. Sometimes it is a matter of survival the choices you make. Choose wisely.

“In the end, she became more than what she expected. She became the journey, and like all journeys, she did not end. She simply changed directions and kept going.” Unknown

This last one is poignant. I am on a journey of self-discovery and self-development and in so doing I am learning to give up what does not serve me, to change directions and to move towards what does. Not always easy I know but this is where self-awareness and self-worth comes in to guide you and to make it just a little less scarier than it is.

Have an amazing day.