Inspiration for the Mind, Body & Soul
A BLOG DEVOTED TO SHARING POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING MESSAGES FOR THE HUNGRY HEART
“Take responsibility for your own happiness, do not expect people or things to bring you happiness, or you could be disappointed.”
― Rodolfo Costa
You and you alone are in charge of your happiness. It is not the responsibility of other people or external things to make you happy. No, you must take ownership of your life, including the good and not so good. For true happiness and contentment can only come from within.
“Each of our lives is a separate and precious journey. No matter how happy, sad, painful, tragic or confusing it may by, it is unique and beautiful. No matter if we hurt others or if we ourselves were hurt, it happened and it is part of our story.
If we think we can have complete control over this journey, our journey will wake us up… usually with a very unpleasant surprise.
More than genetics, money or education, it is our journey who defines who we are. It defines what kind of person you are. Not the experiences you encountered nor the happy or traumatic events you may have endured. But rather how we dealt with those events and how we continue to deal with those events; when we evaluate ourselves and how we treat others.
Your journey is part of your story. But it is not the complete story of who and how you are. You are a soul, a spirit, who has traveled through this life and along the way; you learned and gathered bits and pieces from here and there. And you, yourself, have woven together a soul, a spirit. And that is who you are today. You define… you.
Oh, and just in case you thought your journey, your story was over… surprise, its not. So keep weaving. You are not finished yet. It is never to late to define who you are.”
― José N. Harris
As you grow and evolve throughout life, you will find yourself redefining who you are along the way. You will find your priorities and what drives you changing. So, embrace the fact that your story is ever changing and at any point you can change the narrative.
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
― Muhammad Ali
The word impossible should be eliminated from your vocabulary. For impossible is merely a self-defeating mindset that does nothing but impede your ability to progress and grow in life. You must instead embrace the notion that your life is full of limitless possibilities where you have but to dream it to make it a reality.
“You are here, alive and awake and for whatever reasons you have fought your battles, it’s time to start focusing on what strengths pulled you up when the entire world had knocked you down. That’s where the virtue in self grows.”
― Nikki Rowe
Instead of focusing on all the bad things that happened to you, choose to focus instead on the fact that you survived your storms and managed to put the pieces back together. Reflect on the lessons you’ve learned and the strengths that pulled you through. For this is how you continue to grow and better equip yourself to handle whatever life throws at you next.
“No one rises above who he or she has been without first having fallen down. The best time – in fact, the only time – to make a real change in your life is in the moment of seeing the need for it. He who hesitates always gets lost in the hundred reasons why tomorrow is a better day to get started.”
― Guy Finley
Don’t wait until tomorrow to make changes in your life. The right time is now. For when you put things off, you’re more likely to find an excuse not to do it. So stop thinking so much and start acting.
“I believe that you’re great, that there’s something magnificent about you. Regardless of what has happened to you in your life, regardless of how young or how old you think you might be, the moment you begin to think properly, there’s something that is within you, there’s power within you, that’s greater than the world. It will begin to emerge. It will take over your life. It will feed you. It will clothe you. It will guide you, protect you, direct you, sustain your very existence, if you let it. Now, that is what I know for sure.”
― Michael Beckwith
When you believe in yourself, there is no obstacle you cannot overcome or any mountain too high to climb. The key is you must see that strength and greatness within yourself. You must believe that you are capable of achieving anything in this life. For once you believe it, you will start to see that power manifest itself in all aspects of your life.
“I’ve pursued dreams and achieved them, but I don’t think anybody should think their life is incomplete if they don’t follow some dream. Happiness doesn’t come from achievements, or money, or any sort of treasure. Happiness is a frame of mind, not a destination. It’s appreciating what you’ve got and building relationships with those around you.”
― Janette Rallison
One of life’s greatest lessons is that happiness is a frame of mind. Happiness is a choice. It is a choice to accept yourself, your circumstances, and learn to find joy in every moment of life – rain or shine. Happiness isn’t about how much money you make; rather, it is about the relationships you build. It’s about the love you share with others and the lives you touch for the better.
“People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action.”
― Steve Maraboli
What you get out of life ultimately depends on your attitude and perspective. If you choose to only see the glass as half empty and treat life with a negative attitude, then you will likely have a miserable life. Whereas, if you choose to greet life with a positive, can and will do attitude, you will find yourself much happier even though things aren’t perfect. So, each morning choose to embrace all that the day may encompass good and not so good and greet the sunrise with a smile.
“Anger … it’s a paralyzing emotion … you can’t get anything done. People sort of think it’s an interesting, passionate, and igniting feeling — I don’t think it’s any of that — it’s helpless … it’s absence of control — and I need all of my skills, all of the control, all of my powers … and anger doesn’t provide any of that — I have no use for it whatsoever.”
― Toni Morrison
Anger helps no one, no situation, and more importantly, it hurts you. Holding onto anger prevents you from moving forward and leaves you stuck with the baggage of yesterday. So, you must learn to let go, and heal so that you can progress forward in your life and relationships.
“There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.”
― Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain
You can’t go through life too afraid to take chances for that’s not living. So, you must remind yourself to always try even though you will undoubtedly fall short at times. But, regardless, you will grow as a person for having put yourself out there and it will make the times you do win the race that much more meaningful.