THANKFUL FOR _______________

 HAPPY (day after) THANKSGIVING!

On Monday, I threw out a little CHALLENGE to all of us (me included).

It is Day 5 of our 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE.  Today.....

• I'm THANKFUL for _______________

I think today, I just need to FILL IN THE BLANK!

Have you ever been so down...so beat up....so uncomfortable with how you feel?

You are so tired you can't sleep.

You are so angry you are sad.

What in the world is there to be THANKFUL FOR?

Ever been there?

Maybe you are there today.

I've been there.

Every time I'm encouraged to be THANKFUL, I say, "but, you don't know....."  Except I realize that no matter how big my "but" is, what I need to be THANKFUL FOR is SO much BIGGER!

I know things are missing....BUT what do I have?

• When I'm hurting, I have FRIENDS, FAMILY and my CHEERLEADER that are ALWAYS here for me
• When I'm lost, I have my relationship with the Lord that guides me back to where I need to be
• I have a great family (parents; siblings; spouse; sons; etc)
• I get to WAKE up every day and impact the world around me

Take inventory......NOT to what is missing.  NOT to what was lost.

Take inventory to what you do have.  Some are things....most are not.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude!

Find even the little things and be THANKFUL FOR ___________. 

How about you take the last 5 days as a CHALLENGE to look for things, EVERY day that you are THANKFUL FOR?  I know you can.

TIM'S 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE:

• DAY 1
• I'm THANKFUL for my relationship with the Lord
• DAY 2
• I'm THANKFUL for US
• DAY 3
• I'm THANKFUL for FAMILY
• DAY 4
• I'm THANKFUL for HEALTH
• DAY 5
• I'm THANKFUL for __________

THANKFUL FOR HEALTH

 It is Day 4 of our 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE.  And today is THANKSGIVING!

Today.....

• I'm THANKFUL for HEALTH!

HEALTH.

Have you ever taken your HEALTH for granted?

I know I have.

In my life, over the years, as I have "seasoned," I realized there were certain things I either couldn't do or shouldn't do.  Things I could control.

But when your HEALTH is compromised by something you can't control, that is a whole different level.

I have talked about my diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer here in the BEST YEAR YET blog, but during this 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE, I thought I would share some more.

Speaking for myself (I hope this will encourage someone else too), I can't speak for how others approach what they are going through.

I felt, and still feel, that my FAITH is a driving force in my life.   I have leaned in, heavily, on it for years...and this would not be an exception.  

Even with STRONG FAITH, I had times where I struggled....not knowing how I would be in 6 months, a year, 5 years, etc.

I took my HEALTH for granted.

I had things I still wanted to do:

• Run a marathon in every state
• Run all 6 of the World Marathon Majors (at the time of the diagnosis IN 2016, I had run 1)
• Play with my grandkids someday (none yet)
• Travel the world with the CHEERLEADER
• Write a book
• Go to all the Major League Baseball stadiums
• and on and on my list goes

Would my "LIVE LIST" be compromised because my HEALTH wouldn't allow me to LIVE like I wanted to?

I am blessed and very fortunate.

The cancer that was in my body was caught early.  It was contained to one area (my prostate) and had not spread.  When my prostate was removed, so to was all the cancer.

Today, I am cancer free!  As a precaution for the next 10 years (now 6 years), every 6 months I have to go in for a check up and blood work.  Small price to pay to take care of my HEALTH!

I don't take my HEALTH for granted anymore.   No matter how much more "seasoned" I become, I am very aware of the gift I have been given called LIFE.

How about you?

When was the last time you went to the doctor to get a physical?

Maybe for you it isn't physical.  Maybe it's the mental side of dealing with stress, perceived failure and such.

Go in for a check up.  Go talk to someone.  Go get help.

Don't take your HEALTH (physically and/or mentally) for granted.

Take care of your body and your mind....they are the only ones you will ever have.

Today, I'm THANKFUL for HEALTH!

TIM'S 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE:

• DAY 1
• I'm THANKFUL for my relationship with the Lord
• DAY 2
• I'm THANKFUL for US
• DAY 3
• I'm THANKFUL for FAMILY
• DAY 4
• I'm THANKFUL for HEALTH

THANKFUL FOR FAMILY

 

It is Day 3 of our 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE.  Today....

• I'm THANKFUL for FAMILY!

FAMILY....I was just thinking about the "perfect" family.  

My FAMILY's not perfect.....I'm in it and since I'm not perfect, there goes perfection!

Just like in a marriage, a FAMILY is made up of individuals with different ideas, up-bringing, styles, etc....ALL in one FAMILY!

I come from a family of 8 kids.

I have 3 kids (now adults).

My 3 sons have differing opinions.

My 7 other siblings have differing opinions.

The CHEERLEADER and I, at times, have differing opinions.

The commonality.....WE.ARE.FAMILY!

No matter what is going on, at the end of the day, WE.ARE.FAMILY!

We've been there, for each other for births, deaths, joys, pains, birthdays, weddings, events, etc. 

We've cried with each other.

We've laughed with each other.

We've laughed AT each other.

We've welcomed new FAMILY members in.

We've sadly said good-bye to others.

All the while...the fact remains, WE.ARE.FAMILY!

During this time of THANKSGIVING and in our 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE, remember the FAMILY that you have or come from.  

Reach out...mend fences....it's never too late to fix things....NEVER!

What are you THANKFUL for?

TIM'S 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE:

• DAY 1
• I'm THANKFUL for my relationship with the Lord
• DAY 2
• I'm THANKFUL for US
• DAY 3
• I'm THANKFUL for FAMILY

THANKFUL FOR US

In this week of the "5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE," I wanted to make this my DAY 2 entry:

• I'm THANKFUL for US!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us for a couple reasons:

• It not 100% in focus
• Like our lives, we haven't always been "in focus" when it comes to doing life.  There were many times I "dropped the ball"...maybe a few times she did too.  But through it all, we always get back into focus.

• I'm hunched over
• Not the best of posture....but I am holding her up.  We went through more "stuff" in the last 9 years then we had in the previous 26...at least it seemed that way.  But one thing continues to remain, we hold each other up.  WE.ARE.TEAM.PETERSON.

THIS.IS.US!

Going forward, we'll probably "drop the ball" somewhere along the line and we'll most likely have more "stuff" to deal with, but we'll fight through it TOGETHER.

A few years ago, my mom sent me this couch pillow, for my birthday, with a graphic of a tandem bike that said, "BETTER TOGETHER."  She knows us well.

What are you THANKFUL for today?  If you haven't, go back and read through yesterday's BEST YEAR YET blog, "BE THANKFUL," and join us on this "5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE."

TIM'S 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE:

• DAY 1
• I'm THANKFUL for my relationship with the Lord
• DAY 2
• I'm THANKFUL for US

BE THANKFUL

 

Thanksgiving is in 3 days.

I thought I would take the next few days and focus on the subject of THANKFULNESS.

Earlier this year, I did a "21 day Gratitude Challenge" with some co-workers where we thought about 3 things each day that we were GRATEFUL for.

BE THANKFUL.

What I would like to do, beginning today, and going through Friday, November 27th , is to think about 1...yes just 1 thing that you are THANKFUL for each day.

Be deliberate.

Be intentional.

Be thoughtful.

Is it...

• your family
• your job
• your church
• your health
• your friends
• your house
• your pet

Whatever it is, get creative. 

Write it down.

Share it with others.

If your THANKFULNESS is associated with a person or persons, do something tangible to express that to them.

• If it's work, bring in donuts or coffee or donuts and coffee this week
• It it's a family member, find something that you can do for them to express your THANKFULNESS (send a card; give them a call; wash their car; watch their kids; etc)
• If it's your health, do something for someone who's health is a struggle right now (you can always go to my ST. JUDE HEROES link and donate to St. Jude through my efforts as a St. Jude Hero running the 2020 St. Jude Memphis Virtual Half-Marathon)
• If it's your church, see where you can be a blessing and volunteer. Believe me, they need and want your assistance....just be open to help wherever

You know, you're going to see mine over the next 5 days, so why don't you share yours?

"5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE"

Who's in?

DAY 1 of my 5 DAY THANKFUL CHALLENGE:

I am THANKFUL for my relationship with the Lord.  

I made a decision over 34 years ago that I couldn't do life on my own.  Some said, "oh, that's just a crutch" to which I would agree and THANKFUL that He holds me up when I can't!  

I want my life to reflect Him to others.  At times, I don't do the best job, but He is faithful to forgive, dust me off, and set me back on the road!  Not perfect....just forgiven!

AIM HIGH

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about goals and going after them.  I have written a few posts, regarding this topic and I can't get away from the subject right now because I believe, at least for me, there is a LIFE QUEST that is to be had.

In the Bible, Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it."  Your "vision," my "vision," are those GOALS that you have to go after. They are not designed to just be in your head or on a piece of paper, but to be executed and implemented on.  I have said (probably saw it on Pinterest) for years that "Goals without controllable actions are just wishes or dreams."  I have DREAMS, but I'm going to put actions to them and make them become a reality.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  Do the thing you think you cannot do."  She also went on to say, "Do one thing every day that scares you!"

With today's post, I want to encourage you to "AIM HIGH!"  What is that thing you REALLY want but think it cannot be obtained?  Have you ever heard of going after the "low hanging fruit?"  This is the easy to reach, instant gratification, stuff.  I want to encourage you AIM HIGH and go after the "HIGH HANGING FRUIT!"  That which others aren't willing to go after.  

There is a quote I have mentioned before, by Albert Gray, in his talk called, "The Common Denominator To Success."  He gave this talk back in the 1940's.  In it, he said, "Successful people are successful because they form the habits of doing those things that failures don't like to do."  If you want it, what are you prepared to do?  

Study the successful.  See what they have done.  You don't have to copy them and be exactly like them.  Study what it is they do and make it your own...be authentically you! Success leaves clues...emulate the process not the person!

So what is the "high hanging fruit" you are going to reach for that will help to make this your BEST YEAR YET?  I want to encourage you....NO, I give you permission, to get out of your comfort zone, AIM HIGH, reach for the sky and go after that thing that's been "burning" in you to do:

• Write a book
• Start a business
• Do a pilgrimage to Santiago (Camino de Santiago)
• Run the World Marathon Majors
• Run a 5K
• Be a stand up comedian
• And on and on.....

Whatever it is, GO.FOR.IT!    I leave you with this......

Final note:  Today ends my 21 days of posting "My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for Today" items. It's been fun, challenging, thought provoking, etc., to do this exercise everyday.  We all have SO MUCH to be thankful/grateful for.  I believe I'll keep it up...I just won't post it everyday moving forward...but I will drop them in here from time to time.  I hope you have enjoyed them and maybe even started your own Positive Habit of daily GRATITUDE.  

My 3 Things I'm Grateful for Today:

• Sunshine
• Sleep
• Air travel

YOUR FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead..." Philippians 3: 13 (NLT)

I really like what the Apostle Paul said here, "...I haven't achieved it...I haven't arrived..YET...but here is what I do...THIS ONE THING...."  If we are still breathing...still alive, we also haven't "achieved it" or "haven't arrived" YET!

What about you?  What is your ONE THING?  Paul's is a good one for most of us to grab ahold of and incorporate in our lives as well, "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead..."  But so many times, it seems, we are still STUCK in failures or struggles that we have had, that it stops us from pushing forward.  I LOVE today's start off quote: 

"Your past is NOT strong enough to shut down your future!"

I, personally, have "things" in my past that I'm not real proud of.  Thing that I said and did that I can't get back.  "They" say you "can't un-ring the bell," (which is another post for another day), and even though I can't, what I can do is "own my past" and keep my focus...my vision in front of me.  I have said many times before, "My response is my responsibility," and if I own the past, it's up to me to be disciplined to the actions I CAN control, moving forward.

There is so much potential in front of you that if your future self found a DeLorean and came back to you, he/she would tell you to not look back...but press on/press forward because there are GREAT things in store for you.  I'm guessing your future self would thank your current self for not giving up or giving in. Today, you might not be able to see it...but I'm here to tell you that it is THERE.

So, don't look back, because you are not going that way.  Keep you "hand to the plow" and "eyes forward" because your future's so bright...you gotta wear shades!

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• Fresh sheets on my bed
• Friends who inspire
• Opportunity to travel

THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT

If you have known me for at least 5 minutes, you know that I use sports analogies to point to everyday truths that we face.  I'm sure most of us have heard the saying, "the ball's in your court."  It's a statement letting us know that someone..in this case us...needs to make a decision.  We have control of the "ball," what are we going to do with it?

Which direction will you go from here?

We've been talking a lot lately about our goals and dreams in relation to our BEST YEAR YET.  The late Jim Rohn once said, "There are two pains: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret.  The difference is discipline weighs ounces and regret weighs tons."  Which one will you choose?  

I remember having a conversation with one of my sons and I told him, "You don't want to wake up when you're 40 and say, I wish I would have.  It would be better to say, I'm glad I did."

THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT!  Now what?

START!

Recently, I quoted the late Don Shula, saying, "The START is what STOPS most people."  It's great to have a well thought out plan.  It's great to do all the prep work to get ready to "launch out into the unknown."  BUT.....you gotta START!  Take that LEAP OF FAITH!

Don't live in the place of regret where you wake up one day and say, "I miss me.  I miss everything I'll never be."

Today, I'm here to tell you that YOU CAN DO IT.  Yes, you have decisions to make...THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT!  Take a risk, make your decision and JUMP....you'll be glad you did.

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• Friday
• Spring Rain
• Friends who challenge my thinking

COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES

Growing up, I did my best to stay in the lines when coloring or painting.  I could get close, but there was always some "spillage" over the line.  

Even as an adult, when the CHEERLEADER has wanted to paint some walls in the house and I have helped, especially if it has to do near where the wall and ceiling meet, yep, there's paint on the ceiling.  Needless to say, I'm heavy labor now and an occasional mass wall painter, but nothing in the tight detail sense.

I was thinking about life and for me, to have a BEST YEAR YET, I need to live with a "color outside the lines" mentality.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all about detail and such, but I realize that LIFE is messy at times.  I've heard it said and even said it myself, "NO MESS....NO MESSAGE!"  I really believe that we...well maybe just me....can take our "mess" and make something beautiful out of it.

Don't let a past "mess" detour your today "message!"  The Greek's have a saying, "pame" (paw-may), which means, "Come on, let's go!"  So take your "color pallet" and PAME!

It's OK if your "lines" aren't perfect.  What is perfect anyway?  What I see/view as perfect, could be much different than someone else's view point.  EMBRACE your "perfect," and continue to embrace the symphony of "COLOR" that makes up your life....whether it's inside the "lines" or not!

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• A crisp apple
• My house
• My garage door opener

MY DOG'S INTERNAL CLOCK

Bella the DOG

In August of 2015, the CHEERLEADER and I "rescued" Bella the DOG.  I say "rescued" in quotes, because, in reality, I believe Bella rescued us!

She's a fun loving, full of life, backside nub waging Boxer, who was 5 (we think) at the time we got her.  She gives the best hugs....and you know when you are in her "circle" when she gives you a hug.  Actually she hugs everyone (so I guess everyone is in her "TRIBE").....well, except the mailman.  She doesn't like the mailman much.

One thing we have found out...and maybe your dog is the same way, but she has this internal clock that is SO accurate!  

She's up at about the same time each day.

She knows, in the morning, when it's time to go into her kennel.

She has a pretty good idea about what time we get home.

She knows when her "dinner" is to be served.

But the best is at night.  Starting around 8:30 each night, we begin our evening ritual:

• Go outside and potty.....come in and get a "doggy cookie."

If it gets past 8:30 and we haven't let her out yet, she come sit by your feet and look at you until you ask her if she wants to go outside.  When you ask her, she spins and takes off for the slider that leads to "cookie land."  

We go through this ritual the rest of the evening about every 30-45 min.  Not only does she have this "clock" on the inside of her, she also tries to "PLAY" us.  Remember, the reward for doing her "business" is a cookie.  She'll try to just do "air squats" thinking we won't figure it out or she'll go to the edge or the yard, where we can't see her and then appear as if to say, "I'm done!"  Reminds me so much of our kids....or even ourselves where we are trying to "fake it 'til we make it."

ALL IN ALL....I believe she uses her "clock" to show us love and get attention.  She is so full of unconditional love (remember the hugs?) that she just wants to please us.

We can learn much from our dog's actions on unconditional love and how to just know it's the right time to do stuff.  Great lessons as we navigate through our BEST YEAR YET!

FINAL NOTE: Today is National Dog Rescue Dog Day!  Not sure who rescued who in our having Bella!



My 3 Things I'm Grateful for Today:

• Car seat (bum) warmers
• My back deck
• Life

WEATHERPROOF

I like to run.

I would rather run outside then inside on my treadmill.

It can be challenging doing your training, outside, in Nebraska, in any season.  

But, there are times that I do run into: snow; ice; rain; cold wind; hot ; humid and even some nice days.  So, if you are going to run outside, it is a smart thing to have the proper gear/clothing so that you have a good experience, regardless of the temps.  I have different types of running tights (thin and thick); socks; gloves; different stocking hats; layers of tops as well as jackets and coats for the colder days.  Also, I have warm weather gear too.  I am prepared for just about any time of weather there is.  I have positioned myself to be WEATHERPROOF!  

What about in life?  How many times are we prepared for the "STORMS OF LIFE" that come on us?  These might be a bit more tricky, since we don't necessarily see them coming.  Not like checking the forecast before we head out for a run.  

But, we can do some "prep" work in our life to be ready for those times.  Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27 (New Living Translation):

"Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.  

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

Did you notice the similarities between the two?  The rain and winds...the torrents (storms of life) hit both of them.  The one who stood the storm was the one prepared with the proper "gear."  They were WEATHERPROOF.

Are you WEATHERPROOF?  

If not, do what Matthew 7:24-25 says to do, build your life on the SOLID ROCK!

Having a BEST YEAR YET, doesn't mean you will be immune to the "STORMS OF LIFE," but it does mean that the "STORMS" don't have to collapse your life!  I have more to say on this in the not too distant future....but for today, build you life on the SOLID ROCK and have your BEST YEAR YET!

YOU.ARE.WEATHERPROOF!

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• A good protein smoothie
• Missionary friends
• Comfy socks

TIME TO CLIMB

"There is no elevator to success.  You have to take the stairs!"

Zig Ziglar

What is your definition of success?

Does it include:

• A high paying job
• Money in the bank
• Respectful children
• Etc.

Whatever you see as success, and to have a successful BEST YEAR YET, it will take WORK.

Anything that you value (relationships; fitness; job) will take WORK to make sure you are positioned for SUCCESS.

What does it take to "position" yourself for SUCCESS?  Here are some "STEPS TO SUCCESS" :

• HAVE A PLAN
• Many go out and have a DREAM...a wish to how they want it to be, but don't have a plan they can implement or execute to get where they want to go.  Come up with 3 or 4 action items..things you can CONTROL that will put you in position to hit your target

• START
• We said the other day that "the START is what STOPS most people."  After your plan is established, get to the START and GO!

• HAVE CHECK IN POINTS
• Strategic points along the way to make sure you are still on the right path.  Think of it like this:  Your PLAN is your map.  On a map, there are many "roads" but not every road will get you where you want to go.  If you find yourself on a different "road" than what you intended, STOP, look at your "MAP" and get back to the road you need to be on to get to your GOAL. I love this quote:

"When it's obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."

• KEEP CLIMBING
• YOU have to do the WORK.  YOU have to keep climbing.  There is no EASY BUTTON.

So, if you are at the bottom of the the "STAIRS," realize that you cannot make it to the top in one step (unless that is how long your "stairs" are...if this is the case, find some BIGGER STAIRS!)....it's TIME.TO.CLIMB!

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• Our Men/Women in Blue
• My DOG (Bella the Boxer)
• Ability to select what food to eat

60 MINUTES

60 minutes.  3,600 seconds.  1 hour. 

What ALL can you accomplish in an hour?  Get a good workout in?  Clean the house?  Mow the yard?  If you think about it, you can do quite a bit in an hour.

How many hours, in a day, do you just sit and do nothing?  Usually that entails watching TV. Other times, we are just "unhooking" from everything.  You know what I mean.  We have this "Netflix," "Hulu," "Amazon Prime," etc....."On Demand" lifestyle where we binge watch a series...A SERIES over a weekend. 

60 minutes.  3,600 seconds.  1 hour. 

Here's what I want to propose to you....to me...TO ALL OF US TODAY:

• Take one hour...1 HOUR...each day and do something to improve your life (outside of physical activity....let's say that is a given).  What I'm referring to is "personal development."  

Here are 3 things you can do, everyday, that will improve your life:

• Read
• Write
• Think

READ:

There is SO much knowledge out there to be had.  If you don't know how to do something, read about it.  If you want to learn a new language, read about it.  Whatever your area of interest is, I GUARANTEE you...there are MULTIPLE books, articles, etc., on the subject.  Take the time, everyday and READ.  We would tell our boys, when they were young....and even tell them still to this day: READERS ARE LEADERS!  

WRITE:

Put your thoughts down "on paper."  Now, you know that you don't have to "pen and paper" it...but you could.  However you would like to capture your thoughts, EVERYDAY, do it.  Journal at the end of the day.  Journal at the beginning of the day.  Write a blog.  Start on the GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL.  Write poems; write a song; whatever your thing is....JUST WRITE.  You have "something" on the inside of you that needs to get out...whether its for others or just for you to see.  

THINK:

This is the one area of the three that is devalued, in my opinion.  We have thought for years that if I'm not active in doing something, I'm not productive.  But putting yourself into a position to THINK is productive.  Find a place where you are inspired:  Your home office; maybe it's your shower (I usually get GREAT ideas in the shower); Currently, for me, I do most of my most productive thinking "on the run."  In fact, after I get down with this...I'm heading out on a run....to THINK.

Taking the time, everyday, to develop yourself, will put you in position to have your BEST YEAR YET.  Remember, we can't just WISH it to happen, we have to be proactive and MAKE it happen!  

What will you do for an HOUR today?

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• 1 John 1:9
• Compression sleeves for my calves
• Not getting what I deserve (mercy)

AUTHENTICALLY YOU

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something               else is the greatest accomplishment."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Who are you?

Are you YOU or are you trying to be someone else?

I'm sure you have heard the saying, "Keeping up with the Joneses."  I looked up the origin of that phrase and it has been around for a LOOOOONNNNGGGG time.  Prior to 1900 it was used, but became popular via a daily comic by the same name that ran in newspapers from 1913 to 1938.  It depicted a family who were always trying to "keep up" with the lifestyle of their (unseen) neighbors, the Joneses.

Why do we seek the approval of others?  Why do we have to "one up" the neighbors in "STUFF?"

You don't have to "BLEND IN" with everyone else....be you....AUTHENTICALLY YOU!  

Sometimes it hurts to be AUTHENTICALLY YOU.  When you are singing....others want you quiet.  When you are dancing....others want to sit it out.  Will it always be easy?  Hope. Worth it?  AB-SO-LUTE-LY!

Being AUTHENTIC is at the very core of having your BEST YEAR YET.  

You don't have to "fake it 'til you make it!"  Just get busy MAKING IT being REAL.  Be the BEST version of you...everyone else is already taken.

BE AUTHENTICALLY YOU!

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• The smell of fresh cut grass
• A soft blanket on a cold night
• Our military

START SCARED

"The thing that STOPS most people is the START."  Don Shula

It seems like I mention this quote a lot. I cannot tell you how many times I have said this to people who have seemed to be "stuck in the mud" of their lives....their journey.

Our BEST YEAR YET demands that we get out away from the comfort and safety of the "trunk" of the tree and "step out on the limb" BECAUSE "THAT.IS.WHERE.THE.FRUIT.IS!"

Steve Harvey said it best in this 2 minute video, "You Gotta JUMP To Be Successful".  (stop what you are doing and watch this).

START. 

START SCARED.

JUST START!

You got this....YOU can do this.  Maybe you have ran, leaped, and fallen.  Remember our illustration from the other day about the "PATH TO SUCCESS?"  It's not going to always be easy...be a straight shot.  YOU are going to have to break out of your comfort zone and JUMP!

What is it?  Get your plan of action together and then START....JUMP!  

Are you ready to risk and give up the good for the GREAT?  

START SCARED....START TODAY!

JUMP!

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• My Garage 
• Daily Leadership Tips
• Clean Clothes (thank you CHEERLEADER)

DON'T STOP BELIEVING

Journey - Don't Stop Believing (taken from my iPhone)

"Just a small town girl......"

A little over 3 years ago, The CHEERLEADER and I, through the help of our oldest, were able to "check" something off the "LIVE LIST" (I don't want to feel a pressure to get something done before I "kick the bucket"....I want to get them done while I'm LIVING!).  We went and saw the rock band JOURNEY.  

Near the end of the show, they broke out into, arguably, their greatest hit, "Don't Stop Believing."  It was so fun to sing along with this iconic song.  You know me, it got me thinking about life, goals, success, significance, etc., and the mental or belief side to what we do or what we go after.

Many, and for years I would include myself into this category (and still at times today), believe that if the path from "DREAM to REALITY" isn't a straight shot, then it must not either be "the will of God" or "just not my lot in life."

If not careful, we can have a skewed version/vision of what we go through on the way to achieving the goal.  The truth is, your BELIEVING is going to be challenged.  Jesus said, in John 16:33, "...in this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  Have you ever heard, "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor!" ?  

It's not that we look for the trouble, or challenges, or choppy water, etc., but we know we are going to get through them.  It takes PATIENCE. That is such a difficult word for me to swallow.  I.WANT.IT.NOW!  Can I get an "amen!"  BUT, patience is a GREAT fruit to embody.  WE.GOT.THIS.  YOU.GOT.THIS.

DON'T STOP BELIEVING!

Don't let challenges, circumstances, ANYTHING, stop what you have on your heart to accomplish this BEST YEAR YET.  

As we progress in our journey, do your best to stay grounded to what your believe!  HOLD ON....your "finish line" is just ahead!

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• Rain Coats 
• Breath Mints (I'm not sure if this is for me or for others!)
• Entertainment

If you have been following along, today is my day 11 of "21 Days of Gratitude."  Each day I have 3 different things I'm grateful for and I share them right here.  How about you?  What are you grateful for?  I would encourage you to start picking out 3 things, each day, write them down and thing about the gratitude you have.  It is a GREAT exercise to go through....trust me, you will be the better for it!