Fortitude

I heard a preacher say that, “on the other side of your pain is success.” Most of us would choose a life free from pain and adversity. We would choose a life that doesn’t require any courage under fire. Interesting enough, it’s in the fire that we find out how much we can endure. It is in our weakness, we find our strength. It is in challenging times, we find our fortitude.

2/12

Moses sent out twelve scouts into the Promised Land. Of the twelve, only two came back with a good report. How is it that all twelve went to the same place and saw the same things, but only two saw things differently? Perspective. How are you viewing your current situation? Are you focusing on the obstacles? Are you seeing your current challenges as momentary setbacks? Do you see the glass half full? A positive outlook on a negative situation can change your life. How are your current struggles preparing you? Are they building character or perseverance? Maybe, God is building your faith. No matter what you are currently experiencing, try to have 2/12 vision. See things from God’s point of view.

Zealous

What do you have an active interest in? What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your downtime? Where would you volunteer? What cause would you donate to? What organizations do you support? The answer to these questions is where your passion lies. Your passion is a byproduct of your purpose. Pursue your passion until your passion pursues you. Be zealous!

Yes

Shonda Rhimes issued a challenge in her book, The Year of Yes. Say "yes" for a year. She chronicles how saying "yes" changed her life. My immediate thought was that there is no way you can say "yes" for a year. There has to be some balance. Rhimes explains that she had to learn when to say "yes" and when to say "no," and often times she was saying "no" to the very things she should be saying "yes" to. It's a hard balance. Many of us don't learn this lesson until our bodies physically tell us "no!" We should evaluate every opportunity through the capacity lens. What is the capacity lens? The capacity lens asks the question,"just because you are capable, do you have the capacity? What will this "yes" take from me and is it worth it? Am I operating on a full tank or a quarter tank? Am I giving out of my abundance or my need?" There's nothing wrong with saying "no," but make sure that you are saying "yes" for the right reasons. 

When

When I get older...when I get married...when I have kids...when I get more money...when I have more time...when I get a better job...when I get a new car...when things lighten up...when the kids are gone...when I lose this weight. Our lives are filled with when's that double as excuses. We create obstacles before we ever get started. We are our own biggest enemies. We hinder our own progress. When does this endless cycle change? Now! Change your perspective. Change your mind. Change your attitude. When? Today. Do better. Be better. 

Valid

We all want to feel like our feelings are valid. We want to know that our actions are justified. We want to know that others understand us. We want people to empathize with us. It's only natural. However, we must graduate from validation to prudence. For some of us, we may have to recognize that our validation may not come from the sources we seek. Our validation is internal. Maturity is the wisdom in knowing that while our feelings might be valid, certain actions are not. Find comfort in knowing that you have the right to feel how you feel, but feelings don't always have to translate into actions.

Unicorn

I love unicorns! Always have. Always will. Recently, unicorns have gained popularity. You can find unicorn inspired anything almost anywhere. I was gifted a unicorn pool inflatable. Needless to say, it was a hit at the pool and kids alike. Unicorns are mythical animals represented as a horse with a single straight horn projecting from its forehead. Unicorns are usually things that are hard to attain. They are sometimes referred to as the "perfect catch." A unicorn might be a guy or girl over a certain age that has never been married or doesn't have kids. Unicorns are special. They are a rarity. What is rare in your life?  What do you deem special? Take the time today to appreciate those unique special things in your life that you may have taken for granted recently.  Love the unicorn in your life. Celebrate it!