Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear.

'Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are.'
~ Henry Van Dyke

Many spend their day to day moments in the pursuit of happiness, like a search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Many ask the question, what will make me happy? A new car, or new clothes.. a different job or partner or even a vacation. The questions continue, why can’t I just feel happy? What is wrong with me? Many look outward in search of the answer, or spend the day blaming unhappiness on those around them. My boss yelled at me and ruined my day, I’d be so much happier if I quit. The kids are driving me crazy, I can’t wait for them to grow up. The neighbor’s lawn is overgrown, how can they live like that?

Too many focus self worth and happiness on others opinions of them, and what they are doing and often spend too much time comparing their lives to their hundreds of Facebook friends that seem to have it all together, living lives filled with laughter and fun. What makes them happy?

How can anyone find happiness in a chaotic world, surrounded by material 'feel good' answers, comparing to each person who walks by and seeking validation of happiness from the outer world? Is it possible to focus inward, instead of outward, when being blasted with information and opinions through various media sources daily?  Quiet is not our natural state, it is something we have to demand of ourselves. Is quiet the source of happiness or the vehicle to find it?

Quiet is necessary in order to look inward for problem resolution. It is there we find that pain, unhappiness and discontent is attributed to some form of non-acceptance or resistance to reality. Accepting and honoring the present moment, and allowing it to just be, can provide inner freedom from outward conditions, and lead us to a state of inner peace. The more accepting of the present moment, the more we are free from pain, unhappiness and suffering. Work with the present moment as if we had chosen it, be empowered, take control of you and seek answers from within. Your life may forever change, ultimately finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Happiness.

You don't need anything to be happy.The ultimate myth about happiness is believing you should place your happiness in things beyond yourself. People believe that happiness will come along when they get a new car, a new job, or a new relationship. But in the end these external sources of happiness are fleeting.

We are responsible for our happiness. We don’t feel our circumstances, we feel our thinking. So, let yourself experience happiness by thinking differently about life.

From deep down inside, consider what success means to you. Not the version of what other people want you to do, or what you believe based on social standards, but your personal definition of what a successful life would be. Many define success based on money, status and prestige. Not that these are inherently bad, but defining in these terms often leaves you stuck in a place of lack and insignificance, often getting in the way of personal growth. Appreciate life, live it to the fullest, contribute something to the world. Define yourself by something deeper than your career or possessions. You can enjoy the world while you are trying to change it. Success is more about the journey than the destination. When life is no longer enjoyable, it is time to assess the path we are on and what direction to take. We are more likely to reach greater success when we are driven by a deep and burning reason why. 

Listen to your inner voice. Be inspired to pursue your dreams and discover the impact you are meant to have. Life isn't about what you can have, it's about what you have to give.

Daily Love, Deeper Thoughts

You are confined only by the walls you build yourself. Control your mind and conquer your fear. Your summary of life should not contain any of these three descriptions, could have, might have or should have.

Two basic emotions drive force behind each thought, each inspiration and that rare, yet pivotal, life changing decision. Fear. And love. However, these emotions are intertwining forces. In order to feel passionately about something, fear and love coexist.

At the end of the day we have two life lists, the things we actually did and those we wish we did. One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make it worth watching.

Celebrate the unheralded moments that make up your life. Those are the moments that cumulatively create a life well lives.

To enjoy my life today, I must be present. It's the leap that counts. Not the landing, not the results, and not what others think about your journey.

I enjoy my life today.

Organized Chaos

Deflated. Giving 110% in each aspect of life only to realize that my best just isn't good enough. Not at that moment it wasn't. A solid sense of failure sets in. Instantaneous deep thoughts and soul searching occurs to determine what I could have done better, how can I be the best I can be in all I am doing and to those around me in a time of such chaos. A multitude of emotions drip over me. I keep going, I push harder than yesterday, I reevaluate and try again. It is the only answer.

Keeping a game face all of the time can be exhausting, even for the utmost perfectionists. I, too, have the need to just be from time to time. To remove the shield that surrounds me, to feel and breathe and speak directly, in a manner less politically correct than my norm. This may come as a surprise to some, as it is part of me to be fully composed, reacting in a calm, realistic manner and taking a big picture view in every situation. How is it that I fully understand the inability to be perfect, yet I require myself to be?

Living in stress, organized chaos surrounding and turning the corner to realize, I don't need to be consumed by it. I don't need to allow this to control me. A changing of the seasons, colors change, a new leaf turned. Each day reveals a fresh layer, new experience, emotion and insight. Risk and sacrifice, many fear those words but I, I have found comfort in them. Knowing that step by step, risk and leaps and sacrifices, I will succeed. That said, after twelve and a half years of service to the company which I stepped down in position from to return to school, I gave full notice. Working my way up in success to management, back to part time in another area and now leaving the company and entire industry to pursue the direction of my studies, nutrition. A sense of peace, yet again, this is the right decision. Starting Invictus, LLC as a nutrition consultant opened the door to now partnering with  a local supplement and nutrition store in Denver to offer independent nutrition consulting and coaching, writing plans for their clients. In order to be successful in this path, in order to provide for myself and have the ability to cover living expenses come June when the loan funds have disappeared, most of all in order to build the foundation for my business and create success, I must give 100% of myself. It allows the flexibility to maintain school hours and studies, yet I continue to flounder in an attempt to actually have a schedule, it is slowly progressing. I have the opportunity to wake up every day and know that I am going to help people, I am going to change lives. That is powerful. That holds more meaning and value that any extreme paycheck would offer. That makes me happy. Not to say I don't have a learning curve ahead, I do, and I will take the challenge, absorb all information possible, grow and continue to be a better me for others, and their success. Suddenly the stress and overwhelming feelings that have consumed me these last weeks have lightened in weight. I am doing the right thing. 

Training for competition, choosing to do the NPC Bikini Division another time, instead of the next level up, provides a sense of relief. My personal goals in competing is to be a better me than yesterday, better physically, stronger mentally, than the last time on stage. It is not an easy journey for anyone, mind, body, soul, all incorporated during these weeks of training. I choose not to put my fate in the judges hands to tell me what place I am, when I step on stage knowing I've given every ounce of me and more, I know my place. I am there to show my work and be proud of me and all of those standing near who have worked so hard to reach their goals. While I look forward to the finish line, I appreciate the journey. This is where I learn, this is where I grow, this is where I come across the path of many others who are in need of that motivation or support, or provide it to me when I didn't even realize I needed it. 

Find success through who you are, not someone else. Create yourself. Allow the seasons to change and be adaptable and resilient enough to change with them, it is amazing where you find yourself.